Some of the world's biggest nations and players are in danger of missing out on next year's World Cup , with qualification set to go right to the wire.

The majority of top teams have all but sealed their places in Russia, but there could be some shock omissions from the tournament as a number of big name teams are facing a real battle to qualify.

Qualifying can often prove tricky for countries expected to do well at major tournaments, with Argentina coming perilously close to missing the cut under Diego Maradona in 2010 and West Germany scraping through qualifying before going on to win whole the tournament in 1990.

With the final round of qualifiers imminent, teams will be looking to their big guns to deliver more heroics and ensure their World Cup dreams stay alive.

Here are some top players sweating over their place at the tournament next summer...

Diego Maradona speaks to Lionel Messi prior the 2010 World Cup quarter-final match Argentina vs Germany (
Image:
Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo

The four time Ballon d'Or winner is Portugal's record scorer with 78 goals, and his country will be relying on him to fire in the goals to overtake Switzerland at the top of European Group B.

Ronaldo has won Euro 2016, La Liga and the Champions League within the last year and will be desperate for a shot at adding World Cup glory to his list of accolades.

A win against Switzerland in a huge final qualifier would almost certainly see Portugal overtake them at the top of Group B due to their vastly superior goal difference, but anything less and they would have to go through the lottery of a play-off.

Portugal would be favourites against any of their potential play-off opponents, but there would still be the prospect of the biggest tournament being without arguably the world's best player right now.

Portugal will need more stunning goals like this from Ronaldo if they're to qualify (
Image:
Getty)

Lionel Messi

Messi will be desperate to win the missing World Cup that some experts claim is the only thing keeping him form being the greatest footballer of all time.

There's a real possibility that that chance won't come at all next summer though, with Argentina languishing in fifth in the South American qualifying group after a lacklustre 1-1 draw with Venezuela in their last match.

The top four teams automatically qualify for Russia with fifth having to go through a play-off, but even that is uncertain for Messi and Argentina with dangerous Chile only a point behind.

A World Cup without Messi is almost unthinkable given the plethora of talent within the rest of the Argentina squad, but should they lose their next match against fourth placed Peru a play-off is probably the best they can hope for.

Messi looks dejected as Argentina are held by Venezuela (
Image:
REUTERS)

Alexis Sanchez

The Arsenal star has already endured a miserable summer after failing to force through a move to Manchester City, but it could get worse with Chile also struggling to make the top four of the South American group.

A dismal defeat away to Bolivia left Chile in sixth place, not even occupying the play-off spot with only two games left.

Sanchez almost single-handedly kept the Gunners in the hunt for a Champions League place last season, but they ultimately fell short and it looks as though his country could do the same.

Beating Ecuador at home in their next match is surely a must if they're to have any chance of qualifying, with a daunting trip to Brazil awaiting them in their final qualifier.

Chile are hugely reliant on Sanchez to deliver (
Image:
AFP)

Gareth Bale

The Real Madrid star was sensational as Wales reached the semi finals at last year's European Championships, but there is still work to do to ensure his country even have a chance of making the World Cup finals.

A scrappy 2-0 win over Moldova saw Wales overtake Ireland into second place in Group D, but they are only a point ahead of their rivals and face two tricky matches to round off qualifying.

They travel to Georgia, who held Ireland to a draw over the weekend, before hosting Martin O'Neill's men in a huge potential winner takes all qualifier to decide who will get the play-off spot.

Bale has never played at a World Cup before, and despite his heroics at Euro 2016 there's a real chance his wait to appear on the biggest stage in football will go on.

The form of Bale will be key for Wales as they look to seal a play-off spot (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Gianluigi Buffon

A major international tournament without Buffon is virtually unheard of, but being drawn in the same group as Spain has meant Italy look like having to settle for second place in Group G and will need to get through a play-off to make it to Russia.

Buffon is widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the history of the sport, and with a formidable back three in front of him the Italians will be hard to beat in a play-off match.

Italy can't take anything for granted though, and any slip ups could see the legendary stopper's run of playing at every major tournament since the 2002 World Cup come to a sad end.

Buffon may not get the chance to add to the World Cup he won in 2006
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