Top 10 Players Not Going To the 2010 FIFA World Cup

There is nearly always a high profile team that does not go to the World Cup, in 2006 it was Greece's Gekas, Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Nigeria's Yakubu, and this year it is Russia, Czech Republic and Croatia.

I will be writing about the top ten players who won't be attending the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a player. Hope you enjoy.

10. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

Bilyaletdinov is a young and talented left winger who recently signed for Everton FC. He has impressed so far this season with his skillful play and great assists.

This season hasn't gone to plan for Everton, but Bily, as he is known, has been a shining light for the Merseyside club. In his 13 appearances, he has managed three goals and four assists.

Bilyaletdinov helped Russia to a 2-1 first leg victory over Slovenia in their play-off in which he scored both goals, but in the second leg Slovenia won the match and went to the finals on the away goals rule dashing the hopes of Bilyaletdinov and the whole of Russia.

Hopefully, he can still have a great first season in the Premier League with Everton.

9. Petr Cech

The first choice Chelesa goal keeper won't be going to his second World Cup in a row after his beloved Czech Republic had a horrible qualifying campaign.

Petr has always been rated as one of the best goal keepers in the Premier League and with good reason too.

He has been pretty solid for Chelsea in his time there but some things haven't turned out that well.

In October 2006, Cech's career was threatened when following a sickening collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt, he suffered a fractured skull. This ruled him out of action for three months, during which time Chelsea's defensive record deteriorated.

The goalkeeper now has to wear protective head-gear as a precaution and he freely admits he may continue to wear it for the remainder of his career.

Over than that he has been a solid goalkeeper for Chelsea and Czech Republic but would be a bit disappointed that his team did not qualify for the World Cup.

8. Goran Pandev

Goran Pandev is Macedonia's biggest name in regards to football. He is not not getting game time because of a tussle with Lazio, who were not willing to accept offers for him under 19 million.

Nonetheless, the talented Macedonian striker is his country's top goal scorer.

He won't be going to the World Cup after his Macedonian side finished second from bottom with seven points.

Hopefully, we will be able to see this talent at the World Cup very soon.

7. Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor wont be going to the World Cup this year after Togo had a disappointing qualifying campaign. Adebayor has been the star for Togo for a while now and is still pretty young.

Adebayor had already played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup but failed to score, so next qualifying campaign he can guide his team to the World Cup and then maybe score a goal or two.

6. Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko burst onto the scene last season with very impressive performances for his club side Wolfsburg, in which he guided along with striker partner Grafite to the German Bundesliga title.

His impressive club form was reflected upon for country Bosnia, whom he guided into second place ahead of Turkey with nine goals.

Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for them to qualify and were eliminated in the play-offs by Portugal.

Edin Dzeko is now being trailed by a number of big clubs including Man Utd, Arsenal and AC Milan.

Edin is a player for the future and hopefully we will be seeing him in Brazil in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

5. Antonio Valencia

Antonio Valencia finally made his long-awaited move to a big club, happening to be Manchester United. He has been a solid signing for Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring five and assisting five in 18 games.

Ecuador had a solid qualifying campaign but just finished outside the playoff places. Hopefully we will see him at Brazil in 2014 .

4. Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar won't be going to the World Cup after his Bulgaria side had a disappointing time in their qualifying campaign. This could be Dimitar's last chance because he isn't getting any younger.

Nonetheless, Berbatov hasn't been in the best of form, with club side Man Utd only managing four goals in 17 appearances.

I hope to see him in the World Cup in 2014 but I can't see that happening as he will be 33.

3. Luka Modric

I was very disappointed to hear that Ukraine qualified ahead of Croatia and I was even more disappointed because it meant that Luka Modric, after not being chosen for the 2006 World Cup squad, will again not be able to show his skills to the world.

Hopefully he will be in Brazil 2014 showing his ability for what could be his final time.

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan will be disappointed that he won't be going to the World Cup after a very disappointing qualifying campaign which saw Sweden finish below Portugal and Denmark.

The talented striker has been in magnificent form of late and proving the critics wrong with 11 goals in 17 appearances.

His age may be a barrier and the 2006 FIFA World Cup might as well be his last. But I hope that we will see him in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

1. Andrei Arshavin

It was a hard decision to pick number one but I gave it to Andrei. Russia had a strong World Cup qualifying campaign finishing second in their group behind Germany.

In the play-offs they cam up against Slovenia hoping to qualify for their second-ever World Cup which happened. The whole Russian team was disappointed, as was Guus Hiddink.

Arshavin's talent might never be shown at the World Cup because he is 28 meaning if Russia do qualify, Arshavin would be 33 and past his best, but nonetheless I really do wish that Russia qualify for 2014 and we get to see Arshavin's talent for the first and last time on the world stage.

Honourable Mentions

And the honourable mentions are ...

Marouane Fellaini
Christian Benitez
Kenweyne Jones
John Carew
Stilijan Petrov
Christopher Samba
Johan Elmander
Yuri Zhirkov
Brede Hangeland
Damien Duff
Shay Given
Benjani
Vincent Kompany
Tuncay
Lorik Cana
Niko Kranjacr
Hugo Rodallega