The 2026 World Cup lineup is taking shape, with the final six spots yet to be determined. A total of 48 teams will compete for the coveted trophy in North America this summer. Among the countries that have already secured their spots, several nations will be making their World Cup debut. Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are among those set to make their first appearance at the tournament.
In contrast, there are 46 countries that have played in a World Cup but will not be participating in the 2026 edition. This latest quiz from FourFourTwo challenges football enthusiasts to name all 46 nations that have fallen short of qualifying for the tournament. The clock is ticking, with only ten minutes to complete the task.
Several nations that have played in a World Cup but failed to qualify for the 2026 edition include those from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The outcome of the upcoming play-offs will determine the final six teams to join the 2026 World Cup lineup.
The absence of 46 nations from the 2026 World Cup lineup highlights the competitive nature of international football. For African countries, the failure to qualify will be a setback, particularly for those that have made significant progress in recent years.
