National team appearances in the FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of FIFA. The championship has been awarded every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1930, with the exception of 1942 and 1946 when it was not held due to the Second World War.[1] The competition originally featured 16 teams, and later 24, before settling on its current format of 32 teams starting with the 1998 tournament.[2] Teams initially compete in a group stage, with the final 16 progressing to knockout stages to decide the winner.[3]
As of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 79 national teams have competed at the final tournaments.[4] Brazil are the only team to have appeared in all 21 tournaments to date, with Germany having participated in 19, Italy in 18, Argentina in 17 and Mexico in 16.[5] To date, eight nations have won the tournament. The inaugural winners in 1930 were Uruguay; the current champions are France. The most successful nation in the competition are currently Brazil, who have won the cup on five occasions.[6] Five teams have appeared in FIFA World Cup finals without winning,[7] while eleven more have appeared in semi-finals.[8]
Debut of teams
Each successive World Cup has had at least one team appearing for the first time. This table shows the national associations in alphabetical order per year. Teams in parentheses are considered successor teams by FIFA.
* The total number of teams which have participated in the World Cup through 2018 is 79, using FIFA's view on successor teams (e.g., Russia is a successor of USSR and not a separate team, whereas Ukraine is a newer separate entity).
Number of appearances
- Breakdown of successor teams
Team | Apps | Record streak |
Active streak |
Debut | Most recent |
Best result (* hosts) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Czechoslovakia (1934–1990) | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1934 | 1990 | Runners-up (1934, 1962) |
Czech Republic (since 2006) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 2006 | Round 1 |
Team | Apps | Record streak |
Active streak |
Debut | Most recent |
Best result (* hosts) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germany (1930–1938) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1934 | 1938 | Third place (1934) |
West Germany (1954–1990) | 10 | 10 | 0 | 1954 | 1990 | Champions (1954, 1974*, 1990) |
Germany (since 1994) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1994 | 2018 | Champions (2014) |
Team | Apps | Record streak |
Active streak |
Debut | Most recent |
Best result (* hosts) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soviet Union (1958–1990) | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1958 | 1990 | Fourth place (1966) |
Russia (since 1994) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1994 | 2018 | Quarterfinals (2018*) |
Team | Apps | Record streak |
Active streak |
Debut | Most recent |
Best result (* hosts) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yugoslavia (1930) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1930 | 1930 | Fourth place (1930[lower-alpha 7]) |
Yugoslavia (1950–1990) | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1950 | 1990 | Fourth place (1962) |
FR Yugoslavia (1998) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1998 | 1998 | Round 2 (1998) |
Serbia and Montenegro (2006) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 2006 | Round 1 |
Serbia (since 2010) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2010 | 2018 | Round 1 |
Overall team records
As per statistical convention in football, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws. 3 points per win, 1 point per draw and 0 points per loss.
Accurate as of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Rank | Team | Part | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brazil | 21 | 109 | 73 | 18 | 18 | 229 | 105 | +124 | 237 |
2 | Germany[lower-alpha 3] | 19 | 109 | 67 | 20 | 22 | 226 | 125 | +101 | 221 |
3 | Italy | 18 | 83 | 45 | 21 | 17 | 128 | 77 | +51 | 156 |
4 | Argentina | 17 | 81 | 43 | 15 | 23 | 137 | 93 | +44 | 144 |
5 | France | 15 | 66 | 34 | 13 | 19 | 120 | 77 | +43 | 115 |
6 | England | 15 | 69 | 29 | 21 | 19 | 91 | 64 | +27 | 108 |
7 | Spain | 15 | 63 | 30 | 15 | 18 | 99 | 72 | +27 | 105 |
8 | Netherlands | 10 | 50 | 27 | 12 | 11 | 86 | 48 | +38 | 93 |
9 | Uruguay | 13 | 56 | 24 | 12 | 20 | 87 | 74 | +13 | 84 |
