How Many Countries Play Football?

Over 210 countries play football worldwide, and as of 2025, FIFA recognises 211 official member associations. This figure includes sovereign nations, dependent territories, and regions with independent football bodies. Beyond FIFA members, several non-FIFA territories also field organised teams and domestic leagues, pushing the total number of football-playing countries even higher.

This article breaks down the exact numbers: how many countries play football in the world, how many belong to FIFA, and how many compete for a spot in the FIFA World Cup.

What Does “Playing Football” Mean on a Global Scale?

When we ask, “How many countries play football?” what does it actually mean? A country “playing football” is generally defined by several factors:

1. Organised national football teams representing the country in international play
2. Domestic football leagues or competitions running at various levels
3. Affiliation with FIFA, the sport’s international governing body

However, even countries or territories not officially registered with FIFA often have active football communities. For example, Greenland and Monaco have vibrant grassroots football scenes but are not FIFA members. This shows that football’s influence goes beyond official membership and touches almost every corner of the planet.

How Many Countries Play Football According to FIFA?

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the global governing body responsible for football’s rules, organisation of competitions, and development. As of 2025, FIFA counts 211 member associations, which include sovereign countries and some non-UN-recognised territories like Gibraltar and Palestine.

This expansive membership shows that football is played in virtually every part of the world. Key members include traditional football powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany, England, Mexico, France, and Italy—all countries famous for their footballing heritage and professional leagues.

1. Brazil: The nation with 5 World Cup titles and a massive fan base
2. Germany: Four-time World Cup champions and a European football giant
3. England: The birthplace of modern football, with over 40,000 registered clubs
4. Mexico: A vibrant football nation with a passionately followed domestic league
5. France and Italy: Nations with multiple European and World titles

Collectively, these 211 FIFA members emphasise the global footprint of football and its immense popularity worldwide.

Read More: Football Ground Dimensions

How Many Countries Play Football in the World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international football competition, but participation varies vastly from one cycle to another.

1. Over 214 national teams entered the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, showcasing worldwide competition for a spot.
2. However, only 32 teams qualified to compete in the final tournament in 2022.
3. This number will expand to 48 teams starting with the 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This broad participation highlights how football captures global interest far beyond the countries that make it to the finals. In fact, more national teams vie for a place in the World Cup than the number of countries that participate in the Olympic Games, underscoring football’s unrivalled reach.

Non-Member Nations That Play Football Beyond FIFA

While FIFA covers the vast majority of football-playing countries, some nations and territories do not belong but still have thriving football cultures.

Examples include:

1. Monaco: Has a rich football heritage locally, despite no FIFA affiliation
2. Vatican City: Runs amateur football leagues and participates in smaller international competitions
3. Tuvalu and Northern Cyprus: Known for grassroots and regional football activity

The presence of football in these places illustrates its near-universal appeal. Almost every sovereign and dependent territory has some form of football community, whether or not it is recognised by FIFA.

Football Popularity by Continent with FIFA Member Associations

Football is the world’s most popular sport, played and organised across every continent under the governance of FIFA. The global reach of football is reflected in its 211 member associations, spread across six continental confederations, each representing a distinct region’s participation and development of the sport.

Confederation	Region	No. of FIFA Members
UEFA	Europe	55
CAF	Africa	54
AFC	Asia	47
CONCACAF	North America, Central America & Caribbean	41
CONMEBOL	South America	10
OFC	Oceania	11
Total	Global (FIFA Members)	211

Why Is Football Played in So Many Countries?

Football’s unparalleled global popularity stems from several important factors:

1. Accessibility: Football requires minimal equipment, just a ball and space, making it easy for anyone to play.
2. Low Cost: Unlike many sports, football’s affordability helps spread the game even in low-income communities.
3. Cultural Integration: Football has been integrated into societies worldwide through colonial history, media, and international tournaments.
4. FIFA Development Programs: FIFA continuously invests in grassroots and regional programs to grow the sport globally.
5. Global Icons: Legendary players like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo have inspired millions worldwide.

These factors combined make football a universal sport, transcending borders, cultures, and economic status.

Common Misconceptions About Football-Playing Nations

1. “Country” in football does not always equal a UN-recognised sovereign nation. For instance, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have separate FIFA teams despite being part of the United Kingdom.
2. Performance does not always correlate with population size. For example, India has one of the largest football-playing populations but has yet to become a dominant force internationally.
3. Some territories with smaller populations, like Iceland, have made significant impacts at World Cup and European Championship levels, highlighting that resources and development matter alongside size.

Conclusion

To recap, football is played by over 210 countries globally, represented by 211 FIFA member associations as of 2025. More than 200 teams compete in World Cup qualifiers, with 32 spots in the finals (expanding to 48 in 2026). Beyond FIFA members, many other countries and territories have active football communities, illustrating its universal appeal. Football truly is the world’s universal language, uniting people across continents and cultures through the love of the game.

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