FIFA has banned 17 countries for breaking official regulations as major 2026 World Cup decision made

As of August 2025, 210 countries feature in the FIFA men's rankings - with East African nation Eritrea unranked as they have not played a competitive match in the last four years.

It has been claimed that their governing body often take the decision to postpone games to avoid players trying escape from the country and request political asylum when playing away games.

Eritrea are not banned from competing as they are still eligible to do so. However, 17 countries have been suspended from football - including one who remain unable to play in competitive fixtures.

Russia

Having hosted the 2018 World Cup won by France, Russia were banned by FIFA and UEFA in May 2022 - following on from the invasion of Ukraine and a plethora of European associations refusing to play them.

They were banned from the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 as well as qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Russia remain banned from the World Cup. Image: Getty

In recent times Russia have played Belarus, Nigeria, Zambia and Grenada in unofficial friendly fixtures and Donald Trump has hinted at Russia returning.

At the first meeting of his administration's 2026 World Cup task force, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he hopes "peace will happen and Russia can be readmitted - which prompted the US president to reply, "That could be a good incentive, right? We want them to stop."

South Africa

Fellow World Cup hosts South Africa were banned during the period of racial apartheid. It was lifted in 1963 following a visit from then-FIFA President Stanley Rous but his successor Joao Havelange expelled them in 1976.

The suspension was lifted properly in 1991 when apartheid was nearing its end and they won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996.

Mexico

For different reasons, Mexico were banned from two tournaments because they fielded four overage players during a qualifying round for a world junior tournament.

Having been the hosts in 1986, four years later they were not allowed to complete at the showpiece in Italy, where West Germany went all the way.

Chile

In easily the most bizarre reason for a World Cup ban, goalkeeper Roberto Rojas used a hidden blade in his glove to cut himself in a qualifier against Brazil - and pretended he had been injured by a flare thrown by a fan.

Chile's ban is among the most bizarre in football history. Image: Getty

His actions led to him being banned for life and his country suffered too as they were not allowed to compete at the 1994 World Cup.

Germany and Japan

In the 1950 World Cup, the first since 1938, Germany and Japan were barred due to their actions during World War II. Many years later, both went on to successfully host the tournament four years apart.

Pakistan

Pakistan were first suspended by FIFA when its federation's offices came under the control of an administrator, who had been put in place by a court in a move which breached FIFA's third-party rules.

A second suspension came in 2021 when a "hostile takeover" of the Pakistan Football Federation took place and then the hat-trick was completed when the association had failed to adopt a constitution approved by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation amid governance issues.

It was lifted in March after the PFF agreed to comply.

Congo

In a similar timeframe, Congo were suspended in February following government interference. They were readmitted after FIFA were satisfied that the requested conditions were met.