10 | Sweden | 12 | 51 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 80 | 73 | +7 | 70 |
11 | Belgium | 13 | 48 | 20 | 9 | 19 | 68 | 72 | −4 | 69 |
12 | Russia[lower-alpha 5] | 11 | 45 | 19 | 10 | 16 | 77 | 54 | +23 | 67 |
13 | Serbia[lower-alpha 1] | 12 | 46 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 66 | 63 | +3 | 62 |
14 | Mexico | 16 | 57 | 16 | 14 | 27 | 60 | 98 | −38 | 62 |
15 | Poland | 8 | 34 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 46 | 45 | +1 | 53 |
16 | Hungary | 9 | 32 | 15 | 3 | 14 | 87 | 57 | +30 | 48 |
17 | Portugal | 7 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 49 | 35 | +14 | 48 |
18 | Switzerland | 11 | 37 | 12 | 8 | 17 | 50 | 64 | −14 | 44 |
19 | Czech Republic[lower-alpha 2] | 9 | 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 47 | 49 | −2 | 41 |
20 | Austria | 7 | 29 | 12 | 4 | 13 | 43 | 47 | −4 | 40 |
21 | Chile | 9 | 33 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 40 | 49 | −9 | 40 |
22 | Croatia | 5 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 37 |
23 | Denmark | 5 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 30 | 26 | +4 | 32 |
24 | Paraguay | 8 | 27 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 30 | 38 | −8 | 31 |
25 | Colombia | 6 | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 30 |
26 | United States | 10 | 33 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 37 | 62 | −25 | 30 |
27 | Romania | 7 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 30 | 32 | −2 | 29 |
28 | South Korea | 10 | 34 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 34 | 70 | −36 | 27 |
29 | Nigeria | 6 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 23 | 30 | −7 | 21 |
30 | Japan | 6 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 20 | 29 | −9 | 20 |
31 | Costa Rica | 5 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 28 | −9 | 20 |
32 | Scotland | 8 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 25 | 41 | −16 | 19 |
33 | Cameroon | 7 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 43 | −25 | 19 |
34 | Peru | 5 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 21 | 33 | −12 | 18 |
35 | Bulgaria | 7 | 26 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 53 | −31 | 17 |
36 | Turkey | 2 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 17 | +3 | 16 |
37 | Ghana | 3 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 16 | −3 | 15 |
38 | Republic of Ireland | 3 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 14 |
39 | Northern Ireland | 3 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 23 | −10 | 14 |
40 | Ecuador | 3 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 11 | −1 | 13 |
41 | Senegal | 2 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 12 |
42 | Algeria | 4 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 19 | −6 | 12 |
43 | Morocco | 5 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 22 | −8 | 11 |
44 | Saudi Arabia | 5 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 39 | −28 | 11 |
45 | Ivory Coast | 3 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 14 | −1 | 10 |
46 | South Africa | 3 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 16 | −5 | 10 |
47 | Tunisia | 5 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 25 | −12 | 10 |
48 | Iran | 5 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 24 | −15 | 10 |
49 | Australia | 5 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 31 | −18 | 10 |
50 | Norway | 3 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | −1 | 9 |
51 | East Germany | 1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
52 | Greece | 3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 20 | −15 | 8 |
53 | Ukraine | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 7 |
54 | Wales | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
55 | Slovakia | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 4 |
56 | Slovenia | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | −5 | 4 |
57 | Cuba | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 4 |
58 | North Korea | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 21 | −15 | 4 |
59 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
60 | Jamaica | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 3 |
61 | New Zealand | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 14 | −10 | 3 |
62 | Honduras | 3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 14 | −11 | 3 |
