In total, FIFA have banned 17 countries for breaking their official regulations since 1950 – including three who have had their football associations suspended due to 'serious circumstances' ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
As of February 2025, 211 different nations are ranked in the FIFA's men's world rankings, with 194 competing in women's international football.
One of the nations currently banned from competing in FIFA-sanctioned matches are Russia following their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Last year, FIFA and UEFA decided to uphold Russia's ban from worldwide competitions through to the 2026 World Cup.
And as we reported last week, FIFA has suspended the football federations of two other nations – Congo and Pakistan – with immediate effect due to serious circumstances, essentially banning them from the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
In total, there are 17 countries who have been banned by FIFA since 2006. And while some of them have since been readmitted, others remain suspended.
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In most of those cases, countries are banned from FIFA due to third-party interference – usually from the government – in footballing affairs.
Germany and Japan (1950 World Cup)
Germany and Japan were both barred from the 1950 World Cup – the first to be held since 1938 because of their actions during World War II.
In addition, the Japan Football Association was suspended in 1945 for failure to pay dues, while its German counterpart was completely disbanded in 1945 and not re-organised until after the tournament.
South Africa (1970 World Cup - 1990 World Cup)
South Africa were formerly suspended by FIFA in 1961 due to the nation's strict apartheid policies but Sir Stanley Rous, the FA chief who was appointed as FIFA president between 1961 and 1974, resisted calls to expel them from FIFA.
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The nation was eventually expelled in 1976 once Joao Havelange replaced Rous.
The ban was not lifted until 1991, when apartheid was beginning to reach its end and a new football federation was formed.
A ban on playing tournaments officially began in 1970, though technically lasted through the 1966 World Cup as South Africa were simply not admitted as a FIFA member.
Mexico (1990 World Cup)
Mexico were barred from competing in FIFA tournaments for two years after they fielded four overage players during a qualifying round for a world junior tournament.
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That meant they missed the 1990 World Cup, which was won by West Germany.
Chile (1994 World Cup)
Chile were banned from the 1994 World Cup after it was found that their goalkeeper Roberto Rojas had used a hidden blade in his glove to cut himself during a match against Brazil.
He previously claimed that he had been injured by a flare thrown by a fan. Rojas was subsequently banned from football for life.
Myanmar (2006 World Cup)
Myanmar, who have never qualified for a World Cup, were banned from even competing in the qualifying stages for the 2006 edition in Germany.
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They were also fined $23,500 after pulling out of a qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup that was due to be played in Iran.
The other countries FIFA have banned include Russia (2022 World Cup, Euro 2024), Iraq (2008 and 2009), Nigeria (2014), Kuwait (2015), Indonesia (2015), Guatemala (2016), Pakistan (2017, 2021, 2025), Chad (2021), Zimbabwe (2022), Kenya (2022) and Congo (2025)
Topics: FIFA, FIFA World Cup, Russia
Jack Kenmare