Theo Walcott was the shock casualty as England coach Fabio Capello named his final 23-man squad for the World Cup yesterday.
Walcott was widely expected to be on the England team's flight to South Africa today after the Arsenal winger played a significant role in the qualifying campaign, but Capello has decided Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tottenham's Aaron Lennon represent better options on the flanks.
Also receiving the unwanted call from Capello to hear they had been left out were Everton left-back Leighton Baines, Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson, Sunderland striker Darren Bent and Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone.
It is the second time Walcott has been involved in a controversial World Cup selection after his surprise inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad in 2006.
Eriksson's gamble to include the teenager, even though he had yet to make his Premier League debut for Arsenal, failed to pay off as he didn't make a single appearance.
Walcott recently admitted he did not deserve to be picked four years ago, but he had no indication he would miss out this time.
His crucial hat-trick in a 4-1 qualifying victory over Croatia in September 2008 looked to have cemented his place in the squad. However, an injury-hit campaign meant Walcott started just 15 times for Arsenal this season.
Walcott was clearly shocked by his absence from the squad and said: "I am very disappointed not to be included in the squad going out to South Africa, but completely respect Mr Capello's decision."
With scans on Gareth Barry's ankle injury confirming he is on course to recover for the World Cup, Capello has decided to include the Manchester City midfielder.
Although he is hopeful Barry will be fit for England's group games against Slovenia and Algeria, Capello has picked Michael Carrick as another option in midfield.
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole will also be on the flight following some impressive displays in training and as a second-half substitute against Japan.
In defence, Capello has decided Tottenham centre-back Ledley King will be able to cope with the demands of tournament football despite the knee injury which prevents him joining in full training.
Liverpool's Jamie Carragher has been rewarded for his decision to come out of a three-year international retirement with a place in the squad, while West Ham's Matthew Upson got the nod ahead of Dawson.
The squad
Goalkeepers: James (Ports-mouth), Green (West Ham), Hart (Man. City).
Defenders: Carragher (Liverpool), A. Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man. Utd), Johnson (Liverpool), King (Tottenham), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (West Ham), Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Barry (Man. City), Carrick (Man. Utd), J. Cole (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Milner (Aston Villa), Wright-Phillips (Man. City).
Forwards: Rooney (Man. Utd), Heskey (Aston Villa), Crouch (Tottenham), Defoe (Tottenham).