63 | Angola | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 2 |
64 | Israel | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 2 |
65 | Egypt | 3 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 2 |
66 | Iceland | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1 |
67 | Kuwait | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
68 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 1 |
69 | Bolivia | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 20 | −19 | 1 |
70 | Iraq | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 |
71 | Togo | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 0 |
72 | Canada | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 |
73 | Indonesia[lower-alpha 4] | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0 |
74 | Panama | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 0 |
74 | United Arab Emirates | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 0 |
76 | China PR | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 |
77 | Haiti | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 14 | −12 | 0 |
78 | DR Congo[lower-alpha 6] | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | −14 | 0 |
79 | El Salvador | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 22 | −21 | 0 |
Source:[9]
- Breakdown of successor teams
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Czechoslovakia (1934–1990) | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 44 | 45 | −1 | 38 |
Czech Republic (since 2006) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germany (1934–1938) | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 10 |
West Germany (1954–1990) | 62 | 36 | 14 | 12 | 131 | 77 | +54 | 122 |
Germany (since 1994) | 40 | 28 | 5 | 7 | 81 | 33 | +48 | 89 |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soviet Union (1958–1990) | 31 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 53 | 34 | +19 | 51 |
Russia (since 1994) | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 20 | +4 | 16 |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yugoslavia (1930) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
Yugoslavia (1950–1990) | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 48 | 35 | +13 | 43 |
FR Yugoslavia (1998) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 7 |
Serbia and Montenegro (2006) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | −8 | 0 |
Serbia (since 2010) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 6 |
Comprehensive team results by tournament
- Legend
- 1st — Champions
- 2nd — Runners-up
- 3rd — Third place
- 4th — Fourth place
- QF — Quarterfinals (1934–1938, 1954–1970, and 1986–present: knockout round of 8)
- R2 — Round 2 (1974–1978, second group stage, top 8; 1982: second group stage, top 12; 1986–2022: knockout round of 16)
- R1 — Round 1 (1930, 1950-1970 and 1986-present: group stage; 1934-1938: knockout round of 16; 1974-1982: first group stage)
- q — Qualified for upcoming tournament
- •• — Qualified but withdrew
- • — Did not qualify
- × — Did not enter / Kicked / Permanently kicked / Withdrew / Permanently withdrew / Banned / Permanently banned / Entry not accepted by FIFA
- — Hosts
- — Not affiliated to FIFA
The team ranking in each tournament is according to FIFA.[10] The rankings, apart from the top four positions (top two in 1930), are not a result of direct competition between the teams; instead, teams eliminated in the same round are ranked by their full results in the tournament. In recent tournaments, FIFA has used its world rankings for seeding in the final tournament draw.[11]
For each tournament, the number of teams in each finals tournament are shown (in parentheses).
Team |
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
2022 (32) |
2026 (48) |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Algeria | Part of France | × | • | • | • | R1 13th | R1 22nd | • | • | • | • | • | R1 28th | R2 14th | • | TBD | TBD | 4 | ||||||
Angola | Part of Portugal | × | • | • | • | • | • | R1 23rd | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | ||||||||||
Argentina | 2nd | R1 T-9th | × | × | × | R1 13th | R1 10th | QF 5th | • | R2 8th | 1st | R2 11th | 1st | 2nd | R2 10th | QF 6th | R1 18th | QF 6th | QF 5th | 2nd | R2 16th | TBD | TBD | 17 |
Australia | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | R1 14th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R2 16th | R1 21st | R1 30th | R1 30th | TBD | TBD | 5 |
