In total, FIFA has banned 17 countries for violating its official regulations since 1950, including three countries whose football federations were suspended due to “severe circumstances” before the 2026 World Cup.
As of February 2025, 211 countries are ranked in the FIFA men’s football world rankings, while 194 compete in international women’s football.
One of the countries currently banned from competing in FIFA-approved matches is Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Last year, FIFA and UEFA decided to maintain Russia’s suspension from international competitions until the 2026 World Cup.
As reported last week, FIFA has also suspended the football federations of two other countries—Congo and Pakistan—due to severe circumstances, preventing them from competing in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In total, 17 countries have been banned by FIFA since 2006. Some have been reinstated, while others remain suspended.
In most cases, countries have been banned by FIFA due to third-party interference—usually from governments—in football matters.
Germany and Japan (1950 World Cup)
Germany and Japan were banned from participating in the 1950 World Cup, the first one held since 1938, due to their actions during World War II.
Additionally, the Japan Football Federation was suspended in 1945 for failing to meet financial obligations, while the German federation was dissolved and not reinstated until after the tournament.
South Africa (1970-1990 World Cup)
South Africa was suspended from FIFA in 1961 due to its strict apartheid policies, but Sir Stanley Rous, chairman of the English Football Federation and FIFA president from 1961 to 1974, rejected calls for their exclusion.
The decision to expel South Africa was made in 1976 when João Havelange replaced Rous as president.
The suspension was not lifted until 1991 when apartheid began to end and a new football federation was established.
Mexico (1990 World Cup)
Mexico was banned from participating in FIFA tournaments for two years after using four over-age players during a qualifying round for an international youth tournament.
As a result, they missed the 1990 World Cup, which was won by West Germany.
Chile (1994 World Cup)
Chile was banned from the 1994 World Cup after it was revealed that its goalkeeper, Roberto Rojas, had used a hidden knife to injure himself during a match against Brazil.
He had previously claimed that he had been injured by a flare thrown by a fan. Rojas was later banned from football for life.
Myanmar (2006 World Cup)
Myanmar, which has never qualified for a World Cup, was banned from participating in the qualifying stage for the 2006 edition in Germany.
They were also fined $23,500 for withdrawing from a 2002 World Cup qualifying match scheduled in Iran.
Other countries banned by FIFA 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).
