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Why Major Countries Missed Out on 2026 World Cup

Source: World Cup 2026: Why have so many of the biggest countries not qualified? - The Athletic (2025-11-18)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest in history with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has surprisingly excluded many of the world's most populous nations. Despite the expanded format, eight of the ten most populous countries—such as Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—will not be represented. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, was eliminated at the playoff stage by DR Congo, missing out on its first appearance since 2014. India, with over 1.4 billion people, has never qualified, largely due to historical disqualifications and internal football governance issues. Pakistan and Bangladesh, with populations exceeding 175 million each, also remain absent, highlighting challenges in developing competitive national teams. Recent facts reveal that: 1. Nigeria's football federation has faced administrative instability, impacting qualification efforts. 2. India’s football infrastructure struggles, including limited youth development programs, hinder international success. 3. Pakistan’s national team has faced political and financial hurdles, preventing World Cup qualification. 4. Bangladesh’s football federation has been under scrutiny for governance issues, affecting team performance. 5. The expanded tournament aims to boost global football development, but the absence of these populous nations underscores ongoing disparities. 6. The 2026 World Cup will feature debutants like Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, reflecting a shift toward more diverse participation. 7. FIFA has increased efforts to develop football infrastructure in Africa and Asia, yet qualification remains elusive for many large nations. 8. The tournament’s growth is part of FIFA’s broader strategy to globalize the sport, but geopolitical and economic factors continue to influence qualification outcomes. This absence of major nations raises questions about the future of global football development and the barriers faced by populous countries in reaching the world’s biggest stage. As FIFA continues to expand and promote the sport worldwide, addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensuring more inclusive representation in future tournaments.

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