Austria | × | 4th | ••[lower-alpha 8] | × | 3rd | R1 15th | × | • | • | • | R2 7th | R2 8th | • | R1 T-18th | • | R1 23rd | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 7 |
Belgium | R1 11th | R1 15th | R1 13th | × | R1 12th | • | • | • | R1 T-10th | • | • | R2 10th | 4th | R2 11th | R2 11th | R1 19th | R2 14th | • | • | QF 6th | 3rd | TBD | TBD | 13 |
Bolivia | R1 12th | × | × | R1 13th | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 21st | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Part of Yugoslavia[lower-alpha 1] | × | • | • | • | • | R1 20th | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |||||||||||||
Brazil | R1 6th | R1 14th | 3rd | 2nd | QF 5th | 1st | 1st | R1 11th | 1st | 4th | 3rd | R2 5th | QF 5th | R2 9th | 1st | 2nd | 1st | QF 5th | QF 6th | 4th | QF 6th | TBD | TBD | 21 |
Bulgaria | × | • | • | × | • | • | R1 15th | R1 15th | R1 13th | R1 12th | • | • | R2 15th | • | 4th | R1 29th | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 7 |
Cameroon | Part of France | × | × | • | • | • | R1 17th | • | QF 7th | R1 22nd | R1 25th | R1 20th | • | R1 31st | R1 32nd | • | TBD | TBD | 7 | |||||
Canada | × | × | × | × | × | • | × | × | • | • | • | • | R1 24th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | q | 1 |
Chile | R1 5th | × | × | R1 9th | • | • | 3rd | R1 T-13th | • | R1 11th | • | R1 22nd | • | • | × | R2 16th | • | • | R2 10th | R2 9th | • | TBD | TBD | 9 |
China PR | Republic of China | × | × | • | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | R1 31st | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | ||
Colombia | × | × | × | • | R1 14th | • | • | • | • | • | • | R2 14th | R1 19th | R1 21st | • | • | • | QF 5th | R2 9th | TBD | TBD | 6 | ||
Costa Rica | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R2 13th | • | • | R1 19th | R1 31st | • | QF 8th | R1 29th | TBD | TBD | 5 |
Croatia | Part of Yugoslavia[lower-alpha 1] | × | 3rd | R1 23rd | R1 22nd | • | R1 19th | 2nd | TBD | TBD | 5 | |||||||||||||
Cuba | • | QF 8th | • | × | × | × | • | × | × | • | • | × | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |
Czech Republic[lower-alpha 2] | × | 2nd | QF 5th | × | R1 14th | R1 9th | 2nd | • | R1 15th | • | • | R1 19th | • | QF 6th | • | • | • | R1 20th | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 9 |
Denmark | × | × | × | × | × | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | R2 9th | • | • | QF 8th | R2 10th | • | R1 24th | • | R2 11th | TBD | TBD | 5 |
DR Congo[lower-alpha 6] | Part of Belgium | × | × | R1 16th | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | ||||||
East Germany[lower-alpha 3] | Part of Germany | × | × | • | • | • | • | R2 6th | • | • | • | • | Part of Germany | 1 | ||||||||||
Ecuador | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 24th | R2 12th | • | R1 17th | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Egypt | × | R1 13th | × | × | • | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | R1 20th | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 31st | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Team | 1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
2022 (32) |
2026 (48) |
Total |
El Salvador | × | × | × | × | × | × | R1 16th | • | • | R1 24th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 2 | ||
England | × | × | × | R1 8th | QF 6th | R1 11th | QF 8th | 1st | QF 8th | • | • | R2 6th | QF 8th | 4th | • | R2 9th | QF 6th | QF 7th | R2 13th | R1 26th | 4th | TBD | TBD | 15 |
France | R1 7th | R1 T-9th | QF 6th | •• | R1 11th | 3rd | • | R1 T-13th | • | • | R1 12th | 4th | 3rd | • | • | 1st | R1 28th | 2nd | R1 29th | QF 7th | 1st | TBD | TBD | 15 |
Germany[lower-alpha 3] | × | 3rd | R1 10th | × | 1st | 4th | QF 7th | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | R2 6th | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | QF 5th | QF 7th | 2nd | 3rd | 3rd | 1st | R1 22nd | TBD | TBD | 19 |
Ghana | Part of the United Kingdom | × | • | × | • | • | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | R2 13th | QF 7th | R1 25th | • | TBD | TBD | 3 | ||||
Greece | × | • | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 24th | • | • | • | R1 25th | R2 13th | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Haiti | • | × | × | • | × | × | × | • | R1 15th | • | • | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |
