More than 200 teams competed for 31 open spots in this summer's World Cup and the United States wasn't the only country that came up short in that competition. Here are five others whose absence in Russia will be noteworthy:
Italy: Italy has a long World Cup pedigree. Not only did it play host to the tournament twice, including the second edition in 1934, but it has won the title four times; only Brazil, with five championships, has won more often. Italy won't have a chance to add to its collection in Russia, however, after getting shut out by Sweden twice in a two-leg UEFA qualifying playoff last fall.