New Addition: The Best Players to never appear in a World Cup, Part one

A new addition about star players who for various reasons missed out on playing in the World Cup

1- Fernando Chalana

Portuguese midfielder Fernando Chalana was at his height in the 70s and early 80s with Benfica. The Portuguese National team did not qualify for any World Cups in the 1970s. Chalana did inspire Portugal during the 1984 European Championships and earned a move abroad to Bordeaux. However, long term injuries hampered his career there. By the time 1986 World Cup arrived (that Portugal qualified), Chalana was out of national team reckoning.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 53, August 1984

(Fernando Chalana during the 1984 Euros)

2- Hallvar Thoresen

Norwegian forward Hallvar Thoresen was one of Norway’s success stories when it came to players playing abroad. He was successful in the 1980s in Dutch Football with Twente Enschede and specially giants PSV Eindhoven.

However, the Norway National Team did not qualify for any World Cups during his playing days. Once the renaissance of Norway Footbball started in the early 90s, Thoresen had already retired.

Photo From: World Soccer, October 1981

(Hallvar Thoresen celebrating, September 9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Norway 2-England 1)

3- Angelo Peruzzi

Juventus goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi was to be Italy’s starting goalkeeper for the 1998 World Cup. However, he suffered an unfortunate injury just weeks before the Tournament and was ruled out of the World Cup. He was a member of Italy’s victorious 2006 World Cup squad, but did not play any matches.

Photo From:  Football Italia, May 1997

(Angelo Peruzzi)

4- Uwe Rahn

West German forward Uwe Rahn starred for Borussia Moenchengladbah in the 1980s. He was one of the new caps in 1984, when Franz Beckenbauer took over as Manager.

Beckenbauer selected him for the 1986 World Cup, however, he did not play a single match.

Photo From:  Fussball Magazin, Issue 5, May 1987

(Uwe Rahn)

5- Jan Peters

Dutch International midfielder Jan Peters had his best years in the 1970s and early 80s, when he starred for NEC Nijmegen and AZ ‘67 Alkmaar. He was a key member of the AZ squad that won the League title in 1981.

He was selected after the 1974 World Cup and would have been in line for the 1978 tournament. However, he was not selected and Holland did not qualify for the 1982 World Cup.

Photo From:  Voetbal International, August 25-30, 1980

(Jan Peters)