Teams

208 countries entered for the 2018 World Cup, but there was only space for just 32 teams in Russia. To qualify a total of 871 games were played between 12 March 2015 and 15 November 2017 with 2,469 goals being scored.

In the 20 previous World Cup Finals there have only been eight champions and they are: Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002); Italy (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006); Germany (1954, 1974,1990, 2014);  Argentina (1978, 1986); Uruguay (1930, 1950); England (1966); France (1998) and Spain (2010). All eight champions played in Brazil in 2014, but only seven were in Russia in 2018. Four time winner, Italy, being the odd man out.

To learn more about each of the 32 teams that played in Russia in 2018 simply click on their name. For the 32 squads CLICK HERE

The 32 teams to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and their FIFA rankings were:

  1. Argentina (4) – Finalist – Runner-up in Brazil
  2. Australia  (43) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  3. Belgium (5) – Quarter finalist in Brazil
  4. Brazil (2) – Semi finalist- 4th place in Brazil
  5. Colombia (13) – Quarter finalist in Brazil
  6. Costa Rica (22) – Quarter finalist in Brazil
  7. Croatia (18) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  8. Denmark (19) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2010
  9. Egypt (30) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 1990
  10. England (12) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  11. France (7) – Quarter finalist in Brazil
  12. Germany (1) – Finalist – 2014 World Champions in Brazil
  13. Iceland (21) – First World Cup Finals appearance
  14. Iran (31) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  15. Japan (44) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  16. South Korea (62) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  17. Mexico (16) – Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil
  18. Morocco (48) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2010
  19. Nigeria (41) – Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil
  20. Panama (49) – First World Cup Finals appearance
  21. Peru (10) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 1982
  22. Poland (6) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2006
  23. Portugal (3) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  24. Russia (65) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  25. Saudi Arabia (63) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2006
  26. Senegal (32) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2002
  27. Serbia (38) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2010
  28. Spain (8) – Knocked out at the group stage in Brazil
  29. Sweden (25) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2006
  30. Switzerland (11) – Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil
  31. Tunisia (28) – Last played in the World Cup Finals in 2006
  32. Uruguay (17) – Knocked out in the round of 16 in Brazil

Of the 32 teams playing in Russia, 20 of them were returning after the previous tournament in Brazil in 2014, which means 12 of the teams that played in Brazil were not in Russia, but 12 new teams were. New since Brazil were Denmark, Egypt, Iceland (first World Cup Finals appearance), Morocco, Panama, (first World Cup Finals appearance), Peru, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sweden and Tunisia. Nigeria was the only African side to return to the World Cup Finals after Brazil, while Brazil was the first team to qualify.

Host Russia were ranked 65th in the FIFA ranking of October 2017, making it the lowest ranked team in the tournament at the time of the draw. The next host country, Qatar, is ranked 97th and did not qualify for Russia.

Chile, the world’s 9th ranked team in the FIFA ranking of October 2017, was the highest ranked team not to qualify for Russia, followed by Wales in 14th, Italy in 15th, and the Netherlands in 20th.