In countries like Bangladesh, where the national team remains absent from the World Cup, fans frequently align themselves with foreign squads like Argentina. During the 2026 tournament, crowds in Dhaka gathered in celebration of goals scored by Lionel Messi, despite the lack of any Argentine presence. Similar scenes of passionate, surrogate fandom have played out in India and Indonesia.
Of the ten nations with the largest populations, only the United States and Brazil are currently represented in the tournament. Experts like economist Stefan Szymanski note that population size alone does not determine sporting success. Instead, a nation requires a combination of capital, infrastructure, and institutional know-how. Wealth and a long-standing history of competitive play in established regions like Europe and South America are primary predictors of long-term success.
For countries like India, cricket remains a dominant force, often drawing talent and resources away from football. In China, despite significant state investment, progress has been hampered by centralized, top-down decision-making that critics argue stifles genuine sporting development. Meanwhile, countries such as Indonesia have attempted to bridge the gap by recruiting players of heritage from abroad. Ultimately, nations lacking these specific systemic foundations continue to watch from the sidelines, finding their enjoyment in the spectacle rather than participation.
