Top 20 Nations Ranked
As the international break returns, excitement for the 2026 World Cup grows, with various nations eyeing potential qualification for the tournament in North America. Currently, 28 of the 48 participating nations have secured their places, including powerhouses like England, Argentina, and Brazil, alongside the three host nations. This leaves 20 spots still up for grabs as the qualification process continues until next March. Which teams will be most eager to qualify for the World Cup? Today at Transfermarkt, we’ve delved into the records to compile a list of national teams that have experienced the longest waits since their last World Cup appearance, featuring several notable teams in the top 20.
Longest Waits Since Last World Cup
The following list highlights the 20 nations that have gone the longest without qualifying for the World Cup. Entering the top 20 are Ukraine and the Czech Republic, both of which last participated 19 years ago, in 2006. They are closely followed by the Republic of Ireland and Türkiye, each at 23 years since their last qualification in 2002. A larger group, including Norway, Romania, Jamaica, Austria, Scotland, and Bulgaria, all share a 27-year gap since their appearances in the 1998 World Cup in France. Bolivia has been absent for 31 years since the 1994 World Cup in the United States, while the United Arab Emirates last featured 35 years ago, during the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
The 39-year mark is shared by Iraq, Northern Ireland, and Hungary, who last appeared in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Kuwait and El Salvador have faced a 43-year absence since Spain 1982, having both once surprised the football world. Haiti, with 51 years since their sole appearance in 1974, and Israel, with 55 years since 1970, exemplify teams that reached the pinnacle of football but have struggled to maintain that success. At the top of the list is Cuba, whose absence stretches back 87 years to the 1938 World Cup in France, marking them as the nation with the longest ongoing wait for a World Cup appearance.
Which Nations Could Break Their Drought?
Although none of the 20 nations listed have qualified for the upcoming tournament, several still have a fighting chance to make it to next year’s competition in North America. Among European contenders, Scotland, Ukraine, Türkiye, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are all positioned second in their qualification groups, while Norway and Austria are currently leading theirs.
In South America, Bolivia is currently seventh, aiming for a potential playoff spot. In Asia, the United Arab Emirates is set to face Iraq in a playoff to determine which country can keep its hopes alive of qualifying for their first World Cup in over 30 years. Additionally, excitement builds in CONCACAF, where Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and El Salvador are still in contention for qualification, either through direct qualification as group winners or by advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs.
