Alexis Sanchez, Sane & 26 stars watching the World Cup from home

Failure to qualify, untimely injuries and unfortunate snubs mean some of the finest talent on the planet will be absent from a Russian showpiece

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  Alexis Sanchez

  The Manchester United forward can focus his full attention of rediscovering his best form at club level this summer following the shock failure of Chile – the 2015 and 2016 Copa America champions – to qualify for Russia 2018.

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  Christian Pulisic

  The bright, young hope of American soccer, and a man very much in demand on the back of his showings for Borussia Dortmund, but a 19-year-old talent who crashed and burned as part of a troubled United States side in qualifying.

• Gareth Bale

  He may have lit up the Champions League final with a stunning two-goal showing off the bench, and helped Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but the Real Madrid star has been denied a global shop window in which to showcase his ability ahead of a possible summer transfer.

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  Anthony Martial

  There was always the threat that a lack of regular starts at Manchester United would cost the 22-year-old dear in World Cup year, and so it proved as France boss Didier Deschamps opted to call upon others from an enviable pool of attacking talent.