The FIFA World Cup which is arguably the biggest footballing competition in the planet will be taking place next year in Russia.
For over a year now top footballing nations have been in contention of securing a place for the elite competition.
And while 'Boys' have been separated from 'men' - the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers comes with huge surprises that we be taking a look at.
NAIJ.com take a look at the top 6 nations that will not be playing in the FIFA 2018 World Cup
1. Italy: Gli Azzurri have always been a seeded in any FIFA organized competition they are participating in, as they have won the FIFA world an amazing four times. However, 'The Blues' will not be going to Russia next year ( at least not as a participant) as they crashed out in the playoff draws to Sweeden.
What went wrong for Italy?
What really went wrong for Italy? (photo: EPA)
A group consisting of both Spain and Italy no doubt is expected to be a tough one as both teams are footballing giants. Spain however showed class by winning all their matches except a 1-1 away draw to Italy.
While the Azzurri's lost away to Spain, and fumbled in a 1-1 home draw to Macedonia that condemned them to a playoff place.
A sad goodbye for Buffon (photo: GETTY)
Also in the playoff's Italy should have avoided a lost at all cost to the Swedes in the first fixture, but they did not and now the reality is before us. We are heading to a World Cup without Italy.
2. Chile: Current Copa America champions Chile are also among the big teams that will surprisingly be missing out of the 2018 World Cup. As they finished 6th position in their qualifying group of 10 teams.
The Copa American champions performed woefully at the qualifiers
What went wrong for Chile?
Despite the 'arsenal' of talents at Chile, they will not feature at next year's World Cup
One cannot argue that the Chileans have not been extremely woeful in their World Cup qualifying campaign winning just 2 out of the 9 away games they played in the qualifying series - yet without winning all of their home games.
3. United State of America: The United State might not be a top footballing nation globally, but as long as football in North America is concern - they are a force to be reckoned with.
What went wrong for the United States of America?
Bruce Arena's men disastrous away form is out that cannot easily be over looked as The Yanks did not win any away games out of the five they played. And in the end they finished the campaign in the 5th position, a position that could not even guarantee them a playoff place.
4. Ghana: The Black Stars of Ghana are among the list of surprising teams that will not be participating in the 2018 as they fail to make it out of Group E in the World Cup qualifying rounds
The Black Stars of Ghana will not be in the World Cup
.What went wrong for The Black Stars?
Ghana might want to cast blames in the South African referee Daniel Bennett's decision - denying them of a stoppage time goal in the game against Uganda in Kamapala. That decision alone should not be the reason for their absent in the World Cup as they have been woeful in the qualifiers.
5. Ivory Coast:
Russia 2018 will be without the big Elephants
Despite the international retirement of star man Didier Drogba the Ivorian national team still boast of talents and they will have theirselves to blame as they also failed to make it to the FIFA 2018 World Cup.
6. Netherlands: The dutch team absent from the elite footballing tournament is still a huge shock to followers of the game, as the Orange Boys boast of class footballers.
Brace yourself for a World Cup with the Orange boys
The world woes saw a host of their top stars resigned from the national team.
Nigeria Super Eagles qualify for 2018 FIFA World cup - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Sports.naija.ng