Ciro Immobile, the well-travelled Italy international will not be setting the world alight at the 2018 World Cup. Due to the current way in which teams qualify for the tournament, Italy didn’t qualify whereas other weaker teams such as Panama are seemingly there just to make up the numbers.
Immobile scored an astounding 29 goals in 33 league games for Lazio this season, making him one of the best strikers in the world right now. Another player not making the tournament is Gareth Bale. Bale scored potentially the best goal in UEFA Champions League Final history with an overhead kick to break Liverpool hearts and because Wales weren’t able to qualify for the tournament he’s got to sit at home to watch.
Immobile and Bale aren’t alone, they are part of a super strong starting 11 of players who aren’t at the tournament and you have to think with this plethora of stars not making the cut, France odds to win world cup have shot up.
To see the strongest starting 11 of players whose teams didn’t make the tournament have a look at the infographic we have put together below.
