FIFA has suspended the football associations of 17 countries from participating in the World Cup since 1950. The most recent suspensions include Russia, Pakistan, and the Republic of Congo, which have been barred from the 2026 World Cup.
List of Banned Countries:
Germany & Japan (1950): Banned following World War II due to their wartime actions.
South Africa (1970–1990): Suspended because of apartheid policies; the ban was lifted in 1991.
Mexico (1990): Banned for fielding overage players in the U-20 World Cup, leading to a two-tournament suspension.
Chile (1994): Suspended due to government interference in the national football federation.
Indonesia (1995): Banned for government interference in the national football federation.
Kuwait (1990): Suspended for political interference during the Gulf War.
Yugoslavia (1992): Banned due to UN sanctions amid the breakup of the country.
Zaire (1974): Banned for political interference.
Nigeria (1994): Suspended for government interference in the national football federation.
Pakistan (2025): Suspended for failure to adopt constitutional amendments required by FIFA and the AFC.
Republic of Congo (2025): Suspended due to third-party interference in the national football federation.
Russia (2022): Suspended due to geopolitical issues and violations of FIFA’s statutes.
Kenya (2022): Suspended for government interference in the national football federation.
Zimbabwe (2022): Suspended for government interference in the national football federation.
Iraq (1994): Banned due to political interference.
Bahrain (1994): Suspended for government interference in the national football federation.
Syria (2018): Suspended for government interference in the national football federation.
These suspensions highlight FIFA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport by ensuring that national football associations operate independently and adhere to the organization’s statutes.
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