Honduras | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | × | R1 18th | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 30th | R1 31st | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Hungary | × | QF 6th | 2nd | × | 2nd | R1 10th | QF 5th | QF 6th | • | • | R1 15th | R1 14th | R1 18th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 9 |
Iceland | × | × | × | × | × | • | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 28th | TBD | TBD | 1 |
Indonesia[lower-alpha 4] | × | × | R1 15th | × | × | • | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | × | • | TBD | 1 |
Iran | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | R1 14th | × | × | • | • | R1 20th | • | R1 T-25th | • | R1 28th | R1 18th | TBD | TBD | 5 | |
Iraq | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | × | • | R1 23rd | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |
Israel[lower-alpha 9] | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 12th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 |
Italy | × | 1st | 1st | R1 7th | R1 10th | • | R1 9th | R1 9th | 2nd | R1 10th | 4th | 1st | R2 12th | 3rd | 2nd | QF 5th | R2 15th | 1st | R1 26th | R1 22nd | • | TBD | TBD | 18 |
Ivory Coast | Part of France | × | × | × | • | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | R1 19th | R1 17th | R1 21st | • | TBD | TBD | 3 | |||||
Jamaica | Part of the United Kingdom | × | • | • | × | • | • | × | • | • | R1 22nd | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |||||
Japan | × | × | × | × | • | × | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 31st | R2 9th | R1 T-28th | R2 9th | R1 29th | R2 15th | TBD | TBD | 6 |
Kuwait | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | R1 21st | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 |
Mexico | R1 13th | • | × | R1 12th | R1 13th | R1 16th | R1 11th | R1 12th | QF 6th | • | R1 16th | • | QF 6th | × | R2 13th | R2 13th | R2 11th | R2 15th | R2 14th | R2 10th | R2 12th | TBD | q | 16 |
Morocco | Part of France | • | × | R1 14th | • | • | • | R2 11th | • | R1 23rd | R1 18th | • | • | • | • | R1 27th | TBD | TBD | 5 | |||||
Netherlands | × | R1 T-9th | R1 14th | × | × | • | • | • | • | 2nd | 2nd | • | • | R2 15th | QF 7th | 4th | • | R2 11th | 2nd | 3rd | • | TBD | TBD | 10 |
New Zealand | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | R1 23rd | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 22nd | • | • | TBD | TBD | 2 | |||
Nigeria | Part of the United Kingdom | • | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | R2 9th | R2 12th | R1 27th | • | R1 27th | R2 16th | R1 21st | TBD | TBD | 6 | |||||
North Korea | Part of Japan | × | × | QF 8th | × | • | × | • | • | • | • | × | × | • | R1 32nd | • | • | TBD | TBD | 2 | ||||
Northern Ireland | × | × | × | • | • | QF 8th | • | • | • | • | • | R2 9th | R1 21st | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Norway | × | × | R1 12th | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 17th | R2 15th | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Team | 1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
2022 (32) |
2026 (48) |
Total |
Panama | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 32nd | TBD | TBD | 1 |
Paraguay | R1 9th | × | × | R1 11th | • | R1 12th | • | • | • | • | • | • | R2 13th | • | • | R2 14th | R2 16th | R1 18th | QF 8th | • | • | TBD | TBD | 8 |
Peru | R1 10th | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | QF 7th | • | R2 8th | R1 20th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 20th | TBD | TBD | 5 |
Poland | × | • | R1 11th | × | × | • | • | • | • | 3rd | R2 5th | 3rd | R2 14th | • | • | • | R1 25th | R1 21st | • | • | R1 25th | TBD | TBD | 8 |
Portugal | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | 3rd | • | • | • | • | R1 17th | • | • | • | R1 21st | 4th | R2 11th | R1 18th | R2 13th | TBD | TBD | 7 |
Qatar | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | q | TBD | |
Republic of Ireland[lower-alpha 10] | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | QF 8th | R2 16th | • | R2 12th | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 3 |
Romania | R1 8th | R1 12th | R1 9th | × | • | • | • | • | R1 T-10th | • | • | • | • | R2 12th | QF 6th | R2 11th | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 7 |
Russia[lower-alpha 5] | × | × | × | × | × | QF 7th | QF 6th | 4th | QF 5th | • | • | R2 7th | R2 10th | R1 17th | R1 18th | • | R1 22nd | • | • | R1 24th | QF 8th | TBD | TBD | 11 |
