FIFA refuse to allow eight countries to play in official matches because they are not recognised nations

FIFA are refusing to allow eight countries to play competitive matches as football's governing body does not recognise them as official nations.

At present, 210 nations compete in men's international matches, with Eritrea being the only nation that are currently unranked as they have not played a game during the most recent four-year period.

A smaller amount of 194 nations compete in women's international matches, with some unranked either for the same reason as Eritrea or because they have not played more than five matches against officially ranked opponents.

But there are eight sovereign nations who are unable to compete in FIFA-sanctioned matches.

In most cases, the nations do have international football teams but are not affiliated to either FIFA or their nearest continental governing body.

There is technically a ninth sovereign state that does not play FIFA matches - the United Kingdom. The state does, of course, compete in international football through the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland national teams.

Here are the eight other nations:

Vatican City

Football in the Vatican City dates back over the past six centuries, with the sport played there for the first time in 1521.

Despite football being popular among several heads of the Catholic church, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, the state has still not been admitted to FIFA.

There have been contrasting views internally over whether the Vatican City should apply for UEFA membership, though it was reported that Pope Francis - who supports Argentine giants San Lorenzo - spoke to Aleksander Ceferin about possible membership ahead of the Euro 2020 final.

The Vatican City also has a prominent women's team, with a squad of around 25 taking on Serie A side Roma in a friendly in 2019.

Monaco

Monaco has a proud history in a number of popular sports, including various disciplines of motorsport, but its esteem in football is less well-known.

The Monegasque Football Federation was set up back in 2000, and the team has played some of its games in southern France, but it isn't a part of UEFA or FIFA.

The team has a varied history in terms of opposition, welcoming sovereign opponents from amateur backgrounds and even European club sides.

Micronesia

Fans of football in the Federated States of Micronesia, to give the nation its full name, haven't had too much success to enjoy over the years.

In 2015, its under-23 side were thrashed 38-0 by Fiji at the Pacific Games, with coach Stan Foster telling the media that his players would need counselling.

Last year, the nation's football association, along with British writer Paul Watson, set up and administrated its first official tournament, in futsal, in the hope of pushing closer to FIFA recognition. It hasn't happened yet, though.

Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands may be the closest of the eight nations to be given FIFA recognition.

The team has never been a member of any confederation but is reportedly hoping to be admitted to the Asian Football Confederation.

There are plans for the Marshall Islands to play their first-ever match, which is due to take place next summer.

Nauru

Like several other nations in this list, Nauru do not have a long history in terms of football.

They have played just two recorded matches in the past 30 years, though have attempted - unsuccessfully - to apply for membership of the Oceania Football Confederation.

But the Nauru Soccer Federation re-launched in 2023, and they are raising funds to take on Reading XL later this year. Nauru are currently managed by former Reading star Dave Kitson.

Palau

The 16th smallest country in the world, it perhaps won't surprise you to read that Palau have never been FIFA-affiliated either.

They are set to compete in a subregional tournament next summer alongside other Micronesian islands, including Kiribati, Micronesia, Nauru and the Marshall Islands.

Kiribati

Kiribati have played international football since 1979 and competed at several editions of the Pacific Games.

Their future in football was unclear, though, as they haven't played a match since 2011 and withdrew from the 2023 Pacific Games just two weeks before it was due to start for unspecified reasons. However, they appear to be part of the Micronesian islands tournament in 2025.

The women's team has only played six recorded matches - all in 2003 - and their future is also unclear.

Tuvalu

The Tuvalu national football team pictured in 2018 (Image: Getty)

In 2017, the island country of Tuvalu - which is situated between Hawaii and Australia - was regarded as the second least-populous country in the world, behind the Vatican City. It spans just 26 square kilometres.

The country does have a domestic structure, which is dominated by 26-time winners Nauti FC. There is a women's equivalent of the league and cup, and an official told FIFA that the country was 'working with the OFC to develop a strategy that will promote the participation of women in football'.

They were also formerly part of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), and even participated in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match when it was used as part of the 2008 Pacific Games.

They also competed in the 2023 edition of that tournament, and several of their players have gone on to represent teams in the Australian A-League.