EDWARD STUBBS traces the heartbreak of the nations who fell at the last hurdle of qualification for the greatest show on earth

When Bosnia-Herzegovina take on Argentina at the Maracanã on June 15 a 64-year old World Cup record will be matched. The Balkan state are the only country making their tournament debut this summer, the lowest tally of World Cup virgins at a finals since England patched up their differences with FIFA to become to sole debut nation at Brazil 1950.
It could, however, have been much different with no fewer than four countries just 90 minutes from reaching ...