Saudi Arabia | × | × | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | R2 12th | R1 28th | R1 32nd | R1 T-28th | • | • | R1 26th | TBD | TBD | 5 | |||||
Scotland | × | × | × | •• | R1 15th | R1 14th | • | • | • | R1 9th | R1 11th | R1 15th | R1 19th | R1 T-18th | • | R1 27th | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 8 |
Senegal | Part of France | × | × | × | • | • | • | • | × | • | • | QF 7th | • | • | • | R1 17th | TBD | TBD | 2 | |||||
Serbia[lower-alpha 1] | 4th[lower-alpha 7] | • | • | R1 5th | QF 7th | QF 5th | 4th | • | • | R2 7th | • | R1 16th | • | QF 5th | × | R2 10th | • | R1 32nd | R1 23rd | • | R1 23rd | TBD | TBD | 12 |
Slovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia[lower-alpha 2] | • | • | • | R2 16th | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Slovenia | Part of Yugoslavia[lower-alpha 1] | × | • | R1 30th | • | R1 18th | • | • | TBD | TBD | 2 | |||||||||||||
South Africa | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | × | • | R1 24th | R1 17th | • | R1 20th | • | • | TBD | TBD | 3 | ||||
South Korea | Part of Japan | × | R1 16th | × | • | × | • | • | • | • | R1 20th | R1 22nd | R1 20th | R1 30th | 4th | R1 17th | R2 15th | R1 27th | R1 19th | TBD | TBD | 10 | ||
Spain | × | QF 5th | × | 4th | • | • | R1 12th | R1 10th | • | • | R1 10th | R2 12th | QF 7th | R2 10th | QF 8th | R1 17th | QF 5th | R2 9th | 1st | R1 23rd | R2 10th | TBD | TBD | 15 |
Sweden | × | QF 8th | 4th | 3rd | • | 2nd | • | • | R1 9th | R2 5th | R1 13th | • | • | R1 21st | 3rd | • | R2 13th | R2 14th | • | • | QF 7th | TBD | TBD | 12 |
Switzerland | × | QF 7th | QF 7th | R1 6th | QF 8th | • | R1 16th | R1 16th | • | • | • | • | • | • | R2 15th | • | • | R2 10th | R1 19th | R2 11th | R2 14th | TBD | TBD | 11 |
Togo | Part of France | × | × | × | • | • | • | × | × | • | • | • | R1 30th | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |||||
Trinidad and Tobago | Part of the United Kingdom | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 27th | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | ||||||
Tunisia | Part of France | • | × | • | • | R1 9th | • | • | • | • | R1 26th | R1 29th | R1 24th | • | • | R1 24th | TBD | TBD | 5 | |||||
Turkey | × | × | × | •• | R1 9th | × | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | 3rd | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 2 |
Ukraine | Part of Soviet Union[lower-alpha 5] | × | • | • | QF 8th | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |||||||||||||
United Arab Emirates | × | × | × | • | R1 24th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 | |||||||||
United States | 3rd[lower-alpha 7] | R1 16th | × | R1 10th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | R1 23rd | R2 14th | R1 32nd | QF 8th | R1 T-25th | R2 12th | R2 15th | • | TBD | q | 10 |
Uruguay | 1st | × | × | 1st | 4th | • | R1 13th | QF 7th | 4th | R1 13th | • | • | R2 16th | R2 16th | • | • | R1 26th | • | 4th | R2 12th | QF 5th | TBD | TBD | 13 |
Wales | × | × | × | • | • | QF 6th | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | • | TBD | TBD | 1 |
Team | 1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
2022 (32) |
2026 (48) |
Total |
Results of host nations
Year | Host Nation | Finish |
---|---|---|
1930 | Uruguay | Champions |
1934 | Italy | Champions |
1938 | France | Quarter-Final |
1950 | Brazil | Runners-up |
1954 | Switzerland | Quarter-Final |
1958 | Sweden | Runners-up |
1962 | Chile | Third Place |
1966 | England | Champions |
1970 | Mexico | Quarter-Final |
1974 | West Germany | Champions |
1978 | Argentina | Champions |
1982 | Spain | Round 2 (top 12) |
1986 | Mexico | Quarter-Final |
1990 | Italy | Third Place |
1994 | United States | Round of 16 |
1998 | France | Champions |
2002 | South Korea | Fourth Place |
Japan | Round of 16 | |
2006 | Germany | Third Place |
2010 | South Africa | Group Stage |
2014 | Brazil | Fourth Place |
2018 | Russia | Quarter-Final |
2022 | Qatar | TBD |
2026 | Canada | TBD |
Mexico | TBD | |
United States | TBD | |
Results of defending champions, runners-up
The defending World Cup champions were formerly granted an automatic spot in the Cup finals field. As of the 2006 tournament, this berth is no longer guaranteed.[13] However, no defending World Cup champion has yet failed to qualify. Automatic berths have never been given for defending World Cup runners-up. Defending runners-up are 15-for-18 in qualification efforts for the following World Cup.
