The unlucky ones: the best players not going to Brazil

Some players ran out of luck during the Qualification stages

Sweden failed to defy the odds and beat Portugal

How demoralizing it would have been for the so called "stars" to not have qualified for the grandest stage of them all.After all,it's where every footballers' dream to play the FIFA World Cup but destinies and fortunes reverse their desires.We have many instances of these kinds of players.Lets take a look

Zlatan Ibrahimović - Sweden

Age: 32
Position: Striker
Caps/goals: 96/48

Considered by some to be the best striker in the world, Swedish centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimović will certainly be missed at the 2014 World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain man fired his side to the play-off stage, scoring eight along the way. However, they were stopped by Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose three goals in the second leg ensured a 4-2 aggregate win and denied Ibrahimović a third World Cup finals appearance.

Gareth Bale – Wales

Age: 24
Position: Winger
Caps/goals: 43/11

He's the world's most expensive player, but unfortunately for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, a €100million price tag doesn't guarantee you a space at football's premier competition. The Wales international top scored for The Dragons with four goals, but could not prevent his side from finish second-bottom of their qualifying group.

Robert Lewandowksi– Poland

Age: 25
Position: Striker
Caps/goals: 56/18

He might be one of the most prolific strikers in European football, but Robert Lewandowski won't be on show in Brazil. The Borussia Dortmund hitman could only manage three in World Cup qualifying as Poland finished fourth in Group H.

Óscar Cardozo - Paraguay

Age: 30
Position: Striker
Caps/goals: 46/9

Paraguayan forward Óscar Cardozo was denied the chance to appear at his second World Cup, as his side endured a torrid 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Albirroja, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, finished second-bottom of their South American qualifying group.

Marek Hamšík - Slovakia

Age: 26
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps/goals: 68/11

Napoli attacking midfielder Marek Hamšík has developed into one of the most effective operators in European football over the last three seasons, but he'll have to wait to make his second World Cup finals appearance. The Mohawk-sporting playmaker captained Slovakia to the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, but missed out this time with a third-place finish in qualifying Group G.

Stevan Jovetić - Montenegro

Age: 24
Position: Forward
Caps/goals: 30/12

Steven Jovetić's Montengero were denied a place at the World Cup by virtue of their third place finish in UEFA qualifying Group H. The former Fiorentina man's form in recent season earned the forward a move to Manchester City in July 2013, but he'll have to wait at least four more years before he makes his World Cup debut.

Christian Eriksen – Denmark

Age: 21
Position: Midfield
Caps/goals: 42/4

Christian Eriksen  is undoubtedly one of the unluckiest players to feature on this list. The Tottenham Playmaker  spent more minutes on the pitch than any of his teammates during qualifying, as the Danes finished second in their group - normally enough to secure play-off place. However, in accordance with FIFA rules, his nation missed out on a play-off spot by virtue of being the worst performing runners-up.