Only seven countries have been banned from participating in the FIFA World Cup in the history of the game.
During the 2022 edition in Qatar, Lionel Messi reached the pinnacle of football after he inspired Argentine to World Cup glory.
In what was a pulsating final Argentina and France drew 3-3 after 120 minutes, with the South Americans winning 4-2 via a tense penalty shootout.
Here are the seven teams that have been banned from the World Cup.
Germany and Japan – 1950 World Cup
After the 1942 and 1946 editions of the World Cup were cancelled due to World War II, the tournament returned in 1950.
But Germany and Japan were not allowed to be involved due to the result of the second World War.
Uruguay were the winners, with Brazil second, Sweden third and Spain fourth.
South Africa – 1970 – 1990 World Cup
During the apartheid in South Africa, they were faced with multiple international boycotts. FIFA had suspended them in 1963, and eventually expelled in 1976.