Year | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
1934 | Uruguay | Did not enter | Argentina | Round of 16 |
1938 | Italy | Champions | Czechoslovakia | Quarter-Final |
1950 | Italy | Group Stage | Hungary | Did not enter |
1954 | Uruguay | Fourth Place | Brazil | Quarter-Final |
1958 | West Germany | Fourth Place | Hungary | Group Stage |
1962 | Brazil | Champions | Sweden | Did not qualify |
1966 | Brazil | Group Stage | Czechoslovakia | Did not qualify |
1970 | England | Quarter-Final | West Germany | Third Place |
1974 | Brazil | Fourth Place | Italy | Group Stage |
1978 | West Germany | Round 2 (top 8) | Netherlands | Runners-up |
1982 | Argentina | Round 2 (top 12) | Netherlands | Did not qualify |
1986 | Italy | Round of 16 | West Germany | Runners-up |
1990 | Argentina | Runners-up | West Germany | Champions |
1994 | Germany | Quarter-Final | Argentina | Round of 16 |
1998 | Brazil | Runners-up | Italy | Quarter-Final |
2002 | France | Group Stage | Brazil | Champions |
2006 | Brazil | Quarter-Final | Germany | Third Place |
2010 | Italy | Group Stage | France | Group Stage |
2014 | Spain | Group Stage | Netherlands | Third Place |
2018 | Germany | Group Stage | Argentina | Round of 16 |
2022 | France | TBD | Croatia | TBD |
Medal table
Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brazil | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
2 | Germany | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
4 | Argentina | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
5 | France | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
6 | Uruguay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
7 | England | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Spain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
9 | Netherlands | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
10 | Czech Republic | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Hungary | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
12 | Sweden | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
13 | Croatia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
14 | Poland | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
15 | Austria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Belgium | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Chile | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Portugal | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Turkey | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
United States | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Totals (20 nations) | 21 | 21 | 21 | 63 |
Results by confederation
AFC
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 37 |
Top 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0[lower-alpha 11] | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Top 8 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
Top 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Top 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1st | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4th | 1 |
CAF
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 44 |
Top 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0[lower-alpha 11] | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
Top 8 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
Top 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1st | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4th | 0 |
CONCACAF
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 42 |
Top 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0[lower-alpha 11] | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 14 |
Top 8 | — | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
Top 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Top 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1st | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4th | 0 |
CONMEBOL
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 7 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 85 |
Top 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2[lower-alpha 11] | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 33 |
Top 8 | — | 0 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 35 | |
Top 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 22 |
Top 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
1st | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4th | 5 |
OFC
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Top 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0[lower-alpha 11] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Top 8 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Top 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1st | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4th | 0 |
UEFA
1930 (13) |
1934 (16) |
1938 (15) |
1950 (13) |
1954 (16) |
1958 (16) |
1962 (16) |
1966 (16) |
1970 (16) |
1974 (16) |
1978 (16) |
1982 (24) |
1986 (24) |
1990 (24) |
1994 (24) |
1998 (32) |
2002 (32) |
2006 (32) |
2010 (32) |
2014 (32) |
2018 (32) |
Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teams | 4 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 245 |
Top 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10[lower-alpha 11] | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 91 |
Top 8 | — | 8 | 6 | — | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 100 | |
Top 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 60 |
Top 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 28 |
1st | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4th | 15 |
Droughts
This section is a list of droughts associated with the participation of national football teams in the FIFA World Cups. With the exception of 1942 and 1946, does not include droughts when the tournament was not held due to World War II.
Longest active World Cup appearance droughts
Does not include teams that have not yet made their first appearance or teams that no longer exist.
