One of the best soccer players in the world will not be in the 2014 World Cup With Portugal facing Sweden for a World Cup berth, everybody loses. By NICK SCHWARTZ – October 21, 2013 at 12:09pm EDT

Photos via AFP

After European group stage qualifying for the 2014 World Cup ended last week, eight nations are left to play for four spots in Brazil. The four final European slots will be decided by a playoff, andMonday afternoon’s unlucky draw in Zurich ensured that one of the world’s greatest players will be absent from next summer’s tournament. The four spots will be decided over two legs, home and away, and the winners will join the eight European group winners in the 32-team field in Brazil

Iceland was paired with Croatia, Greece with Romania, Ukraine with France. In the cruelest twist offate, Sweden will play Portugal.

Why is that such a big deal? Well, both Portugal and Sweden feature one of the top-5 players in the world. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, from Malmö, regularly scores eye-popping and jaw-dropping goals (like this one below, against England).

Ibrahimović helped Sweden advance to the round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup, but the countryfailed to qualify in 2010. At the age of 32, it’s unlikely that Ibrahimović will be around in to 2018 to represent Sweden in Russia. Brazil 2014 is his last chance.

Portugal, meanwhile, is home to Cristiano Ronaldo.