See The 8 Countries FIFA Doesn’t Recognise As Football-Playing Nations

See The 8 Countries FIFA Doesn’t Recognise As Football-Playing Nations

See The 8 Countries FIFA Doesn’t Recognise As Football-Playing Nations

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup drawing near, millions of football fans around the world are gearing up to support their national teams.

However, some countries will be absent not due to a lack of fans or passion for the game, but because FIFA doesn’t officially recognize them, often due to factors like population size, financial challenges, or infrastructure limitations.

Here’s an in-depth look at 8 places that FIFA does not recognize as football-playing nations.

Monaco

With a population of 38,682, Monaco is one of the countries where FIFA does not recognise its national team but is well-known for its elite football team, AS Monaco. Monaco has focused its efforts on club success because of its close ties to French football rather than international competitiveness.

Vatican City

The Vatican has a population of less than 1,000 people with a football team established in 1994. Mostly made up of Swiss Guards and other Vatican employees, this team occasionally participates in friendly matches. FIFA, however, does not recognise the country as a football nation due to its size.

Micronesia

Micronesia has a population of 115,000 and has challenges with logistics and finance that restrict its football participation. Although local football thrives in the country, the costs and organizational requirements of FIFA membership, such as official venues and foreign travel, remain a challenge.

Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands, with a population of 59,000 located in the Pacific Ocean, gained independence in 1990 and has not established an official national football team. The country is focused on local sports rather than pursuing international football due to limited infrastructure and financial resources recommended by FIFA.

Tuvalu

With a national team formed in 1979, Tuvalu has a population of 11,819 and lacks FIFA recognition due to its small size and lack of facilities. While they participate in regional competitions, FIFA membership requirements have been a challenge.

Palau

Palau has a population of 18,000 people and a national football squad that was founded in 1998, however, it primarily plays regional football. Its small population and location have made international competitiveness tough and influenced FIFA’s recognition.

Nauru

FIFA doesn’t recognise Nauru as a football-playing nation due to limited resources and a small population of 12,000.

Kiribati

Kiribati entered the football scene in 2005 but has faced FIFA restrictions due to economic and infrastructural challenges. As a nation with a population of 122,000, the country relies on community sports.

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