Team | Last appearance | WC Missed |
---|---|---|
Cuba | 1938 | 18 |
Indonesia | 1938 | 18 |
Wales | 1958 | 15 |
Israel | 1970 | 12 |
DR Congo | 1974 | 11 |
Haiti | 1974 | 11 |
El Salvador | 1982 | 9 |
Kuwait | 1982 | 9 |
Canada | 1986 | 8 |
Hungary | 1986 | 8 |
Iraq | 1986 | 8 |
Northern Ireland | 1986 | 8 |
United Arab Emirates | 1990 | 7 |
Bolivia | 1994 | 6 |
Austria | 1998 | 5 |
Bulgaria | 1998 | 5 |
Jamaica | 1998 | 5 |
Norway | 1998 | 5 |
Romania | 1998 | 5 |
Scotland | 1998 | 5 |
China PR | 2002 | 4 |
Republic of Ireland | 2002 | 4 |
Turkey | 2002 | 4 |
Angola | 2006 | 3 |
Czech Republic | 2006 | 3 |
Togo | 2006 | 3 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 2006 | 3 |
Ukraine | 2006 | 3 |
New Zealand | 2010 | 2 |
North Korea | 2010 | 2 |
Paraguay | 2010 | 2 |
Slovakia | 2010 | 2 |
Slovenia | 2010 | 2 |
South Africa | 2010 | 2 |
Algeria | 2014 | 1 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2014 | 1 |
Cameroon | 2014 | 1 |
Chile | 2014 | 1 |
Ecuador | 2014 | 1 |
Ghana | 2014 | 1 |
Greece | 2014 | 1 |
Honduras | 2014 | 1 |
Italy | 2014 | 1 |
Ivory Coast | 2014 | 1 |
Netherlands | 2014 | 1 |
United States | 2014 | 1 |
Longest World Cup appearance droughts overall
Only includes droughts begun after a team's first appearance and until the team ceased to exist. Updated to include qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Footnotes
- The Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1930) and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1950–1990) qualified eight times from 1930–1990 under the name Yugoslavia prior to its breakup in 1992 by the secession of many of its constituent republics. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia qualified once in 1998 under the name Yugoslavia, then changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro in 2003, first qualifying under that name in 2006. All of these teams are considered the predecessors of the current Serbia team by FIFA, which first qualified under that name in 2010. The other national teams which resulted from the breakup of the SFR Yugoslavia in 1992 — Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia — are considered distinct entities from the Yugoslavia team of 1930–1990. Montenegro now also competes separately after independence in 2006 and Kosovo was recognized by FIFA in 2016.
- Czechoslovakia qualified eight times prior to being divided into Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 1993. FIFA considers the Czech Republic as the successor team of Czechoslovakia. The other national team which resulted from the breakup of the Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, is considered a distinct entity from the Czechoslovakia team. The Czech Republic national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time as a separate nation in 2006, with Slovakia doing the same in 2010.
- Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany since 1949, has been represented by the same governing body, Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB), since 1904. After World War II and the division of Germany, the DFB was re-admitted to FIFA after the 1950 World Cup as West Germany. Saar competed in the 1954 World Cup qualifying before joining West Germany in 1956. East Germany fielded teams from 1958 to 1990 of their own before joining with West Germany and the DFB in the German reunification. FIFA officially attributes all international results of the DFB team since 1908 to Germany, including the results of West Germany from 1954–1990.
- Indonesia competed as the Dutch East Indies in 1938.
- The Soviet Union qualified seven times prior to being dissolved in 1991. The 15 nations that were former Soviet Republics now compete separately. FIFA considers Russia as the successor team of the USSR.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo competed as Zaire in 1974.
- There was no third place match in 1930. The USA and Yugoslavia lost in the semi-finals. Both captains received bronze medals. Currently, FIFA recognizes USA as the third-placed team and Yugoslavia as the fourth-placed team, using the overall records of the teams in the 1930 World Cup.[12]
- Austria qualified in 1938, but withdrew to play as part of Germany after being annexed.
- Israel competed as Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) in 1934 and in 1938, with a team consisting exclusively of Jewish and British footballers from the Palestine Mandate.
- Republic of Ireland competed as the Irish Free State in 1934 and then as Ireland in 1938 and 1950.
- In 1982, the second round has 12 teams of which 4 progressed to the semi-finals.
References
- "The History of the FIFA World Cup". FIFA. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "World Cup". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Formats of the FIFA World Cup final competitions 1930 – 2010" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "Quiz! Can you name all 79 countries to have appeared at a World Cup finals?". FourFourTwo. June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "FIFA World Cup Teams Statistics: Teams with the most tournament participations". FIFA. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- Dawson, Alan (May 28, 2018). "The 2018 World Cup is only 2 weeks away — here's who has won every tournament since 1930". Business Insider. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "World Cup 2018: Can you name the losing finalists from previous tournaments?". BBC Sport. June 9, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "World Cup All-Time Tables (including Qualifying)". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- "FIFA World Cup™ Teams Statistics". FIFA.
- "Fact Sheet - FIFA World Cup™: All-time ranking" (PDF). FIFA. (through 2010)
- "OC for FIFA Competitions approves procedures for the Final Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup". FIFA. 14 Sep 2017.
- "1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay". FIFA.com. FIFA.
- Bond, David (November 30, 2001). "World Cup winners will have to qualify". EveningStandard. Retrieved October 14, 2015.