Eight of the 10 most populous countries are not in the World Cup
The article explores why many of the world's most populous nations, such as India and Bangladesh, struggle to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. It highlights the disconnect between large populations and footballing success, noting that fans in these regions often adopt other teams.
Why it matters
It provides cultural and structural context for the global popularity of the World Cup even in countries that do not participate.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Without a team in the World Cup, Bangladeshi fans have "adopted" other nations such as Argentina
The analysis is based on demographic data and cultural observations without taking a political stance.
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