Eight countries FIFA doesn’t recognise as football nations

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears, millions of football fans around the world are making plans on how they’ll cheer on their national teams.

However, some countries won’t be participating—not because they lack fans or passion for the game, but because FIFA doesn’t officially recognize them due to factors like population size, financial limitations, or infrastructural challenges.

Here’s a look at eight countries that FIFA does not recognize as official football-playing nations:

Monaco
With a population of 38,682, Monaco’s national team isn’t recognized by FIFA, though the country is known for its prominent football club, AS Monaco. Due to close ties with French football, Monaco has focused on club-level competition rather than international play.

Vatican City
The Vatican has fewer than 1,000 residents and established a football team in 1994. Made up mostly of Swiss Guards and Vatican employees, this team participates in friendly matches but is not recognized by FIFA due to the country’s small size.

Micronesia
With a population of 115,000, Micronesia faces logistical and financial barriers to full football participation. Local football is popular, but the expenses and organizational demands of FIFA membership, including official venues and international travel, remain a challenge.

Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands, with a population of 59,000 in the Pacific Ocean, gained independence in 1990 but has not developed an official national football team. The country emphasizes local sports, focusing less on international competition due to limited infrastructure and financial resources.

Tuvalu
Tuvalu, with a population of 11,819, formed a national team in 1979 but lacks FIFA recognition due to its small size and limited facilities. While they take part in regional competitions, FIFA membership requirements have been a hurdle.

Palau
With 18,000 residents, Palau formed a national football team in 1998 but primarily competes regionally. The country’s small population and geographical location have hindered its international competitiveness, contributing to FIFA’s decision not to recognize it.

Nauru
FIFA does not recognize Nauru, with its population of 12,000, as an official football nation due to limited resources and small population size.

Kiribati
Kiribati entered the football scene in 2005 but has faced FIFA restrictions because of economic and infrastructure challenges. With 122,000 people, the country emphasizes community sports over international football.

These nations, while passionate about football, continue to face unique challenges that have kept them outside FIFA’s official ranks.