There are 211 federations affiliated with FIFA, and every single one of them dreams of taking part in themost anticipated tournament: the World Cup.But only those who arecapable of surviving a true war like the Qualifiers are get the chance to do so.
Once a National Team has had the experience of being in a World Cup, it becomes an addiction. The strongest of all available in the soccer universe. That’s why the sensation of missing a chance to participate in FIFA’s main event feels like a tragedy.
The 32 spots of the Qatar 2022 World Cup already have an owner. However, there are National Teams that have already missed the opportunity to fight for the 17 remaining places, many of them World-Cup experienced. Here you have the list of the later ones.
The World-Cup experienced teams to miss Qatar 2022
Up to now, there are several National Teams that have at least once been part of a FIFA World Cup that will not be able to take part in the Qatar 2022 experience. With them, world-class stars, such as Erling Braut Haaland,Marco Verratti,Aleksandr Golovin and Mohamed Salahwill miss the opportunity to shine at the highest level.
Algeria
Even the talent of Riyad Mahrez, one of the best players in the world, has not been enough for Algeria to return to a World Cup. It will not be at Qatar 2022 after losing the ticket to the upcoming FIFA World Cup to Cameroon. The Fennec Foxes have only played in the 1982, 1986, 2010, and 2014 editions of this tournament so far.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria National Team. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Angola
The Palancas Negrashave participated in FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 but could not advance to the Round of 16. In the current African Qualifiers, they have failed to qualify to the third round as they laid at the bottom of Group F, surpassed by Egipt, Gabon, and Libya.
Angola National Team. (Instagram: @faf_angola)
Austria
With a 2-1 loss against Gareth Bale’s Wales in the European Qualifiers Playoffs,Das Teamsaid goodbye to its possibilities to return to the FIFA World Cup for the sixth time in a row. The one of France 1998 was the last one that Austria has attended so far.
Marcel Sabitzer, Austria National Team. (Christian Hofer/Getty Images)
Bolivia
USA 1994 was the last World Cup in which Bolivia participated, led by the historic Marco Etcheverry. Unfortunately for La Verde, this will continue to be the case after their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 was confirmed after being defeated 3-0 by Colombia in round 17 of the Qualifiers. So far, Bolivia has participated in only three World Cups (1930, 1950, and 1994).
Bolivia National Team missed another World Cup. (Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Dragonshad their first World Cup appearance in Brazil 2014. Unfortunately for them, it will remain as their only World-Cup experience, because they did not succeed on UEFA Qualifiers Group D, in which they finished fourth.
Bosnia National Team. (Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Bulgaria
The Lionshave participated so far in7 editions of FIFA’sWorld Cup. Their biggestaccomplishment is fourth place in United States 1994by the hand of legendary Hristo Stoichkov. 2022 European Qualifiers saw them fail in their attempt to overcome Group C.
Bulgaria National Team. (Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Colombia
Colombia’s miracle to qualify for Qatar 2022 seemed to be coming together in an almost handcrafted manner until the need for Peru to cooperate with their cause crossed their path and everything was torn in half. Thus, the Cafetaleros broke their streak of two consecutive World Cups out of the six in which they have participated in total.
Juan Fernando Quintero, Colombia National Team. (Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)
Chile
La Roja seems to be waking up from its slumber. After enjoying the best generation of players in its history, Chile is now in its second consecutive World Cup without qualifying, after being eliminated from Qatar 2022 with a drubbing by Brazil. Chile’s best participation was in 1962 when it finished third as host of the tournament.
Alexis Sanchez could not take Chile to Qatar 2022. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
China
The first FIFA World Cup to be held in Asia, the one of 2002, witnessed China’s first and only appearance in the tournament so far. The red-shirted team is at the bottom of the Group B of the Asian Qualifiers Third Round with no chance to be in Qatar 2022.
China National Team. (Minh Hoang/Getty Images)
Cuba
The Island team is far away from repeating its experience in France 1938 World Cup. With more important problems to solve in their land,theLions of the Caribeancould not advance from the first round of Concacaf Qualifiers.
Cuba National Team. (Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Czech Republic
Sweden crossed the Czech Republic’s path with a 1-0 win to leave them out of Qatar 2022. The Czechs have not attended a World Cup since Germany 2006 when Rosicky, Nedved, Koller, Poborsky and company were eliminated in the group stage. So far, including their time as Czechoslovakia, they have participated in 9 World Cups.
Czech Republic National Team. (David Lidstrom/Getty Images)
DR Congo
Once again, DR Congo failed to pull off a surprise and qualify for the World Cup. This time, their executioner in the African Qualifiers was Morocco, with a resounding 4-1. In all their history, the Leopards have only participated in one World Cup: Germany 1974.
RD Congo National Team. (Billal Bensalem/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Egypt
They say that in life you can’t have everything, and this applies perfectly to Liverpool FC fans, who will enjoy Sadio Mané at Qatar 2022, but not Mohamed Salah, whose national team was eliminated by his teammate. Thus, Egypt will be left with only 3 World Cup participation so far: 1934, 1990, and 2018.
