USA

The United States were left embarrassed as they failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, and were even pipped to the CONCACAF play-off spot, on a miserable night for Bruce Arena.

The US fell to a 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago, and will miss the finals for the first time since 1986.

Chile

Chile boss Juan Antonio Pizzi has announced he will quit after their World Cup qualifying heartache.

Pizzi's side were well-placed going into the final round of fixtures but were beaten 3-0 by Brazil.

However, after Argentina beat Ecuador and Peru drew with Paraguay, Chile dropped to sixth and out of contention.

Bizarrely, it was Arsenal keeper David Ospina making a howler for Colombia against Peru which ensured his team mate Alexis Sanchez will not be in Russia.

Holland

Holland needed to beat Sweden by seven goals on Tuesday night, just to secure a play-off berth for next year’s World Cup finals.

Suffice to say, they didn't.

Arjen Robben scored twice in Holland’s 2-0 win, before confirming his retirement from international football.

The Oranje's failure to make it to Russia continues their wretched recent record in qualifying campaigns for major tournaments.

Ghana

Ghana have been at the last three World Cups, famously coming within a horrendous Luis Suarez handball of making the semi-finals in 2010.

Unfortunately for them, they won't be in Russia next summer - thanks partly to an equally awful bit of bad luck.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) lodged an official complaint with FIFA after an incorrect offside decision cost them a win against Uganda and ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions have been at seven of the last nine World Cups.

When it comes to the biggest tournament in football, they are essentially a part of the furniture - so it comes as something of a surprise that they were never even close to making it to Russia.

Cameroon have only won one of their five qualifiers, meaning they are already seven points behind Nigeria in their group - with one game to play and only the group winners qualifying.

 - Mirror