Ronaldinho was left out of Brazil's initial World Cup squad, Francesco Totti and Luca Toni were missing from Italy's squad and Jamie Carragher came out of retirement for England as coaches issued their provisional lists on Tuesday.
The coaches of the 32 teams headed for next month's championship in South Africa faced a FIFA deadline Tuesday to announce provisional 30-man squads.
The lists included some walking wounded who hope to be fit for the tournament, some unexpected inclusions and some big names who missed out.
Ronaldinho, Adriano and Neymar were omitted from Brazil coach Dunga's initial 23-man list. They could be among the seven more players to be announced later by Dunga, but would only be on standby in case of injuries. The coach has stuck to most of the players who helped Brazil win last year's Confederations Cup and finish top of South American qualifying.
"These players are winners," Dunga said. "There is no doubt that they are prepared to help Brazil reach its goal. They are ready to give their best for the country.
"Ronaldinho's quality and capacity as a player is indisputable. But my decision has to be made based on reason. I have to make a decision based on what happens on the field."
Karim Benzema was a surprise omission from France's provisional squad and coach Raymond Domenech said it was because of his form on the field rather than allegations of his involvement in an under-age sex scandal with an escort.
"To me this is not a concern," said Domenech, who also left out veteran midfielder Patrick Vieira but selected off-form striker Thierry Henry. "I'm only thinking about football and about what the players want to give on the pitch."
Ruud van Nistelrooy was left out of the Netherlands squad despite having recovered from a long-term knee injury. Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said the 34-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker was not at a high enough level to play at the World Cup.
There was speculation that Totti might also come out of international retirement to help Italy defend the World Cup. When Marcello Lippi's squad was announced Tuesday, there was no sign of his name, nor that of Toni, despite seven strikers being picked.
Because the final 23 must come from these provisional lists, that means no chance for Totti of Toni unless there is a serious injury to one of the other squad members.
Spain's Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres are also carrying injuries but were picked with the deadline for the final squad being three weeks away.
Eighteen of the Spain squad of 23 that triumphed impressively at the 2008 European Championship are in this one, too.
Carragher quit England's national team three years ago, complaining he could never get a start under coach Steve McClaren. But the 32-year-old Liverpool defender was in the 30-man squad announced by Fabio Capello on the deadline day set by FIFA.
Capello included Gareth Barry even though the Manchester City midfielder is sidelined for three weeks with ankle ligament damage. He will miss England's friendlies against Mexico and Japan and the squad's two pre-World Cup training camps in Austria.
With defenders Ledley King and Rio Ferdinand dealing with persistent injury problems, Capello decided to bring Carragher back.
"The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems," Carragher said. "I said I would make myself available. The World Cup and Champions League are the highest levels of football. I am keen to work under Fabio Capello."
First up for England is a group game against the United States at Rustenburg June 12. U.S. coach Bob Bradley had no surprises in his squad but could not find a place for Charlie Davies, who made a good recovery from a car smash but has been sidelined for seven months.
A former teammate of Carragher's at Liverpool and now with Turkey's Galatasaray, Australia's Harry Kewell is struggling with a groin injury but coach Pim Verbeek is confident he will make it in time for South Africa.
"There are rumors, there are opinions. But Harry will be ready," Verbeek said. "The medical staff and Harry himself convinced me that Harry will be OK. We still have five weeks to prepare for the first game against Germany, so don't worry - Harry will be there."
Switzerland selected its final squad of 23 three weeks early and has included 18-year-old Xherdan Shaqiria, who has only 45 minutes international experience. The FC Basel midfielder made his club debut in July and had his first taste of international football against Uruguay in a friendly on March 3.
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has a largely European-based squad of players that features Didier Drogba, whose 29 goals helped Chelsea win the Premier League.
But the former England and Mexico coach said Tuesday he didn't want his team to rely too heavily on Drogba's goals.
"It's not enough to hope Drogba will go out and score some goals," Eriksson said. "If we don't play as a team, we cannot be impressive. Quality isn't enough in football, you need to work together."
