With the complete list of 48 teams for the Canada, Mexico, and United States World Cup now available, Transfermarkt has also listed the rankings of national teams that have not qualified for the 2026 World Cup and been absent for the longest duration.
Ranking of time elapsed since last World Cup participation (Last Participation)
1. Cuba: 88 years (1938 World Cup in France)
2. Israel: 56 years (1970 World Cup in Mexico)
3. Kuwait: 44 years (1982 World Cup in Spain)
3. El Salvador: 44 years (1982 World Cup in Spain)
5. Hungary: 40 years (1986 World Cup in Mexico)
5. Northern Ireland: 40 years (1986 World Cup in Mexico)
7. United Arab Emirates: 36 years (1990 World Cup in Italy)
8. Bolivia: 32 years (1994 World Cup in the United States)
9. Romania: 28 years (1998 World Cup in France)
9. Bulgaria: 28 years (1998 World Cup in France)
9. Jamaica: 28 years (1998 World Cup in France)
12. China: 24 years (2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan)
12. Republic of Ireland: 24 years (2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan)
14. Angola: 20 years (2006 World Cup in Germany)
14. Ukraine: 20 years (2006 World Cup in Germany)
14. Trinidad and Tobago: 20 years (2006 World Cup in Germany)
14. Togo: 20 years (2006 World Cup in Germany)
18. Slovakia: 16 years (2010 World Cup in South Africa)
18. North Korea: 16 years (2010 World Cup in South Africa)
18. Slovenia: 16 years (2010 World Cup in South Africa)
Bimaenoruz
1
Namibia ๐ณ๐ฆ since day one
Namibia since day one
Israelโ11โ
0
those countries never participated at all. Just like my country Namibia
So sad ๐
Israelโ11โ
0
What's about my country Liberia too?๐
You guyโs have never been there ๐ฅฑ๐
Israelโ11โ
0
What about Sierra Leone ๐ธ๐ฑ?
Bro Sierra Leone has never been @ a World Cup tournament ๐๐ฅฑ
Israelโ11โ
0
sierra Leone we never played qualifications
The struggle real ๐ซ
wopcdlosty
0
People sometimes needs to go back to school and learn basic common Sense. The heading sad those nations that once participated guys lol. We know other countries will find it tough to qualify imagine Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Gambia, Somalia, Yemen, Turkmenistan
wetbdlmnsy
0
what about country name malasie( fam )
malaysia?
Poscdkosuy
2
sierra Leone we never played qualifications
jonasboicky
0
Namibia ๐ณ๐ฆ since day one
hahaha ๐คฃ๐๐คฃ Namibia for you
vasadkoy
2
Namibia ๐ณ๐ฆ since day one
fiabdlprt
0
Wawbceiknr
2
South sudan ๐ธ๐ธsince day one ๐คฃ๐คฃ, no world cup app
mahbcekory
6
But some Country haven't made an appearance there
bozakmnsuy
0
and Zambia
Sanusimustapha90
1
I want to believe this list consists of only those who have participated in the world cup at least once, that's why some of the countries some of you are mentioning are not there. which means those countries are likely not to have ever participated in the world cup. Or probably those countries still participated in the last 2 -3 world cup.
vasbknstz
2
nigeria go soon join the pist
nucaciknpt
1
what about country name malasie( fam )
yeubcdekms
0
Uganda
Zeedikloz
1
Where is Italy
GaddafiJamal
0
why Malawi is not in this group just asking for a friend
Cos Theyโve Never Played At A World Cup
riycklopt
0
Cuba with 88 yrs, it obvious they have never participated before
are you blind they participated in the 1938 world cup
Wadabprtu
2
why Malawi is not in this group just asking for a friend
suzdelnrsz
1
TANZANIA ๐น๐ฟ๐น๐ฟ๐น๐ฟ
vopceioru
2
What about Sierra Leone ๐ธ๐ฑ?
I think they are referring to countries that once participated in a World Cup
Suhacklosu
0
What about Sierra Leone ๐ธ๐ฑ?
Diuabmnpz
1
What's about my country Liberia too?๐
Still dreaming ๐
peaaosyz
0
What's about my country Liberia too?๐
zawbdkntuy
0
so funny Sierra Leone, Guinea Liberia has never tasted of playing in world cup in their entire existence
Bupadmru
1
Kenya can't even identify a football anymore lols ๐ ๐คฃ ๐
kinailnyz
4
Tell me if im wrongโฆ The calculation here is rather funny,cos according to Transfermarket every year a country is supposed to go to the World cup๐ค Why not calculate according to editions?
Ropina
3
what about Kenya ๐ฐ๐ช ?
luhcdlnruy
2
where is united states of Uganda๐๐
PrimeGeorge07
0
Free palistine
From what?
Adetokhunbo
3
Am I the getting this post wrong or there's a mistake. The last time India qualified for the world Cup was in 1950 which is 76 years ago so how are they not on the list?
Kevin201
0
Cubans barley plays futbol
Shift your l and e. You nearly cooked English ๐คฃ
Kevin201
1
And there's India not in the list, proud 2 billion people ๐คฃ
Daoemnoty
3
Free palistine
Daoemnoty
1
Israel are๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ๐คฌ
viyabcdeop
2
Uganda eternally ๐๐
Paeaeiklmy
5
wow that's good I like lvlpool
Mani1516
1
where is india
They have never played one and by looking at the things going on with AIFF India might never play one.
Zekbcdmpty
0
us here in Zambia since the introduction of football
๐๐ Namibia too
sebdopyz
1
India, Pakistan infinity ๐
yombekmosu
2
us here in Zambia since the introduction of football
moebklsyz
0
where is india
buyacntyz
2
where is my Uganda ๐๐คฒ
piyckotuz
0
Liberia 100 years
MichaelAyugi
0
So, where is Kenya????
Deacdorsz
0
uganda has never made any appearance in the world cup ๐.... I love you my Uganda ๐บ๐ฌ
๐บ๐ฌ๐บ๐ฌ๐บ๐ฌ๐บ๐ฌ๐บ๐ฌ
rapiknprsy
1
Italy 12 years๐