World Cup 2014: Many of the best players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, could miss the tournament

Injuries threaten to wreck the greatest football tournament on earth

Luis Suarez underwent knee surgery (EPA)

France winger Franck Ribery today became the latest big name player to be ruled out of the World Cup - and organisers fear there could be more to come.

Some major names were already absent before the 32 nations taking part named their 23-man squads for the tournament. Whether it was through injury - Theo Walcott, Victory Valdes and Radamel Falcao were among those crocked early on, or failure to qualify - Gareth Bale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are particularly conspicuous by their absence.

Yet with less a week to go until the World Cup begins, it seems many of those expected to play in Brazil could still miss some or part of the tournament through injury.

Today it was announced Ribery would play no part and among those struggling to be fit is the world's best player, the Premier League golden boot winner, the top scorer among the Spanish champions and the world's best goalkeeper.

Above, we look in more detail at those who are struggling to be ready in time.