2. Netherlands
There is no doubt the Dutch are one of the finest footballing nations across the globe. They finished as runner-ups in South Africa and subsequently finished third in 2014 in Brazil. But the Netherlands have consequently fallen behind.
The Netherlands missed out on the spot at the Euros a couple of years back. They also now have missed the chance to compete on the biggest stage in the World. They are set to miss back-to-back major tournaments for the first time since 1984.
Even a win in their final qualifier for Russia 2018 against Sweden condemned the Netherlands to their first back-to-back failure in international tournament qualification. The Oranje needed to beat Sweden by seven goals in their last qualifying match.
Despite beating Belarus 3-1, it was Sweden’s 8-0 thrashing of Luxembourg the same night meant the Dutch fell into third place in Group A on goal difference.