World Cup Nations That Have Never Left the Group Stage
As of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 79 different nations have competed in various editions of the tournament. Of those 79, 27 nations have the dubious distinction of having never advanced beyond the first round. In three minutes, how many of these nations can you name?
Hints consist of the number and years of appearances as well as the respective FIFA confederations: AFC (Asian Football Confederation), CAF (Confédération Africaine de Football), CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football), CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol), OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations).
*While this nation is now a member of UEFA, it competed as a member of the AFC from 1954-77.
Aye, 'tis a shame. But we've qualified for the next edition of the Euros (our first major tournament qualification since the 1998 World Cup!), so maybe this is a turning point... probably not.