BBC News Русская служба
·Jul 2026
Why eight of the ten most populous countries do not participate in the World Cup
Only two of the world’s ten most populous countries qualified for the 2026 World Cup, reflecting structural issues rather than population size. Experts highlight that success requires infrastructure, investment and long-term football traditions, which many Asian and African nations lack. Wealthier or historically established football nations continue to dominate, while countries such as Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan struggle with inadequate resources, competing sports or governance problems. China and Indonesia have invested heavily but still face systemic barriers, and fans in countries without qualified teams embrace other national sides to enjoy the tournament.