Bangladeshi fans in Dhaka erupted with joy when Lionel Messi scored for Argentina during the 2026 World Cup, despite no Argentines being present. These passionate supporters have adopted teams like Brazil and Argentina because their own nation has never qualified for football's premier tournament. Of the world's 10 most populous countries, only Brazil and the United States reached the current World Cup, while India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Pakistan remain absent.

British economist Stefan Szymanski argues that population alone cannot predict football success. His research with Simon Kuper suggests countries need a minimum annual average income per capita of $15,000 to win anything, plus proper infrastructure and training facilities. Brazil and Argentina defied this rule with eight World Cup titles combined, demonstrating that know-how and experience matter more than raw demographics.

India's football struggles stem partly from cricket dominance. Former international Shyam Thapa notes that the wealthy IPL has steered middle-class families toward cricket careers instead of football. Similarly, China invested heavily in high-profile signings but lacks grassroots development due to excessive political interference. Indonesia, which appeared as Dutch East Indies in 1938, reached the final qualifying round for 2026.

Ethiopia's football infrastructure crisis illustrates the broader problem. The Premier League staged over 380 matches using only three approved stadiums this season, forcing the national team to play home qualifiers in Morocco. Without proper facilities and systematic development, even nations with millions of football fans will continue missing the World Cup.