With the complete list of 48 teams for the Canada, Mexico, and United States World Cup now available, Transfermarkt has also listed the rankings of national teams that have not qualified for the 2026 World Cup and been absent for the longest duration.

Ranking of time elapsed since last World Cup participation (Last Participation)

1. Cuba: 88 years (1938 World Cup in France)

2. Israel: 56 years (1970 World Cup in Mexico)

3. Kuwait: 44 years (1982 World Cup in Spain)

3. El Salvador: 44 years  (1982 World Cup in Spain)

5. Hungary: 40 years (1986 World Cup in Mexico)

5. Northern Ireland: 40 years  (1986 World Cup in Mexico)

7. United Arab Emirates: 36 years (1990 World Cup in Italy)

8. Bolivia: 32 years (1994 World Cup in the United States)

9. Romania: 28 years (1998 World Cup in France)

9. Bulgaria: 28 years  (1998 World Cup in France)

9. Jamaica: 28 years  (1998 World Cup in France)

12. China: 24 years (2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan)

12. Republic of Ireland: 24 years  (2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan)

14. Angola: 20 years (2006 World Cup in Germany)

14. Ukraine: 20 years  (2006 World Cup in Germany)

14. Trinidad and Tobago: 20 years  (2006 World Cup in Germany)

14. Togo: 20 years  (2006 World Cup in Germany)

18. Slovakia: 16 years (2010 World Cup in South Africa)

18. North Korea: 16 years  (2010 World Cup in South Africa)

18. Slovenia: 16 years  (2010 World Cup in South Africa)