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A treasure trove of famous and forgotten stories of the greatest teams that failed to qualify for the World Cup – from the 1950s to the 21st century – told together for the first time.

From continental giants that became inexplicable absentees to heartbreaking tales of underdogs coming oh-so-close to a place on the world stage, these are stories that stand alone as remarkable accounts of misfortune, whether through refereeing decisions, late goals or even global politics.

Read and discover:

Tales from around the world, including major powerhouses falling short and outsiders battling against the oddsHow some of the greatest players of all time failed to reach the World Cup, including Alfredo di Stéfano, George Best, Eric Cantona and George WeahHow Johan Cruyff could easily have joined this list, but for a moment of controversy in a deciding qualifierClassic tales of woe for the home nations, including Scotland in 1970, England in 1978 and Wales in 1986A special insight into African sides as the author draws on his expertise on the subjectTogether, these captivating stories create a patchwork that tells the tale of the trials and tribulations of World Cup qualifying, one of the greatest challenges in world football.