FIFA's Only Unranked Nation Announces Return After Six-Year Ban

FIFA's only unranked nation have announced their plans to return to international football after a six-year ban.

The 2026 World Cup is almost set, with 42 nations booking their spot for this summer's tournament.

Just six places remain as qualifiers will determine who participates at the World Cup in North America.

But the African qualifiers have wrapped up as nine nations from the continent will play at the World Cup, including Cape Verde, who will make their tournament debut.

Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and Ivory Coast have also secured their spot, not to mention Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.

But before turning their attention to the World Cup, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt and Ivory Coast harbour Africa Cup of Nations glory as they are still involved in the competition, which has reached the quarter-final stage.

Riyad Mahrez in action at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Image: Getty

Once the 2025 AFCON is in the books, organisers will look forward to the 36th instalment of the competition in 2027. It will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Eritrea, the only FIFA country that did not enter the 2026 World Cup qualification, have announced they will take part in qualification for AFCON 2027.

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The East African nation have not been permitted to play an official football match for over six years by the country's repressive regime, which deems the players a flight risk.

They haven't played a game since 2020 when they faced Sudan in a friendly, while their most recent competitive clash was in 2019 as part of the qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

In 2023, Eritrea withdrew from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers just days before their first scheduled fixture.

Eritrea have announced their plans to take part in qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Image: Getty

But FIFA released a statement confirming Eritrea's withdrawal ahead of their game against Morocco.

A statement read: "All of Eritrea's matches have been cancelled, while the rest of the match schedule for Group E remains unchanged."

At the time of the withdrawal, Eritrea midfielder Mohammed Saeid expressed his frustration at the country's government and the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF).

"I don't know why it has happened or who is in charge. It is clear that those at the top aren't taking football seriously enough," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"I feel so frustrated because there are a lot of players coming through right now with Eritrean backgrounds, many playing around Europe.

"We could compete if given a chance but when they see what is happening, will they really want to represent Eritrea in the future?

"I'm going to be able to tell my kids one day that I played for the Eritrea national team and it was one of the most amazing things I've experienced. But there are now so many players being denied this opportunity."