The disappointment of not being on the biggest stage has not subsided. It is a reason given for largely abstaining.
Another is that the championship is played in the dictatorship of Qatar. A third is that the players simply have other things to do in the meantime.
This is how five national team players answer questions about who will be world champion, about television viewing and about the view that Qatar organizes.
Viktor Gyökeres, striker, Coventry
On who wins the WC:
— I think… can I take two? Good. Then I say Germany or Argentina.
Who are you rooting for if they meet in the final?
— I know in hell … Argentina. After all, they met in 2014, so Argentina will take it this time. It would be fun for Lionel Messi if he gets to take that gold. Really fun.
If he’s going to watch the World Cup?
— I’m on holiday so I’ll see how much I have time to check.
About the WC being played in Qatar?
— Of course it would have been better if it had been played somewhere else. Now it’s being played there and I don’t know if you can do anything about it now.
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, defender, Manchester United
On who wins the WC:
— There are many good nations, but I think Brazil will win.
If he’s going to watch the World Cup?
— I rarely watch football. I don’t remember the last time I saw a game, but it’s a World Cup so I’ll have to try and see if there are any friends playing.
About the WC being played in Qatar?
— We have gone through that issue many times. I don’t think the WC should be played there. It is also strange that it is played during the winter. The decision to play there has been made, I don’t think it’s right, but it is what it is.
Isak Hien, defender, Hellas Verona.
On who wins the WC:
– Good question. Boring guess maybe, but Germany. It feels as if there is no obvious favorite and then it is Germany you have to believe.
If he’s going to watch the World Cup?
— It’s a break now, but I’ll probably see a lot of matches.
About the WC being played in Qatar?
— Strange, of course, that it is played during the winter.
Ludwig Augustinsson, defender, Aston Villa
On who wins the WC:
— They want Messi to win, that he should finish on top. I believe in Argentina.
If he’s going to watch the World Cup?
— I haven’t decided, but I don’t think I’ll watch that much. Partly because it is played where a World Cup shouldn’t have been played from the start, partly because I think it’s hard because we didn’t qualify. Every time the World Cup comes to mind, it’s hard. You become varnish, that is. Maybe I see a match, but it can also happen that I don’t see anything.
About the WC being played in Qatar?
— It would never have been played there, but I think it will stop in the future for countries with the same mindset as Qatar. It will not be accepted.
Emil Forsberg, midfielder, Leipzig
About who wins the World Cup?
— I’ve been saying Argentina all along, but there might be some surprise. I don’t believe in Germany, unfortunately. They have a young and good team but if it’s enough… I have a feeling it won’t, but I hope and keep my fingers crossed for my friends.
If he’s going to watch the World Cup?
— Yes, I will. I have many good friends who are there and play.
About the WC being played in Qatar?
— Everything is just strange. I think everyone had an opinion about what they think and think about how the work has been done for many years and about human rights. But now we are there and the WC is to be played.