Brazil are the only country to play at every edition of the FIFA World Cup to date. So, which nations have been to the most ahead of the Selecao’s 22nd appearance yet at Qatar 2022?
Tite takes his team to the Middle East in November as one of the favourites to win the title this year. Brazil have not lifted the coveted gong since the 2002 edition in Japan and South Korea. It took the Selecao to a record five World Cup titles, a feat no country has matched.
Germany and Italy sit within a title of Brazil with four, but only the former can draw level in 2022. Roberto Mancini may have led the Azzurri to glory at Euro 2020, but he also oversaw a 1-0 loss to North Macedonia in the semi-final of the UEFA Path C play-off for Qatar 2022.
Italy have appeared at the third-most editions of the FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930. Qatar marks the fourth tournament the Azzurri will miss and a second in a row after also failing to reach Russia 2018. Their previous mishap ended a run of making 14 editions.
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Qatar, in contrast, will host the 2022 World Cup having never previously played at the FIFA tournament. The Maroon have failed to qualify during each of their 11 complete qualifying campaigns. The Arabian Peninsula nation has stuck to an entry for each edition since 1978.
Qatar are the only country making their debut FIFA World Cup appearance in 2022
Qatar are the only county making their debut appearance at a FIFA World Cup in 2022. The 2018 tournament in Russia saw Iceland and Panama make their debut appearances. While Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for their first and most recent World Cup for Brazil 2014.
With Qatar qualifying as the hosts in 2022, 79 countries will have now appeared at a FIFA World Cup. Of those, 19 have played at just one edition – including Ukraine in 2006 – and seven have featured at two – including Wales in 1958 and 2022 plus Turkey in ‘54 and ‘02.
Senegal are the only country making their third World Cup appearance at the 2022 edition in Qatar. The Lions of Teranga join nine nations in featuring at three editions. While Ghana and Ecuador join Algeria, who last appeared at a FIFA tournament in 2014, on four outings each.
Peru are now the only nation with no fewer but no more than five appearances so far after failing to qualify for Qatar 2022. Eight countries will join Colombia and Nigeria with six this winter. While Japan join Bulgaria, Romania and Austria on seven World Cup appearances.
Cameroon and Portugal, meanwhile, will join Scotland and Paraguay on eight appearances. While Poland are now the fourth country to play at nine and South Korea, the Netherlands and United States of America join Russia on 11. No nation has featured at just 10 anymore.
Switzerland qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has seen A-Team draw level on 12 appearances with Sweden. Both made their first outings at the 1934 edition. While Serbia, then as Yugoslavia, made the first of their 13 appearances at the debut World Cup in 1930.
=9. Belgium kept clear of Serbia in the rankings for the most World Cup appearances
Belgium stayed above Serbia for a top-10 spot in the rankings for the most World Cup appearances by a country after qualifying for Qatar 2022. This year will be the Red Devils’ 14th finals and fourth in a row, having first featured at the tournament at Uruguay 1930.
=9. Uruguay will also feature at their 14th finals at Qatar 2022
Uruguay will also feature at their 14th World Cup finals at Qatar 2022 after matching their record run of appearances. This year’s edition is La Celeste’s fourth-straight tournament to match their run between 1962 and 1974 during which they finished fourth at Mexico 1970.
=6. Spain extended their record run of appearances to 12 with Qatar 2022
Spain extended their record run of consecutive World Cup appearances to 12 by qualifying for Qatar 2022. The 2010 champions have now appeared at 16 editions in total and every tournament since Argentina 1978. La Roja had only made two in a row from 1930 to 1974.
=6. Defending World Cup champions France are to make their 16th appearance
France will make their 16th World Cup appearance when Les Bleus travel to Qatar 2022 to defend their title from Russia 2018. Didier Deschamps coached his country to their second title four years ago. France are also enjoying a record run of appearances on seven so far.
=6. England are also enjoying a record run of appearances with seven
England are also enjoying a record run of World Cup appearances having featured at each of the last seven editions. The Three Lions will make their 16th outing at the finals in 2022, as well, as head coach Gareth Southgate looks to guide his nation to their second title yet.
5. Mexico are preparing to co-host the World Cup in 2026 with USA and Canada
Mexico are preparing to co-host the World Cup in 2026 with the United States and Canada. But first, El Tri will make their 17th appearance at the FIFA tournament and a record eighth in a row at Qatar 2022. The next edition in four years will be a record third held in Mexico.
=3. Argentina draw level with Italy on 18 appearances with Qatar 2022
Argentina have drawn level on 18 appearances with four-time World Cup champions Italy. Qatar 2022 is also La Albiceleste’s 13th consecutive finals, extending their record run that started with Germany 1974. The South Americans also lifted the trophy in 1978 and 1986.
=3. Italy have not featured at the World Cup since the 2014 edition in Brazil
Italy have featured at the third-most World Cups but the European country has not played at any since Brazil 2014. The Azzurri have also not played a knockout stage game at a finals since winning their fourth title after penalties against France in the final for Germany 2006.
2. Germany extend their record run of appearances to 18 with Qatar 2022
Germany, including as West Germany, would rank level for World Cup appearances on 18 with Italy and Argentina with just their current streak. Qatar 2022 will be Die Mannschaft’s 18th straight finals and 20th in total. They have only sat out the editions in 1930 and 1950.
1. Brazil are the only country to appear at all 22 World Cups to date
Brazil are the only country to appear at all 22 World Cups, up to and including Qatar 2022. The Selecao are also the record champions with titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Tite will now lead the South Americans to the Middle East as a favourite for the 2022 title.
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