For any player, there is no greater honour than representing your country on the grandest of stages. On Friday afternoon, the world will be eagerly watching as the draw for next summers' World Cup finals in Russia will be revealed at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.

After months of battling it out in qualifiers and play-off's the 32 teams have finally been confirmed and while the likes of Germany, Brazil, Spain and Argentina all successfully booked their spot for next years finals. Some countries just couldn't make the cut and among them sides, we find some of football's biggest stars who also miss out on their chance to shine under the bright lights.

1. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy & Juventus)

For arguably Italy's favourite son, Juventus' iconic number one was unable to write another chapter in his illustrious career. Coming up second best to Sweden in Gli Azzurri's play-off campaign, Italy missed out on their first world cup finals in 60 years and simultaneously saw Buffon announce his international retirement.

Going on to make 175 caps for Italy, Buffon has had an incredible connection with the World Cup, a member of Italy's 1998 squad, the 39-year-old lifted the trophy in 2006 as he inspired his nation to a penalty shoot-out victory over France.

2. Antonio Valencia (Ecuador & Manchester United)

A man who has quickly turned himself into arguably Jose Mourinho's most consistent defender, his performances last season saw the Ecuadorian international voted the players' player of the year at Old Trafford. Sadly for the current Manchester United skipper, the 32-year-old could not inspire Ecuador to what would have been his third consecutive finals.

Finishing eighth in the South American qualifying group, Ecuador were six points adrift in a playoff spot and eventually fell to an Argentina side inspired by a Lionel Messi hat-trick.

3. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands & Southampton)

For the Dutch, another disappointing qualifying campaign has now seen them miss the last two major tournaments.

Failing to make the cut for Euro 2016, Holland is another notable absentee from next years finals, they're also a side trying to desperately rebuild. Although van Dijk and co may have beaten Sweden 2-0 in the final Group A match, Holland fell short on goal difference, finishing third in the group.

On a positive note for van Dijk, although he will be missing next years World Cup, the wantaway centre-back will have plenty of time to hatch up a new escape plan from St. Mary's.

4. Leonardo Bonucci (Italy & AC Milan)

Like his former team-mate, the AC Milan defender is another one of Italy's biggest names to miss out on next years tournament. A winner of seven Serie A titles, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a stellar domestic career.

Now plying his trade with AC, last year Bonucci was voted in UEFA's Team of the Year.

Making his national debut in 2010, Bonucci has become a veteran of Azzurri's defence, with 75 caps to his name. After finishing runners-up at Euro 2012, Bonucci will be unable to improve on that result at the World Cup.

5. David Alaba (Austria & Bayern Munich)

During his seven years at Bayern Munich, the versatile left-back has run rampant at domestic level. At the Allianz, Alaba is a winner of six Bundesliga titles and also has a Champions League winners' medal on his resume. Making his international debut as a 17-year-old, the man from Munich is still the youngest player to represent Austria.

Despite being voted as Austria's Footballer of the Year for six consecutive years, Alaba's international career has failed to reach the same hights as his domestic life.

With his only experience at a major tournament ending in embarrassment at Euro 2016, Austria will not be able to make amend next summer. Austria eventually finished fourth in Group D, six points behind group winners Serbia.

6. Arturo Vidal (Chile & Bayern Munich)

At least the Bayern Munich midfielder will have some company next year. Much like Gareth Bale has done for Wales, Arturo Vidal has quickly transformed himself into the poster boy of Chilean football. After successful spells with both Juventus and Bayern, Vidal has won six consecutive league titles in Serie A and the Bundesliga, he is also regarded as one of the best midfielders on the planet.

For Chile, they came agonizingly close to cementing their spot at next years World Cup.

Vidal had to sit out of his nations crucial final match against rivals Brazil, watching from the stands, the midfielder saw his side eliminated. Chile lost out on their playoff spot to Peru by only two goals.

7. Marco Verratti (Italy & PSG)

Although the PSG play-maker may only be 25, the talented midfielder has already gathered quite the CV of silverware. Signing for the European giants from Italian side Pescara in 2012, Verratti has lifted the Ligue 1 title four times already. His consistent performances and eye-catching creativity have seen him become a man on the top of every club's wishlist.

Sadly for Verratti, he will not be able to showcase his talents on the World Cup stage. Another member of Italy's failed play-off campaign to Sweden, Italian fans have earmarked Verratti as the leader of Italy's next generation.

8. Arjen Robben (Netherlands & Bayern Munich)

It would have felt wrong to include Gianluigi Buffon on the list but overlook another retiring international icon. A veteran of three World Cup finals, Dutch football now prepares for life after Arjen Robben. In a career spanning over 15 years playing in the famous orange, Robben made 97 appearances and helped lead Holland to the 2010 World Cup final.

Like Buffon, the veteran announced his international retirement after falling agonizingly short of booking their spot at next years finals. Immediately after last months 2-0 victory over Sweden, the Dutch icon announced his retirement. Although Holland finished third in Group A, Robben was able to bow out on a personal high note, scoring both goals in Holland's 2-0 victory.

9. Gareth Bale (Wales & Real Madrid)

For Wales, when the announcement came that Bale would be unavailable for their last two group games, it was just a case of if Chris Coleman's side could get the job done without their talisman, the answer was no. Even though Wales had enjoyed a stellar Euro 2016 campaign that saw them reach the semi-finals, The Dragons were unable to take their form into their second major tournament.

Watching on from the stands, Bale saw his World Cup dreams go up in smoke as Wales lost 1-0 to Ireland in the final game of Group D, a result which saw the Irish leapfrog Wales for the vacant playoff-off spot. The Real Madrid man's absence from the tournament will be strongly felt and even in an all-star team, Bale will arguably be next summer's biggest absentee.

10. Alexis Sanchez (Chile & Arsenal)

After guiding Chile to back-to-back Copa America triumphs, the Arsenal forward would have been dreaming of his shot at World Cup glory. Instead, Sanchez and Chile suffered last-minute heartbreak. La Roja fell to a 3-0 defeat to fellow giants Brazil and with Peru scoring a 90th-minute equalizer against Colombia, Sanchez's dream of running up the flanks of La Roja was gone.

Chile's failure to secure their spot in Russia has epitomised what has been a torrid 2017 for Sanchez. Without the comfort of Champions League football to fall back on, like Virgil van Dijk at Southampton, Sanchez will have a summer free to weigh up his options.

11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)

Even with the immense talent that is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in their side, Gabon was never really seen as a side who stood a chance of mixing it with the world elite next summer. With a squad consisting of no other household names, it's no surprise that Gabon is a nation who have never qualified for a major tournament.

With 11 goals already in the Bundesliga this year, Aubameyang found the net 31 times last year once again outscoring Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski. With another failed campaign behind him, Aubameyang did, however, save his best excuse for his nation's shortcomings till the end though. The Gabon captain blamed some dodgy orange juice that he had drunk prior to their last game.
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