Absentee XI: Icardi, Morata, Nainggolan and others cut from their World Cup squads

Swipe left/right on your browser for a look at some of the players not going to Russia next month

<p>Sergio Romero has been ruled out of Argentina&#39;s World Cup squad by a knee injury. Juan Mabromata / AFP</p>

Barcelona right-back Sergi Roberto failed to make Spain's squad. Josep Lago / AFP

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin failed to make the cut for Spain. John Sibley / Reuters

Chelsea's Marcos Alonso was another Premier League player to miss out on Spain selection. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

As was Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan announced his international retirement after failing to make the provisional Belgium squad for Russia 2018. Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Marseille playmaker Dimitri Payet was left out of France's squad after picking up an injury in the Europa League final defeat to Atletico Madrid. Yoan Valat / EPA

Morocco will be at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. Winger Sofiane Boufal of Southampton won't. Ian Walton/Getty Images

Bayern Munich's Sandro Wagner was left out of Joachim Low's Germany squad for Russia. Mihael Sohn / AP Photo

Alvaro Morata's disappointing form for Chelsea since the turn of the year counted against him when Spain announced their World Cup squad. Clive Rose / Getty Images

Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi scored 29 Serie A goals this season but has been left out of Argentina's World Cup squad. Giuseppe Lami / AP Photo

Some pretty big names are set to miss out on the World Cup after national team managers finished selecting their provisional squads for the June 14 - July 15 tournament in Russia.

Some have been unfortunate through injury. Manchester United back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero was on Tuesday cut from the Argentina squad with the national federation saying he requires knee surgery.

Others didn't even get that far. Radja Nainggolan immediately announced his international retirement after being left out of Roberto Martinez's Belgium squad and Sandro Wanger did likewise after being omitted from the Germany squad when the world champions defend their title in Russia.

The players who didn't make the Spain squad would be the envy and in most cases the first choices had they been born anywhere else. Plenty have been cast aside by Julen Lopetegui; Sergi Roberto, Marcos Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Javi Martinez and Alvaro Morata may curse their passports, as they would have a strong claim for inclusion in most other national teams.

Spare a thought to for Mauro Icardi. The Inter Milan striker banged in 29 Serie A goals and helped his side clinch a thrilling Uefa Champions League play-off spot at Lazio's expense, but that means little when Jorge Sampaoli already has the services of Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero to call on.

With most yet to announce their final 23-man squads, expect a further cull of quality but unlucky players over the next week.

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Read more:

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