The World Cup kicks off June 14, in Russia, and over the next couple of weeks, teams will be making final adjustments and decisions regarding who will be making the trip.

Debates over which players should be picked, whether or not to go for youth over experience, and how team chemistry will work out are just some of the issues facing head coaches. But only 32 teams are actually taking part in the competition, which means the vast majority will be jealously watching from home.

Among those not taking part are some of the best players in the world at club-level.

Some were victims of under-performing national teams. Others are simply from weaker nations.

So as a consolation, we put together a team of the best non-participants in this year's World Cup. To make things fair, a country will only have one representative and the formation used will be 4-3-3 because - well - it allows us to fit the best players.

The best of the rest

Goalkeeper: Between the sticks, we have Jan Oblak of Athletico Madrid and Slovenia. Only in his mid-twenties, Oblak has already carved out a reputation as a formidable presence in goal and is widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the world today.

Defenders: Starting with wing-backs, on the left side stands David Alaba. The Austrian captain has been a mainstay at Bayern Munich during their recent domestic dominance of the league.

On the right, Ecuador's Antonio Valencia mans the helm. Formerly a winger, the Manchester United man converted to right-back and has never looked back, with his darting runs down the touchline and probing crosses into the box. In the middle is a Dutch-Italian connection. Virgil Van Dijk may play for Southampton but the Dutchman's performances have drawn the attention of many major clubs including Liverpool and Barcelona.

With him is Leonardo Bonucci, who follows the tradition of excellent Italian defending and is currently linked to Manchester United.

Midfielders: All three midfielders selected have an attacking flair to them. Slovakia's Marek Hamsik is a leader for not only his country but also his club of Napoli. Joining him from the Serie A is Miralem Pjanic from Juventus and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Technically gifted, Pjanic is in the mold of Andrea Pirlo, with the ability to create plays from a deeper position. Then we have the American Christian Pulisic. Plying his trade at Borussia Dortmund, this fleet-footed player may be small in stature, but his movement and intelligence make him a brilliant creator and foul-magnet.

Forwards: Then we come to the big hitters. Chile was a surprise force in the last World Cup, exiting the competition only after losing to Brazil on penalties. Unfortunately, they failed to gather enough points in their last qualification games this time and ultimately will be absent in Russia. And that means Alexis Sanchez will not be gracing the field with his tenacity and dedication after a disappointing season at Manchester United.

Opposite Sanchez on the right wing is Wales', Gareth Bale. One of the fastest players with the ball, the Real Madrid winger managed to inspire his country to a semi-final appearance at the European Championships two years ago. Lastly, spearheading this attack is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Another speed demon, Aubameyang only just moved to Arsenal this year but finished the season with ten goals and four assists in only 13 Premier League games.

What if this team played in the World Cup?

A starting eleven with these players could easily rival any of the big nations. The main worry would be on the defensive end. The midfield lacks a traditional defensive midfielder, making them vulnerable to counters.

Two of the four defenders are also on the wrong side of thirty and may be at risk when facing pacier opponents.

However, regardless of the number of goals conceded, this team was built to attack. Three creative forces in the middle feeding some of the fastest players in the world means goals for days.

And given their average age, this team will still be a force come World Cup 2022.
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