Here are big names of world class players who were deprived of that opportunity for one reason or another.
Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria)
Dimitar Berbatov, former Manchester United striker having tactics of scoring, giving Manchester United more than two trophies, unfortunately he didn't get a chance to play.
Ryan Giggs (Wales)
A serial winner with Manchester United trophies, the 40-year-old was unfulfilled for his country as Wales failed to qualify for a major tournament during his career.
Adrian Mutu (Romania)
The former Chelsea, Juventus and Fiorentina striker despite of his good game was part of the same Romania generation, as Chivu failed to reach the World Cup at his time .
Bernd Schuster (Germany)
A man who had the talent to play football for both Barcelona and Real Madrid clubs during his career, he retired from international football at the tender age of 24 after a dispute with the German Football Federation.
Ian Rush (Wales)
The Liverpool legend was unable to inspire Wales to enter World Cup tournament. A similar fate befell Welsh colleagues .
Andy Cole (England)
Prolific in the Premier League for Manchester United during the 1990s, his international career left a lot to be desired.
In 1998, England Coach Glenn Hoddle left him out of the squad for the World Cup, claiming that Cole needed six or seven chances to score one goal. It was an assertion that angered Cole .