Mohamed Salah, Egypt National Team. (Omar Zoheiry/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Greece
UEFA 2022 Qualifiers were a tough challenge that theEthnikiwas not capable of overcoming, as it has shared Group B with Spain and Sweden. Greece will remain with the memories of its 3 participations in a FIFA World Cup: 1994, 2010, and 2014.
Greece National Team. (Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images))
Haiti
Germany 1974 has been the only World Cup to hostLes Grenadiersso far. Current Concacaf Qualifiers leaderCanada was the one that has taken away Haiti’s hopes to be in Qatar 2022, by defeating it in the Second Round.
Haiti National Team. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Honduras
Los Catrachoswill miss FIFA World Cup again. Spain 1982, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014 are the only editions in which they have participated. Currently, they sadly lay at the bottom of Concacaf Qualifiers.
Honduras National Team. (Mauricio Salas/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Hungary
Far away are the times when the Magyarokhave been runners-up of a FIFA World Cup: France 1938 and Switzerland 1954. UEFA Qualifiers saw them fail in their attempt of conquering Group I with England, Poland, and Albania surpassing them in the Standings.
Hungary National Team. (Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Iceland
TheStrákarnir okkarwere allowed to take part in World Cups since 1958. However, they could reach the tournament until Russia 2018. Unfortunately, they are going to witnessthe Qatar 2022 event through a screen as they could not triumph in UEFA Qualifiers Group J.
Iceland National Team. (Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Indonesia
As Dutch East Indies, this National Team competed in France 1938 World Cup. Since then, and renamed Indonesia in 1945,Tim Garudahas not had yet the skills to qualify for FIFA’s main tournament. It could not advance from the Second Round of Asian 2022Qualifiers.
Indonesia National Team. (Andrew Gal/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Iraq
Iraq National Team’s World Cup memories are limited to the 3 matches it has played in the Group stage of Mexico 1986. Unfortunately for their cause, they will not be able to add to them at Qatar 2022, having missed out on any chance of qualifying in the Asian Qualifiers.
Iraq National Team. (Meghdad Madadi ATPImages/Getty Images)
Ireland
Japan-Korea 2002 will remain as Ireland’s last appearance in a World Cup so far, asthe Boys in greenended third in the Group A of the European Qualifiers, surpassed by Serbia and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Ireland National Team. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Israel
The Chosen Teamwas not able to break its curse and could not qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup. Denmark and Scotland outdid Israel in Group F of the UEFA Qualifiers. Mexico 1970 was the only World Cupparticipation ofThe Blue and Whites.
Israel National Team. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Italy
For the first time in its history, Italy has not qualified for two consecutive World Cups. Qatar 2022 will miss one of the best teams of this tournament, a four-time Champion and current European King. Young talents such as Donarumma, Bastoni, Barella, and Berardi will have to wait four more years to play soccer’s main tournament after North Macedonia defeated theAzzurra1-0 in the European Qualifiers Playoffs.
Italy will be missed in Qatar 2022. (Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Ivory Coast
After linking 12 years of success, by qualifying to Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014, Ivory Coast lost for the second time in a row its chance to be part of FIFA’s World Cup. On its defense, it was Cameroon the team that defeated it in Group D standings of the African Qualifiers.
Ivory Coast National Team. (Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Jamaica
The Reggae Boyzhave said goodbye to Qatar 2022 World Cup after being smashed by Costa Rica in Kingston in the eleventh matchday of Concacaf Qualifiers. The only occasion Jamaica has been in a World Cup was in France 1998.
Jamaica National Team. (Hector Vivas / Getty Images)
Kuwait
Spain 1982 is the only edition of the FIFA World Cup in which Kuwait has taken part. Group B of theSecond Round of Asian Qualifiers was an insurmountable obstacle for theAl-Azraq, specifically with Australia as a rival.
Kuwait National Team. (Jaber Abdulkhaleg/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
New Zealand
The All Whites couldn’t avoid a loss to Costa Rica at the Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The last time New Zealand participated in a World Cup was 12 years ago forthe 2010 South Africa World Cup. So the Kiwis tied their longest absence streak in World Cups with 28 years, as they will have a new chance toqualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Nando Pijnaker of New Zealand – Joe Allison/Getty Images
Nigeria
Qatar 2022 represented a major blow for the Super Eagles after their streak of three consecutive World Cups played (2010, 2014, and 2018) was cut short. So far, Nigeria has participated in 6 World Cups in which their highest achievement has been reaching the Round of 16.
Nigeria during its participation in Russia 2018. (FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
North Korea
In England 1966, theChollimashocked the world by ending in eighth place. However, this could not turn into a tradition as they have only qualified for one more World Cup since then: South Africa 2010… And it will not be different in Qatar 2022 as they have decided to withdraw from the Qualifiers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
North Korea National Team. (Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Northern Ireland
The Green and White Armyfailed again in their attempt of joining the FIFA World Cup. UEFA Qualifiers Group C was too much for them with Switzerland and Italy taking the first two places in the standings.Northern Ireland has participated so far only in Sweden 1958, Spain 1982, and Mexico 1986 World Cups.
