Youre staying at home Premier League XI of stars missing the World Cup
20 Nov 2009 - 13:54:09
The greatest show on earth starts seven months from now but there are going to be several notable absentees when the World Cup kicks off in South Africa next June.
Oh no...Emmanuel Adebayor suddenly realises he'll have to watch The One Show this summer rather play in the World Cup for Togo
With the world looking on 32 countries will fight it out to be crowned champions - but there will be a whole host of real talent we enjoy seeing play in the Premier League sat at home watching it on TV, just like us.
Rather than showing off their ability to the millions watching all over the globe some of the best players in our domestic league will have to wait another four years before they can play at the next World Cup - in Brazil.
Sportsmail takes a look at the best of the unlucky ones.
Shay GivenIn fine form for Manchester City and will feel aggrieved at goingout in the play-offs after remaining redundant for the majority of the210 minutes against France.
John O'SheaManchester United and Ireland's versatile defender sufferedheartache in the cruelest way, in a playoff, at hand of Thierry Henry.
Down and out in Paris: Shay Given
Brede Hangeland The Fulham and Norway captain finished second in Group Nine butmissed out due to the group comprised just four teams and they did notmake the playoffs.
Tomas Vermaelen Arsenal's goalscoring centre-half finished fourth in Group Five with Belgium as they missed out on successive tournaments.
No play after May: Belgium and Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen
Vedran CorlukaCroatia failed to recreate the form that saw them qualify for thelast European Championships as the Spurs defender's side finished thirdin Group Six.
Andrey ArshavinArsenal man sits out this World Cup after coming second in Group Four behind Germany and then dropping out on away goals to Slovenia.
Muscled out: Russia's Andrey Arshavin (right) was knocked out of the World Cup by Slovenia and Bojan Jokic
Darren Fletcher Scotland fell well short in tricky Group Nine, ending the qualifiers in third - don't mention Chris Iwelumo to the Scots skipper and Manchester United utility man.
Luka ModricTottenham midfielder missed some vital qualifiers through injury as Croatia failed to qualify for the first time since 1994 - and conceded nine goals to England in just two matches.
How am I going to spend the summer? Darren Fletcher ponders his time off along with Kenny Miller (right)
Craig BellamyInspirational form for Manchester City but another star who will sit it out as Wales failed to make it through - again. No World Cup Finals since 1958 for them.
Dimitar BerbatovThe Manchester United striker will have the whole summer to rest after Bulgaria finished behindItaly and Ireland in their qualifying group
Not invited to the party: Bulgaria duo Dimitar Berbatov (right) and Martin Petrov
Emmanuel AdebayorManchester City's Togolese striker fails to make his World Cup bow after his country won just six points from eight matches and finished third in Africa Group A.
ON THE BENCH...Petr CechChelsea's stopper sits out this World Cup after the Czech Republic came third in Group Three - four points behind second-placed Slovenia.
Martin PetrovBulgaria finished third in Group Eight so Manchester City's talented left-winger fails to appear at his first World Cup Finals.
I can't believe it: Robbie Keane reflects on missing out on the World Cup
Gareth BaleA fringe-player at Spurs but regular for Wales who finished a disappointing fourth in their qualifying group - 10 points off a play-off place.
Yuri ZhirkovChelsea's winger played in nine of the qualifiers and both play-offs but misses out on his first World Cup after defeat to Slovenia.
Robbie KeaneThe Spurs skipper was unable to stop Ireland droppping out in the play-off despite his first-half strike in the second leg against France.
Yossi BenayounA disappointing series of results left the Israelis in fourth spot of Group Two and the Liverpool man with a summer of leisure.
EduardoWill get more matches for Arsenal after the recent injury to Robin van Persie but is another Croatian star to miss out next summer.
Thierry Henry is not a cheat, says England star David BeckhamAngry Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given blasts 'cheat' Thierry Henry after suffering World Cup play-off heartbreak in Paris'Morticia Addams doctor' who used placenta cure on Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City stars goes missing'I almost played for England': Arsenal star came close to joining Three LionsVIRALS: Thierry Henry's cheating hand suffers at the hands of Internet jokers
Explore more:People:Robbie Keane, Andrey Arshavin, Martin Petrov, Emmanuel Adebayor, CRAIG BELLAMY, Brede Hangeland, Dimitar Berbatov, Shay Given, Yuri Zhirkov, Darren Fletcher, Gareth Bale, ThomasVermaelen, Robin van Persie, Luka Modric, John O'Shea, Thierry HenryPlaces:Paris, Liverpool, Wales, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, South Africa, Russia, France, Brazil, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Croatia, Belgium, Ireland, United Kingdom
