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A treasure trove of famous and forgotten stories of the greatest teams that failed to qualify for the World Cup – from the 1950s to the 21st century – told together for the first time.


From continental giants that became inexplicable absentees to heartbreaking tales of underdogs coming oh-so-close to a place on the world stage, these are stories that stand alone as remarkable accounts of misfortune, whether through refereeing decisions, late goals or even global politics.


Read and discover:


• Tales from around the world, including major powerhouses falling short and outsiders battling against the odds

• How some of the greatest players of all time failed to reach the World Cup, including Alfredo di Stéfano, George Best, Eric Cantona and George Weah

• How Johan Cruyff could easily have joined this list, but for a moment of controversy in a deciding qualifier

• Classic tales of woe for the home nations, including Scotland in 1970, England in 1978 and Wales in 1986

• A special insight into African sides as the author draws on his expertise on the subject


Together, these captivating stories create a patchwork that tells the tale of the trials and tribulations of World Cup qualifying, one of the greatest challenges in world football.