The most prominent players absent from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to injury
Below is a list of the players who were absent from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar from November 20 to December 18 due to injury.
Paul Pogba (France)
Pogba injured his knee during pre-season and underwent surgery in September to repair a meniscus injury.
The 29-year-old has resumed training but on Oct. 31 his agent said the midfielder would not return to playing for Juventus or world champions France before the World Cup in Qatar.
N'Golo Kante (France)
The Chelsea midfielder's hopes have been dealt a major blow during his recovery from a hamstring injury that has forced him to make just two appearances this season.
He will be out for four months after undergoing surgery.
Rhys James (England)
The 22-year-old suffered a knee injury during Chelsea's Champions League match against AC Milan and it seems certain that he will miss the finals after being sidelined for eight weeks.
Diogo Jota (Portugal)
The Liverpool striker will be absent due to a calf injury he sustained during the victory over Manchester City, but coach Jurgen Klopp said he may not need surgery.
Alexander Isak (Sweden)
The Newcastle striker's injury has worsened while recovering from a thigh injury, and coach Eddie Howe has said he will miss the World Cup.
Pedro Neto (Portugal)
The 22-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers winger will undergo ankle surgery due to an injury against West Ham United in October.
Aboubacar Camara (France)
The Aston Villa midfielder suffered a knee injury in September and will miss the World Cup.
Artur Melo (Brazil)
The midfielder, loaned to Liverpool, suffered a muscle injury while preparing to face Rangers in the Champions League in October.
Jesus "Tecateto" Corona (Mexico)
The Sevilla winger fractured his left ankle while training with his Spanish club, La Liga, last August and underwent surgery.
The 29-year-old was named to Mexico coach Gerardo Martino's 31-man squad, but Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli said he could only return to training by December.
Players likely to recover
Below is a list of the group of players likely to recover before the tournament begins.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku injured his hamstring again after returning after a two-month absence.
The 29-year-old, who is Belgium's top scorer, played only 29 minutes in two matches before his injury setback.
Paulo Dybala (Argentina)
Roma coach Jose Mourinho said the Argentine had suffered a "very difficult" thigh injury when he was on his way to taking a penalty against Lecce.
Kyle Walker (England)
The Manchester City defender underwent successful hip surgery at the start of October and the 32-year-old said he was confident to be back in time before traveling to Qatar.
Calvin Phelps (England)
The Manchester City midfielder has missed out with a shoulder problem but may be back before the World Cup.
Ronald Araujo (Uruguay)
The Barcelona defender preferred to undergo thigh surgery at the end of September, and said he had made the decision to get back in shape "as soon as possible".
Angel Di Maria (Argentina)
The Juventus winger will be out until early November with a hamstring injury, with the club saying he needs three weeks to recover.
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