Russia is not the first to be suspended from the World Cup. FIFA has a huge collection of bans

There are many exotic ones among them. You might not even know about some of these countries.
The Russian team will definitely not play at the 2022 World Cup. FIFA suspended our country from participating in tournaments under its auspices. And this is not the first such case in history. And who else was banned by the football authorities?


Spain, World Cup 1938
The first were the Spaniards. In the summer of 1936, a civil war broke out in the country, which lasted for three years. Because of her, Spain was unable to compete at the 1938 World Cup. Here the versions differ: either FIFA removed the Spaniards from the tournament, or they themselves refused. One way or another, the World Cup in France was held without Spain.

The 1938 World Cup turned out to be strange in general. Only 15 participants came to the tournament. Italy became the winner for the second time in a row, and a year later a world war broke out. The next World Cup had to wait more than 10 years.

Germany and Japan, 1950 World Cup
The 1950 World Cup was already held without the Germans and Japanese. FIFA suspended these countries from participation in the tournament, and the reason is clear - their aggression in World War II. It is known that the decision of football officials was influenced by the UN, which was formed in 1945, after the end of the war.

Many countries did not dare to host the tournament and preferred to send money to restore infrastructure, so FIFA had a hard time finding where to host the matches. As a result, the World Cup was accepted by Brazil, which wanted to host it back in 1942. And it all ended with the second victory in history for Uruguay. The hosts of the tournament got only silver.

Six countries and the 1954 World Cup
Ridiculous story. Six teams did not get a chance to qualify for the World Cup in 1954: Iceland, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Vietnam and India. And all because these countries did not meet the deadline for submitting applications.

That year the tournament was held in Switzerland. For the first time in history, the German national team became the champion. For the Germans, the 1954 World Cup was the first after returning to the game.

South Korea and Ethiopia, 1958 World Cup
Another amazing case. The national teams of South Korea and Ethiopia did not take part in the selection of the 1958 World Cup. It is generally accepted that these countries were the last to apply and were rejected by FIFA in order to maintain the qualification format. In Africa and Asia, their own football confederations had just appeared, so they had one selection for two. There is simply no official version.

By the way, Koreans and Ethiopians were not the only ones who missed the selection. Countries from the Asian and African regions, one after another, refused to participate in the qualification for political and religious reasons. For example, Turkey, Indonesia and Sudan did not want to play with Israel.

The 1958 World Cup turned out to be historic. For the first time, the Brazilian national team took the title, and 17-year-old Pele made his debut at the World Cup.

South Africa and three other countries, 1966 World Cup
FIFA did not allow South Africa to qualify for the 1966 World Cup . The reason is the political regime, which oppressed the rights of the black population. The country was kicked out of the African confederation. Then South Africa joined Asia, but FIFA blocked its participation in the selection.

In Africa, others were noted in that qualification. Immediately 16 countries decided to boycott the matches in protest against the new FIFA regulations . As conceived by football officials, the best African team, instead of a direct ticket to the World Cup, was to play joints with the winner of the Asian selection. Despite this, a record number of participants performed in the qualification - as many as 70.

In addition to South Africa, three more teams were not allowed to qualify for the 1966 World Cup: Guatemala, Congo and the Philippines. True, this time the reasons were technical. Guatemala failed to meet the deadline, Congo was unable to apply in writing, and the Philippines failed to pay its contribution. Sometimes it happens!

The 1966 World Cup was held in England and brought the hosts of the tournament the first and only World Cup at the moment.

Guinea and DR Congo, 1970 World Cup
Africa is back in the spotlight. Guinea and DR Congo were mysteriously excluded from qualifying for the 1970 World Cup. The reasons are unknown. Also, Albania did not participate in the selection - it is also unclear why.

The 1970 World Cup was held in Mexico. The third gold in its history was taken by the Brazilian national team, in which Pele, who had already gained experience, shone. The King of Football was named the best player of the tournament.


CAR, 1982 World Cup
After 12 years, the list of African teams not admitted to the World Cup has grown. This time the CAR excelled. The country collected a combo of technical shortcomings - it was late with the application and did not pay the fee.

The 1982 World Cup was hosted by Spain. The title went to the Italians. For them it was the third championship.

Iran, World Cup 1986
The next World Cup also missed one country. FIFA suspended Iran because of the war with Iraq. It is noteworthy that the other side of the conflict not only took part in the selection, but also made it to the final stage of the tournament.

The 1986 World Cup, held in Mexico, gave the world a brilliant performance by Diego Maradona. The Argentine put a double for England (“the hand of God” and a passage through half the field) and brought his country the second title in its history. Of course, he was recognized as the best player of the tournament.

Mexico and Chile, 1990 World Cup
Yes, Mexico flew past the 1990 World Cup, although only four years before that it hosted the tournament itself. And all because of scams. The Mexicans were convicted of hiding the real age of one of the players during the selection of the youth World Cup. The main team suffered - it was removed from the 1990 World Cup.

Also, the Chilean team did not go to the tournament. The team was disqualified after a scandal in the decisive qualifying match with Brazil. With a score of 0: 1, Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas pretended to be injured by a fire thrown from the stands, after which the game had to be stopped - the team left the field and refused to return. However, it later turned out that the goalkeeper inflicted damage on himself with the help of a blade hidden in a glove. The motive is clear - if the trick was a complete success, the Brazilians would face a forfeit defeat. The football player was banned for life, and in the end it was his team who got the “techie”.

The 1990 World Cup was held in Italy, and Germany won it. It was the third title for the Germans. In the final, they defeated Argentina - this time Maradona did not save his team.

Yugoslavia and Libya, World Cup 1994
The next World Cup was held in the USA. And FIFA removed Yugoslavia and Libya from participation . There was a war on the territory of the former, and the latter were accused of supporting terrorism.

Well, the Brazilians have become champions for the fourth (and not the last) time. The final, which ended with an unexpected miss by the Italian Roberto Baggio in the penalty shootout, is often remembered even now.

Guiana World Cup 2002
The 2002 World Cup qualification and the tournament itself took place without the French-controlled South American country of Guiana. The team was not allowed to qualify for financial reasons.

That World Cup was held in Japan and South Korea. Well, the Ronaldo Phenomenon was already shining on it. Zubastik became the top scorer and shipped two goals to Germany in the final. So the Brazilians took the fifth title.

Brunei World Cup 2014
The next suspension had to wait as long as 12 years. Brunei, a tiny country with a population of less than half a million, failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup . The reason for this decision by FIFA : the government interfered in the work of the national football federation.

What happened at the 2014 World Cup , you remember very well. The long-awaited fourth title of Germany, which smeared the hosts of the Brazilian tournament along the way, bringing the whole stadium to tears. Well, a chance for Messi to achieve the same as Maradona. Which Leo didn't use.

Indonesia and Zimbabwe, World Cup 2018
You might not know this, but FIFA did not allow two countries to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. Indonesia, like Brunei four years earlier, was banned for government interference with the football federation. And Zimbabwe - for the fact that the head coach of the team was not paid a salary for several months.

The 2018 World Cup ended with the triumph of France and the new star - Kylian Mbappe. Well, Luka Modric was recognized as the best player of the tournament. A few months later, the Croatian received the Golden Ball.