31/03/2026
Some countries really havenโt seen a World Cup in a lifetimeโฆ
Italyโฆ 4x World Champions. Joint 2nd most in history.
And theyโve still missed the last TWO World Cups. Madness.
Tรผrkiyeโฆ last time they touched the World Cup was 2002โฆ
and they didnโt just show up, they finished 3rd in the world.
Ukraine, Ireland, Norwayโฆ all nations with serious talent over the years, still watching from home.
And then youโve got honourable mentions that always spark debateโฆ
China, Jamaica, Finland, Venezuelaโฆ countries with huge populations or rising talent, but no real World Cup presence in recent times.
Football doesnโt care about history.
It doesnโt care about population either.
You either qualifyโฆ or you donโt.
Now hereโs where it gets interestingโฆ
The final play-off matches are coming up.
Some of these teams are battling through the European play-offs for that last World Cup spot, while other regions are also fighting for their final tickets.
One gameโฆ one momentโฆ and everything changes.
We could see some of these nations finally return to the biggest stage in football.
Or we could see more heartbreak.
Who do you think deserves to be back at the World Cup?
