Since the FIFA World Cup in 1938, several countries have been banned, excluded, or prevented from participating for reasons that extend far beyond the football pitch.

From global conflicts and political crises to administrative failures, missed deadlines, government interference, and outright misconduct, multiple nations have found themselves unable to compete in football’s biggest tournament.

This comprehensive list traces every instance, spanning from 1938 to 2026, where a country was banned or excluded from the World Cup, along with the reasons behind FIFA’s decisions.

It offers a historical look at how geopolitics, wars, and governance issues have shaped the world’s most-watched sporting event.

Here are the countries banned or excluded from FIFA World Cups (1938- 2026):

1. 1938 World Cup – France ‘38

Banned / Excluded

• Spain – Application rejected due to the Spanish Civil War (some accounts say Spain withdrew).

2. 1950 World Cup – Brazil ‘50

Banned

• Germany – Banned after World War II.

• Japan – Banned after World War II.

3. 1954 World Cup – Switzerland ‘54

Excluded (Missed FIFA deadline)

• Iceland – Late application

• Bolivia – Late application

• Costa Rica – Late application

• Cuba – Late application

• Vietnam – Late application

• India – Late application

4. 1958 World Cup – Sweden ‘58

Excluded

• South Korea – Reason unclear; believed to be late/format-related

• Ethiopia – Reason unclear; believed to be late/format-related

Withdrew due to refusing to play Israel

• Turkey

• Indonesia

• Sudan

5. 1966 World Cup – England ‘66

Banned

• South Africa – Banned due to apartheid and African nations’ boycott.

Excluded (Administrative/technical issues)

• Guatemala – Missed deadline

• Congo – Failed to submit written request

• Philippines – Failed to pay required fees

6. 1970 World Cup – Mexico ‘70

Rejected by FIFA

• Guinea – Reason unknown

• Zaire (DR Congo) – Reason unknown

Did not participate (unclear reasons)

• Albania

7. 1982 World Cup – Spain ‘82

Excluded

• Central African Republic – Late application and unpaid fees

8. 1986 World Cup – Mexico ‘86

Effectively Banned (Conflict-related)

• Iran – Did not participate because they refused to play on neutral grounds during the Iran–Iraq War.

(Technically a withdrawal rather than a FIFA ban.)

Participated despite the war

• Iraq – Played “home” matches on neutral grounds and qualified.

9. 1990 World Cup – Italy ‘90

Banned

• Mexico – Suspended due to age falsification scandal in U-20 qualifiers (“Los Cachirules”).

10. 1994 World Cup – USA ‘94

Banned

• Yugoslavia – Due to UN sanctions during the Yugoslav Wars

• Libya – Banned due to terrorism allegations

• Chile – Banned after goalkeeper Roberto Rojas faked being hit by a flare (“Maracanazo scandal’’)

11. 2002 World Cup – Korea/Japan ‘02

Excluded

• Guiana – Financial constraints prevented participation

12. 2014 World Cup – Brazil ‘14

Banned

• Brunei – Government interference in the football federation

13. 2018 World Cup – Russia ‘18

Banned

• Indonesia – Government interference in federation

• Zimbabwe – Failure to pay former coach José Claudinei

14. 2022 World Cup – Qatar ‘22

Banned / Suspended

• Russia – Suspended due to the Ukraine invasion

(Includes all Russian national and club teams.)

15. 2026 World Cup – USA/Canada/Mexico ‘26

Banned / Suspended

• Congo – Governance violations

• Pakistan – Governance violations

• Russia – Still suspended over Ukraine invasion (The Nation)