Northern Ireland National Team. (David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Norway
TheDrilloshave participated in 3 World Cup editions so far: France 1938, United States 1994, and France 1998. Not even with two young stars as Martin Odegaard and Erling Braut Haaland, Norway was able of breaking its curse, by ending third in the UEFA Qualifiers Group G.
Norway National Team. (Andre Weening/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Panama
Four years after their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance, Panama couldn’t repeat that feat for Qatar 2022. Hernan ‘Bolillo’ Gomez led the Canaleros to a historic World Cup qualification for Russia 2018 but Thomas Christiansen couldn’t make it two in a row.
Panama National Team. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Paraguay
Los Guaraníesare living their second-longest streak without qualifying to a World Cup in their history as they have no chance to be Qatar 2022, just as it has happened in Brazil 2014, and Russia 2018. So far, Paraguay has 8 appearances in FIFA’s major tournaments: 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, and2010.
Paraguay National Team. (Luis Vera/Getty Images)
Peru
Peru have a rich history in the World Cup. The Blanquirrojo have participated in 5 World Cup editionssuch as the1930, 1970, 1978, 1982 and 2018 editions.Peru got elimintad to Australia in a penalty shootout at Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha, Qatar in the last round before the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Peru National Team (Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Romania
The UEFA Qualifiers Group J was a brake on the Romanian aspirations of being in Qatar 2022. The Tricolorii have not been inthe lastsixFIFA World Cup editions. Their sixth place in United States 1994 was the best of its seven participations so far.
Romania National Team. (Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Russia
Soccer is more than just a sport, is a social phenomenon that influences but also is influenced by social facts. Then, as the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine unfortunately began, FIFA took the decision to ban both Russian National Team and clubs from all competitions, this means they will miss Qatar 2022. So far, the former Soviet squad has participated in 11 FIFA World Cups: its highest achievement is fourth place in England 1966.
Aleksandr Golovin, Russia National Team. (Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Slovakia
TheSokolihad the chance of participating in FIFA’s World Cups since 1998. However, they have only achieved to qualify to South Africa 2010. Qatar 2022 will be one more of the editions they missed after finishing third in the Group H of European Qualifiers.
Slovakia National Team. (Anze Malovrh/kolektiffimages/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Slovenia
After the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1992, Slovenia appeared on the map. Since then, the Slovenes have taken part in the World Cups of 2002 and 2010. Unfortunately for them, they could not be able to celebrate its 20 years birthday in Qatar 2022 as being surpassed in UEFA Qualifiers Group H by Croatia and Russia.
Slovenia National Team. (Milos Vujinovic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
South Africa
After theBafana Bafanahave hosted FIFA’s World Cup in 2010, they have not been able to qualify for any other of this tournament’s further editions. They were close to breaking their negative streak in Qatar 2022 but Ghana outdid them in the Group G of theAfrican Qualifiers.
South Africa National Team. (Lefty Shivambu – Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Sweden
After a nice performance in Russia 2018, its best since 1958 when it has become the runner up of the edition hosted in its land, Sweden will remember Qatar 2022 as a bitter moment, given that it has failed to qualify to it after losing 2-0 to Poland. So far,the Blue and Yellowhave attended 12 World Cups.
Victor Lindelof, Sweden National Team. (PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
Turkey
Again, the Turkish team failed in its attempt to come back to a FIFA World Cup. This time, it was Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who destroy its hopes to qualify to Qatar 2022 with a 3-1 victory in Porto. So far, The Crescent-Starshave attended just two World Cups: Switzerland 1954, and Korea-Japan 2002, in which they achieved the third place.
Burak Yilmaz, Turkey National Team. (Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Togo
Les Épervier’sbiggest achievement so far is their participation in Germany 2006 World Cup. This one will remain as the only time they have stepped in soccer’s biggest scenario as they have failed to qualify to Qatar 2022 by finishing second in African Qualifiers Group H.
Togo National Team. (Facebook: @EperviersDuTogo)
Trinidad and Tobago
Unfortunately forSocaWarriors,they have split of England just before the latter have won the 1966 World Cup. As a National Team T&T has only participated in one World Cup: Germany 2006. Qatar 2022 is a dream that turned into a nightmare really soon for the Island as their team was not able to surpass Concacaf Qualifiers’ first round.
Trinidad and Tobago National Team. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Ukraine
Ukraine lost to Wales in the World Cup qualification play-off and will not participate in Qatar 2022. It was not an easy year for Ukraine, the country represented by Oleksandr Zinchenko, among others, was invaded by Russia and finds in the middle of a war. The Zbirna’s only participation in a World Cup was in Germany 2006,when they reached the quarterfinals.
Oleksandr Zinchenko of Ukraine/ Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
