The Best Players to never appear in a World Cup, Part Four

1- Asgeir Sigurvinsson

Icelandic midfielder Asgeir Sigurvinsson was one of the first successful exports from his country to make it in the Professional Western Leagues. He had a long spell in the Belgian League with Standard Liege in the 1970s, which led to a transfer to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. After one season there, he had a very successful spell at Stuttgart in the 80s for the rest of his career.

Unfortunately, Iceland were unable to qualify for the Finals of any Tournament during his playing days.

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, June 1986

 (Asgeir Sigurvinsson at Stuttgart, 1985/86)

2- Andrei Kanchelskis

Ukrainian-Born midfielder Andrei Kanchelskis made his International debut during the last years of the Soviet Union, which led to a transfer to Manchester United in 1991.

After the break-up of USSR, he felt his International prospects were better with Russia with the 1994 World Cup approaching. However, after qualification, he was one of the rebels who opposed the Russian Manager Pavel Sadyrin, as a result he missed the chance to participate in the 1994 World Cup. Russia also missed the 1998 World Cup after a play-off loss vs. Italy and Kanchelskis missed his last chance to play in a World Cup.

Photo From: The Game, Issue 3, June 1995

(Andrei Kanchelskis at Manchester United, 1994/95)

3- Julien Cools

Belgian midfielder Julien Cools was a standout in the 1970s with Club Brugge, with whom he won Three League titles with them. Unfortunately, Belgium were unable to qualify for any World Cups (1974, 1978), when he was at his peak.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 28, April 1978

(Julien Cools at Club Brugge)

4- Franck Sauzee

French midfielder (and also defender) Franck Sauzee was a pillar in Michel Platini’s France squad of the late 80s and early 90s that was rebuilding following the retirements of Platini himself, Giresse, etc. He won League titles and the Champions League with Olympique Marseille in those years. His best opportunity would have been the 1994 World Cup, however, the French missed out after a heartbreaking loss to Bulgaria in the last minute. After this loss, he retired from the National Team.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Franck Sauzee, November 17, 1990, EC Qualifier, Albania 0-France 1)

5- Heinz Herrmann

Swiss midfielder Heinz Herrmann was a mainstay of the National Team for over a decade (1978/91) and earned more than a century of caps in the process.

However, the Swiss were unable to qualify for any Finals in that period and by the time of the 1994 World Cup, he was close to retirement and out of International reckoning.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, Issue 91, October 1987

(Heinz Hermann)