2030 in focus: Nigeria and 9 teams targeting World Cup comeback

With the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 now complete, attention is already turning toward the 2030 tournament, which will carry even greater significance as the competition celebrates its centenary.

Although the latest edition featured more teams than ever before, several traditional football powers failed to qualify. Among them were former world champions, past finalists and long-established World Cup participants. Their priority over the next four years will be to earn a place back on football’s biggest stage.

Here is a look at ten countries with rich World Cup traditions that will be determined to end their recent disappointments and qualify for the 2030 finals.

1. Italy

Italy remain one of the most decorated nations in World Cup history, sharing second place on the all-time list with four titles. Yet the four-time champions have now failed to qualify for three consecutive tournaments, an unprecedented run for a country that had appeared in 18 of the previous 20 editions.

The Italians finished behind Norway during qualification for the 2026 World Cup but still had another opportunity through the play-offs. After reaching the decisive match, Gennaro Gattuso’s side suffered heartbreak when Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated them in a penalty shoot-out.

Italy have not featured at the World Cup since their group-stage exit in Brazil in 2014. As two-time European champions, they will now be looking to build a balanced team capable of translating their individual quality into collective success and finally ending their qualification struggles ahead of 2030.

2. Denmark

Denmark made their World Cup debut in 1986 and have since become regular participants, appearing six times and reaching the quarter-finals in France in 1998.

Their hopes of reaching the 2026 finals slipped away in dramatic fashion. They first missed the chance for automatic qualification after losing to Scotland in their final Group C match despite being level with only nine minutes remaining. Their campaign then ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Czechia in the play-off final.

That disappointment followed an underwhelming showing at Qatar 2022, where the EURO 1992 champions exited in the group stage. If Brian Riemer can get the best from a talented squad, Denmark should have every reason to believe they can qualify for the next World Cup.

3. Poland

Poland have featured in nine World Cups and twice finished third, earning bronze medals in 1974 and 1982.

After ending a long wait for a knockout-stage appearance at Qatar 2022, the Poles could not repeat that achievement in qualifying for 2026. They narrowly lost top spot in Group G to the Netherlands before falling 3-2 to Sweden in the play-off final.

With Robert Lewandowski approaching his 38th birthday, Poland are expected to begin a new era. Fortunately, the country has several promising young players emerging across different age groups who could eventually replace the veteran striker and strengthen other areas of the team.

4. Hungary

Hungary remain one of the historic names of World Cup football, having reached two finals and competed in nine tournaments. However, they have not appeared since Mexico 1986, making their absence the longest among the nations on this list.

Their latest qualification campaign ended painfully. Hungary looked set to secure a play-off place before suffering a dramatic home defeat to the Republic of Ireland in their final qualifier.

Despite that setback, the nation that produced legendary forward Ferenc Puskas has consistently qualified for recent European Championships. Their next objective is to show the same consistency in World Cup qualifying.

5. Romania

Romania have played in seven World Cups, with their memorable run to the quarter-finals in 1994 remaining one of the country’s greatest football achievements. Led by stars such as Gheorghe Hagi, Gheorghe Popescu and Florin Raducioiu, that team captured worldwide admiration.

Since then, however, Romania have appeared at only one World Cup, the 1998 edition in France.

They finished third in their qualifying group for the 2026 tournament but earned another chance through the UEFA Nations League pathway. Their hopes ended after a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Türkiye in the play-off semi-finals.

Even so, optimism remains high. With Hagi returning for a second spell as head coach, Romania believe they can combine attacking quality with improved squad depth and return to the global stage.

6. Nigeria

Nigeria have reached the World Cup Round of 16 three times, in 1994, 1998 and 2014, but have now missed the last two tournaments.

The Super Eagles finished second behind South Africa in their CAF qualifying group, progressing to the second round that determined places in the intercontinental play-offs. After defeating Gabon 4-1 following extra time, they were eliminated by DR Congo in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

Nigeria continue to produce outstanding football talent. Their hopes of qualifying for 2030 may depend less on player quality and more on creating a stable football structure capable of delivering consistent results.

7. Cameroon

Cameroon have appeared at eight World Cups, more than any other African nation. The Indomitable Lions also became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals when they achieved the feat at Italia 1990.

During qualification for the 2026 tournament, they finished second behind Cabo Verde in Group D before losing 1-0 to DR Congo in the play-offs. The result was especially disappointing after returning to the World Cup in Qatar 2022 following their absence from Russia 2018.

As preparations begin for the 2030 centenary tournament, Cameroon will aim to rediscover the consistency that once made them one of Africa’s strongest teams. While talent remains plentiful, inconsistent performances have prevented sustained progress.

8. Chile

Chile have participated in nine World Cups, with their best result coming in 1962 when they finished third as tournament hosts.

A golden generation featuring Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Bravo reached the Round of 16 in both 2010 and 2014, but the national team has struggled ever since.

Chile have now failed to qualify for three straight World Cups. Their 2026 qualifying campaign was particularly disappointing, as they finished bottom of the South American standings with only two wins from 18 matches.

The hope is that a new generation of players can revive the national team and guide La Roja back to football’s biggest competition.

9. Peru

Peru have competed at five World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals in 1970 and the second group stage in 1978.

Their return in 2018 ended a 36-year absence, but they have been unable to qualify since then.

In the latest South American qualifiers, Peru finished ninth out of ten teams after winning only twice and scoring just six goals in 18 matches.

Improving their attacking threat will be a major priority before the next qualifying campaign. At the same time, Peru will seek to maintain the defensive discipline and team unity that have traditionally been among their greatest strengths.

10. Costa Rica

Costa Rica have become familiar faces at the World Cup since making their debut in 1990.

Their finest performance came in Brazil in 2014, where they topped a group containing Uruguay, Italy and England without losing a match. They then eliminated Greece on penalties before narrowly falling to the Netherlands in a quarter-final shoot-out after a goalless draw.

A scoreless home draw against Honduras ultimately ended Costa Rica’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 tournament. The result left them third in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with seven points, preventing them from even reaching the intercontinental play-offs.

Now rebuilding with a younger squad, Los Ticos will be determined to re-establish themselves among the strongest teams in their region after appearing in five of the last seven World Cups.