Salah, Zlatan, Haaland - the biggest stars missing World Cup 2022

Egypt's play-off agony will deprive the finals of one of the game's greatest names

Egypt's Mohamed Salah after failing to score his penalty kick against Senegal as his country went out of the World Cup 2022. AP

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah misses out on Qatar World Cup 2022 after Egypt were knocked out of their play-off on penalties by Senegal. AP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is another huge name to miss out on Qatar after Sweden were beaten 2-0 by Poland in the play-offs. Robert Lewandowski saved, Zlatan stays at home. EPA

David Alaba was on the wrong side as Wales beat Austria 2-1 in the play-offs, meaning no trip to Qatar for the Real Madrid star. PA

The world's top clubs are fighting over Erling Braut Haaland, but he won't be in Qatar after Norway were edged out in the group stage. AFP

Ivory Coast's Wilfried Zaha will be a spectator at the World Cup finals after they missed out on qualifying. PA

Manchester City and Algeria midfielder Riyad Mahrez's expression says it all after their qualifying defeat against Cameroon. AP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang enjoyed signing for Barcelona, but he won't be at the World Cup with Gabon. EPA

Italy's midfielder Marco Verratti reacts at the end of their shock qualifying play-off defeat at home to North Macedonia. AFP

Norway's Martin Odegaard has starred for Arsenal, but he'll have the World Cup off work. EPA

Inter Milan forward Edin Dzeko's Bosnia and Herzegovina missed out on the finals. AFP

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is another of the Italian stars shocked by North Macedonia. Getty

Giorgio Chiellini and Jorginho of Italy can't face the prospect of missing out on Qatar 2022. Getty

While there was play-off joy for Sadio Mane and Senegal, there was despair for Mohamed Salah and Egypt.

Salah has again been one of the globe's outstanding players this season, but his talents will not be on show on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup Finals, later this year.

Some of the biggest names in football had already been knocked out before this week's playoffs, and some will get another chance to get to Qatar.

But for Salah, Erling Braut Haaland, Zlatan Ibrahimovich and a host of other big names, they will be working from home this November and December, watching the finals unfold on television rather than starring on the pitch.

Qualification for the tournament is drawing to a close and above is a gallery of some of the big names who will be missing out. To see the next image, just swipe.