| 32 of the world's best footballing nations will assemble | | | | to qualify comfortably for the World Cup. They finished |
| in South Africa this summer to compete for the Jules | | | | a close second to Germany in their group and were |
| Rimet Trophy. However there are some teams who | | | | drawn against Slovenia in the playoffs. Leading 2-0 in |
| missed the bus despite being widely expected to | | | | the first leg, Guus Hiddink's men conceded a late away |
| qualify. | | | | goal. It was to cost Arshavin and co. dearly as |
| Here is a look at the list of notable absentees at the | | | | Slovenia knocked them out on away goals by winning |
| 2010 World Cup. | | | | 1-0 in the second leg. |
| Egypt:- Seven time African champions Egypt lost in a | | | | Croatia:- With the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, |
| playoff to bitter North African rivals Algeria. They did | | | | Danijel Pranjic and Darijo Srna in their side, Slaven Bilic's |
| take revenge by annihilating the Desert Foxes months | | | | side should have made it to the finals with ease. |
| later in the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations but | | | | However England, with memories of their failure to |
| nothing will make up for the disappointment of missing | | | | qualify for Euro 2008 still fresh in their mind, whipped |
| out on the world's biggest soccer tournament. | | | | them 5-1 in a decisive qualifier to end their hopes of |
| Russia:- After their heroics at Euro 2008 where they | | | | qualification. |
| knocked out the Netherlands, Russia were expected | | | | |