With the World Cup fast approaching, the big story I think is the amount of injuries and those not going due to injuries. The only injury issue for USA has been Omar Gonzalez, who should ready to go.
The biggest name not going to the WC is Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but that is because Sweden didn’t qualify as they were eliminated by Portugal in a playoff after qualifying was over. Other big names not going due to failure to qualify is Robert Lewandowski of Poland, Wale’s Gareth Bale, or Czech’s Petr and least we forget those big names that didn’t make the final 23 roster, like USA Landon Donavan, France’s Samir Nasri, Argentina’s Carlos Tevez.
The biggest cause of players, however, not going to Brazil is injuries. The biggest name not going due to injury is France’s Franck Ribery whose bad back will keep him home. France will feel is absence.
Colombia will also be without Radamal Falcao. One of the most prolific strikers in the world, he tore his acl in his knee in January. He was included in the 30 man roster but didn’t get healthy enough for the final 23.
Germany will be without Marcus Reus who partially tore a ligament in his ankle. Germany has others who can fill his role and has no shortage of attacking options, but this will be one less attacking option available to the Germans.
Italy will be with out Ricardo Montlovio and American born Giuseppe Rossi. Belgium wont have young EPL forward Christian Benteke. This is only someone the key players not going to the World Cup. Just read this CBS article if you want to whole list of starts not going to the World Cup.
