Teams with biggest gap between successive World Cup participations

See a ranked list of nations who returned to the FIFA World Cup™ after the longest time away.

1st) Wales – 64 years (1958-2022) 2nd) Egypt – 56 years (1934-1990) 2nd) Norway – 56 years (1938-1994) 4th) Türkiye – 48 years (1954-2002) 5th) Bolivia – 44 years (1950-1994) 5th) Korea DPR – 44 years (1966-2010) 7th) Peru – 40 years (1930-1970) 7th) USA – 40 years (1950-1990) 9th) Canada – 36 years (1986-2022) 9th) Netherlands – 36 years (1938-1974) 9th) Peru – 36 years (1982-2018) 9th) Poland – 36 years (1938-1974) 13th) Australia – 32 years (1974-2006) 13th) Korea Republic – 32 years (1954-1986) 13th) Romania – 32 years (1938-1970) 16th) Colombia – 28 years (1962-1990) 16th) Honduras – 28 years (1982-2010) 16th) New Zealand – 28 years (1982-2010) 16th) Paraguay – 28 years (1958-86) 16th) Switzerland – 28 years (1966-1994)

Wales

1st participation: Sweden 1958 2nd participation: Qatar 2022 Gap: 64 years

Wales reached the quarter-finals in 1958 Wales went out at the group stage in 2022

USA v Wales | Group B | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ | Highlights

Watch the highlights from the match between USA and Wales played at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan on Monday, 21 November 2022.

Egypt

1st participation: Italy 1934 2nd participation: Italy 1990 Gap: 56 years

Egypt went out in the first round in 1934 Egypt went out at the group stage in 1990