The 2018 World Cup is already shaping up to be one of the more turbulent tournaments in recent memory. There's no Holland or Italy to start with, and the group draw has offered up a mix of intriguing contests. 

Make no mistake, this is already being touted as the World Cup of the underdogs. Watch the odds dramatically shift as underdogs hit the Achilles heel. It's going to happen, and that's why you ought to be up to date with the latest odds at https://www.betway.co.za/ for the most up to date and in match markets. 

Yet fun as it is to enjoy teams from all over the world competing for football's greatest prize, there are a few members of the typical 'starting 11' who aren't likely to make the pitch. Here are seven certain and possible absentees who may well be missed. 

Quite possibly the best goalie of his generation. So good at playing the ball with his feet and making difficult distribution a seamless art, the fact is that Neuer may be crocked. Having suffered a very nasty ankle injury at the start of the Bundesliga season 2017/18, he's managed just three appearances since. Is that good enough to warrant a place in the first team in Russia? Pragmatists would, unfortunately, say not. 

Iceland's key player has struggled with injuries and - let's be honest - a tricky spell in a lackluster Everton team. On his day the Icelander is a playmaker of the finest caliber, always looking for that deadly pass with strikers to run on towards. The problem is that he's clearly unfit, been pushed hard by West Ham, and has the burden of an entire county on his back. That's far from ideal when looking towards anything close to match fitness for a world cup campaign. 

The ankle again. Despite being one of the best strikers in the EPL for the last four seasons, the fact remains that the amiable Kane has a tricky ankle issue that won't go away. If he weren't so important to Spurs and England, chances are that he's have enjoyed a longer phase on the bench recuperating, Instead, he's been rushed too fast and may not make the first eleven for England. Manager Gareth Southgate has stressed the importance of fitness and work rate from his forward players - but is there an alternative? 

Could the most 'valuable' player in the world not be able to perform at the World Cup? Forget his inflated transfer fee for a moment - after a great start in France, he's broken a metatarsal bone earlier this year that just won't seem to heel. For a player who relies on pace, flair and a demon shot this is far from ideal. He's looked sluggish during the run-in, and Brazil aren't short of strikers eager to fill his boots. 

For those who haven't been keeping tabs on Serie A recently, this is probably the saddest injury of all. Biglia is a late developer and one whose experience has shown all the qualities you'd expect from a classy centre-half. At 32 this is realistically his last chance to make a World Cup - yet it'll take a miracle to wish away that awful lumbar trauma (back injury). While Argentina is as ever limited in defense, Biglia will do well to make the squad let alone the bench. 

He may not be well known outside of Russia, but make no mistake the likely lack of Kokorin is a huge blow to the host's chances of progressing in their tournament. Having already earned over 40 caps for Russia, and the second top goalscorer in the Russian league before his injury, the fact is that he's unlikely to make the final squad. A great player who is capable of linking up play as well as being clinical in the box, there's no obvious replacement. 

A German centre-half with 70 caps and a trophy chest that anyone would envy. Is there a better place in World Football? Probably not. Yet at just 29 the 'Mr. Reliable' of both Germany and the Bayern Munich defense is seriously up against making the tournament. Injuries are the key issue, especially in his left thigh which limits his trademark aerial qualities. Sure he'll make the selection 33, but as for the tournament itself? 50/50 at best.