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

1- Stefano Eranio

Italy and AC Milan midfielder was set to be part of the 1994 World Cup, however, a last minute injury deprived him of the opportunity and instead Nicola Berti was called up as his replacement.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 31, August 1991

(Stefano Eranio)

2- Jose Toure

France and Nantes’ Jose Toure was in line to be selected for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, however, a serious injury midway through the season ended his World Cup hopes.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 71, March 1986

(Jose Toure)

3- Ray Clemence

English goalkeeper Ray Clemence was unlucky to be part of the English Football Generation that failed to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups.

He was selected for the 1982 World Cup, however, Peter Shilton was the starter and Clemence saw no action.

Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 5, August 1980

(Ray Clemence)

4- Nicolae Ungureanu

Romania defender Nicolae Ungureanu participated and helped Romania qualify for the 1990 World Cup by playing in the crucial qualifier vs. Denmark on November 15, 1989. However, he was out of favor shortly thereafter and did not play for Romania again.

Photo From: Panini, Euro 84

(Nicolae Ungureanu)

5- Johnny Bosman

Dutch forward Johnny Bosman narrowly missed out in making the Finals squad for the 1990 World Cup and was out of reckoning despite earning sporadic caps in the next few years.

When Ruud Gullit left the Dutch camp prior to departure for the 1994 World Cup, Dutch Manager Dick Advocaat called up Bosman as Gullit’s replacement.

However, in the World Cp itself, Bosman saw no action.

 

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 104, October-November 1988

(Johnny Bosman at Mechelen, 1988/89)

Honorable Mention:

Players who participated in a World Cup match but their presence was limited and negligible that would be considered tantamount to a non-presence.

Gunter Netzer

The West German maestro Gunter Nezter had been the hero of the 1972 Euros but at the 1974 World Cup, Wolfgang Overath started ahead of him.

Nezter’s only contribution in the World Cup was coming on as a substitute in the last 20 minutes of the match vs. East Germany (June 22, 1974, World Cup, West Germany 0-East Germany 1).

 Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, September October 1977
(Gunter Nezter with Overath, June 22, 1974, World Cup, West Germany 0-East Germany 1)

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, September October 1977
(Gunter Nezter, June 22, 1974, World Cup, West Germany 0-East Germany 1)