2010 FIFA World Cup: Top 10 Teams That Didn't Qualify

Theoretically, the FIFA World Cup is meant to bring together the world's top teams. However, there always seems to be a few of Mother Earth's best that end up missing the party, though many don't care as long as the major powers are present.

For some, it's an indictment on the tournament's qualifying process. Others blame the teams themselves.

Whether you believe certain regions get too many or too few World Cup spots, that there needs to be more intercontinental qualifiers, that some teams just had a run of bad luck, or that they just plain choked, the fact of the matter is that those competing for international football's top prize aren't necessarily the world's top 32 teams.

Here's a look at the best teams kicking back on couches instead of kicking footballs this summer.

10. Gabon

Say what? No, it's not a typo. Seriously, there's a reason the Black Panthers have been ranked as high as third in Africa according to FIFA (though I'm careful not to put too much stock in FIFA's dubious ranking system) during the past year.

They've been on the cusp of a break-out for some time now, and were agonizingly close to pipping Cameroon for a spot in the finals, getting off to a sizzling start before collapsing down the stretch.

They got their revenge at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations though, beating the World Cup-bound Indomitable Lions 1-0 in their opening fixture.

Gabon also boasts a squad loaded with Europe-based talent.

Honorable mentions for this spot include Costa Rica, who've quietly put together a string of impressive performances in pre-World Cup friendlies, Colombia, Romania, and Israel.

9. Czech Republic

Often among the more overrated teams in international football, the Czechs missed out on yet another FIFA World Cup after having finally broken the jinx four years ago.

Their 2-1 loss to Turkey followed by a 4-2 win over the United States, both friendlies earlier this month, is a prime example of the inconsistencies that have plagued the Czechs over the past decade-plus.

Despite consistently fielding one of the more talented squads in Europe, they never quite seem to live up to the hype.

8. Norway

The Norwegians were left cursing their luck for having been drawn into Group Nine in the UEFA zone for World Cup qualifying.

It's the only one that wasn't granted a playoff spot since only five teams comprised the group instead of six.

The Netherlands were run-away winners, leaving the likes of John Arne Riise and John Carew stuck in front of their TV sets this summer.

7. Sweden

Surprise package Denmark's stake on the Group One summit in Europe left favorites Portugal and Sweden to battle for the group's lone playoff spot.

It went right down to the wire, but in the end Sweden fell one point shy of Portugal's 19, denying them a spot in South Africa and denying us a chance to enjoy the likes of Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimović.

The Swedes had missed just one World Cup (1998) since 1990.

6. Ukraine

Ukraine appeared set for a second consecutive berth at the FIFA World Cup finals after leaving Athens with a scoreless draw in the first leg of their qualifying playoff with Greece.

The second leg didn't quite go according to script however. The Greeks left Donetsk with an improbable 1-0 win, and left Andriy Shevchenko and company in shock, with no chance of building on their quarterfinal run from four years ago.

5. Ireland

By now, the entire world is familiar with Thierry Henry's infamous handball in extra time of France's World Cup qualifying playoff with Ireland that sent Les Bleus to the finals, and left Ireland with Les Bleus.

It was a most unfitting conclusion to a brave Irish performance over the two legs.

The Boys in Green appeared fully capable of snatching a winner in Paris, with the match headed for a penalty shootout.

This team is solid, and recent friendly wins over World Cup-bound Paraguay and Algeria (2-1 and 3-0 respectively) will leave already reeling Irish fans wondering "what if?"

4. Turkey

Turkey's absence from the World Cup highlights just how difficult it is to qualify from the UEFA zone.

The Turks finished third at FIFA's showpiece event in 2002, then failed to qualify for the next two editions. But their electrifying semi-final run at Euro 2008 reaffirmed that they're a force to be reckoned with.

Up-and-coming talents like Arda Turan, coupled with the acquisition of sideline maestro Guus Hiddink should boost their already solid chances of being at the 2014 finals in Brazil.

3. Egypt

Seven times African Champions, including unprecedented back-to-back-to-back triumphs the last three editions, yet absent from this and the past six FIFA World Cup finals.

It's a mystery Egyptians have been trying to figure out for 20 years.

For a nation with such a sparkling trophy cabinet and a solid record outside of Africa (including two fourth-place finishes at the Olympics,) Egypt fans have been starved of World Cup action.

The Pharaohs got off to a woeful start in their 2010 qualifying campaign, but buoyed by impressive performances versus Brazil and Italy at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, stormed back, only to fall just short in a tense playoff loss to bitter North African rivals Algeria.

2. Russia

The magic of Dutch tactician Guus Hiddink and the stylings of talents like Arsenal striker Andrei Arshavin: Sounds like a match made in football heaven, right?

Well it was, for a while. But Russia couldn't build on its impressive Euro 2008 run, failing to win its qualifying group over Germany, then crashing out of the qualifiers altogether after losing out on the away goals tie-breaker in a playoff with Slovenia.

It was both a surprising and disappointing end to what seemed to be Russia's best chance at finally reaching elite status on the international football scene.

1. Croatia

The Croatians have been a mainstay on the international football scene ever since the Davor Šuker-led side that took third prize at France '98.

Though they haven't quite been able to duplicate those exploits, they've at least been present at every continental (save for 2000) and World Cup finals tournament since, even winning their Euro 2008 group. But in 2010, the checkered-clad Vatreni fell one point short of a playoff berth, and succumbed to upstart England a combined 9-2 in their two matches.

Boasting players that play for clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich, one wouldn't expect to see the Croatians far from the international spotlight for too long.