The World Cup journey is over for a number of teams (Picture: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Playing at a World Cup is a dream come true for every footballer – so it is no surprise that crashing out in the group stage is a heartbreaking experience.

But that is the fate which has befallen several players already with teams heading for an early exit in the group stage in Qatar.

Let’s take a look at the teams which have been knocked-out of the World Cup 2022 at the group stage so far.

Group A

Ecuador missed out on a place in the last 16 after an agonising 2-1 defeat to Senegal on matchday three.

Several players dropped to the turf in tears after being pipped to the runners-up spot in Doha, which followed a win over Qatar and a hugely impressive 1-1 draw with the Dutch in their first two games.

The South Americans had started the day ahead of their opponents and only needed a draw to compete in their first knock-out tie since losing to England in the round of 16 back in 2006.

Ecuador were distraught after being dumped out at the expense of Senegal (Picture: Elsa/Getty Images)

Qatar became the first nation to be knocked out of the tournament after losing all three of their games, which is the first time a host nation has ever lost all of its group fixtures in the history of the tournament.

But the unwanted records don’t end there for the Qataris – the team became the first hosts to lose their opening game and the first to be knocked out after just two matches.

The 50th-ranked team are just the second hosts to fail to make it out of the group stage after South Africa crashed out early in 2010.

Group B

Iran, despite their best efforts, were dumped out of the World Cup by the USA, who leapfrogged them into second place after triumphing 1-0 in the winner-takes-all clash in Al Thumama.

Former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz saw his side lose 6-2 to England in their opening game, before edging past Wales with two late goals in their second fixture.

Their early departure from the World Cup is the fifth time in a row they have been knocked out in the group stage since 1998.

Iran fell up short in Group B (Picture: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Wales were taking part in their first World Cup since 1958, but three underwhelming performances have seen the Welsh adventure come to a premature end in Qatar.

Rob Page’s men opened their campaign with a respectable 1-1 draw with the USA, but the damage was done in the disastrous 2-0 defeat to Iran which left them needing to beat England in their final match to stand any chance of progressing to the round of 16.

And in the end Wales were not able to raise themselves in the local derby, losing 3-0 to England to send their army of fans home with just one goal and no wins to their name as they finished bottom of the group.

Wales exit the competition with their heads held high (Picture: Richard Sellers/Getty Images)

More: World Cup 2022

Group F

Canada were knocked out after just two games despite encouraging performances in defeats to Belgium and Croatia.

They were dominant for large spells against Belgium, wasting a number of clear-cut opportunities, and they will wonder what might have been had Alphonso Davies converted his 11th minute penalty to put them ahead.

But with a youthful and talented team, Canada will be optimistic of a strong showing in four years time when they co-host the World Cup with the USA and Mexico.

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The sides on the plane back home.