As of the latest qualification cycle (for the 2022 FIFA World Cup), numerous national teams have never qualified for the World Cup finals. Here's a breakdown highlighting some of the most notable teams, categorized by their respective confederations:
UEFA (Europe)
Luxembourg: One of Europe's oldest football associations but never qualified.
Malta: Consistently participates but has never advanced to the finals.
Liechtenstein: Smallest UEFA nation yet to qualify.
Andorra: Has struggled significantly in qualifiers.
San Marino: Famous for a lengthy run without a competitive win.
CONMEBOL (South America) slot gacor deposit 5000
Only a single South American team has never qualified for a World Cup:
Venezuela: Despite having strong footballers, they have historically struggled.
CONCACAF (North America, Central America, Caribbean)
Many Caribbean and smaller Central American nations have never qualified. Some notable examples:
Guatemala: Historically competitive but never made it.
Suriname: Produces talented footballers, often playing for European teams, but the national side has not reached the World Cup.
Dominican Republic
Nicaragua
Belize
Puerto Rico
Cuba has qualified historically (1938), but hasn't qualified since.
CAF (Africa)
Several African nations have yet to appear, including:
Central African Republic
Botswana
Lesotho
Eritrea
Chad
Ethiopia qualified historically (1962) but not recently.
Gambia
Niger
Sierra Leone
Liberia (despite producing George Weah, the only African FIFA World Player of the Year winner)
AFC (Asia)
Countries yet to reach the World Cup include:
India qualified for 1950 but withdrew, thus has never participated.
Malaysia
Singapore
Hong Kong
Afghanistan
Nepal
Philippines
Indonesia (qualified as Dutch East Indies in 1938 but hasn't since)
OFC (Oceania)
Only New Zealand (1982, 2010) and Australia (now AFC, but previously OFC, qualified 1974, 2006 onward) have qualified. Never qualified:
Fiji
Tahiti
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu
Samoa
Notable Nations With Historical Context:
India: Famous for qualifying but withdrawing from the 1950 World Cup.
Venezuela: Unique in CONMEBOL as the only nation never qualified, despite talent.
Guatemala: Frequently close but repeatedly falling short at the final hurdle.
The vast majority of FIFA's 211 member associations have yet to qualify due to competition intensity, particularly smaller nations with limited football infrastructure and resources. The dream of qualifying continues to drive these nations, making World Cup qualification one of the most celebrated achievements in international football.