The World Cup is the peak of many players' careers and a fulfilment of a footballing dream.
But what is it like to miss out? Ian Wright tells all to Sky Sports
The World Cup is the peak of many players' careers and a fulfilment of a footballing dream. To come so close to going to the finals only to miss out must therefore be a crushing moment.
Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace goalscoring great Ian Wright is one such man having been denied his place in Glenn Hoddle's squad for the 1998 tournament due to a hamstring injury.
To make matters worse, Wright had also missed out earlier in his career in 1990 after then-manager Sir Bobby Robson decided not to take a gamble.
They were tough moments for Wright but there were also plenty of highs in the career of a player who scored 113 Premier League goals while also taking on some of the best defenders in the business at international level.
Here, Wright - as a part of the Carlsberg Fan Squad in which he is joined by Sky Sports' Jeff Stelling and comedian Paddy McGuinness as the front of a task force to make football even better for the most important people, the fans - the man himself talks us through his playing days for club and country.
Toughest Opponent - Fabio Cannavaro
"He was the Italian captain and was very hard to play against, because he was so good. He was physically tough, quick and strong, and a very intelligent defender. You would not get a lot of change from him over 90 minutes, so you had to be on your game!"
Heartbreaking Moment
"I would say missing the World Cup in 1998, when I tore my hamstring just a couple of weeks before we were going to meet up. In 1990, I also missed out. I came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final and scored a couple of goals but Bobby Robson did not know how fit I was going to be so did not take a chance on taking me. So I missed out on all the major tournaments, because of form or injury but when I did get picked by Glenn Hoddle I tore my hamstring. This summer, players will miss out and my advice would be just to keep working hard and be professional about it."
Football Hero - Cyrille Regis
"When I was a child I would say he was the player I looked up to being a prominent black player who came through and was amazing. I would also say Kevin Keegan, because he was small but he worked hard on his game and he was a really talented player."
Most Talented Team-Mate - Dennis Bergkamp
"I have been very lucky. I have played with Gazza and I have played with Dennis Bergkamp and Paul Merson. I would not be able to separate Gazza and Dennis Bergkamp when it comes to skill but if you push me I would have to say Dennis Bergkamp. He absolutely, without a doubt, deserves the statue at the Emirates. He is a player who changed the DNA of Arsenal and when he and Wenger came in it changed football in England."
The Carlsberg Fan Squad aims to make football BETTER for fans by listening to real fans, celebrating what is great about football and improving the experience of being a fan. Head to www.CarlsbergFanSquad.co.uk for the chance to be one of 1,000 England fans at the Ultimate England Experience at Wembley. That calls for a Carlsberg!
