San Marino, a microstate of just 34,000 people entirely surrounded by Italy, is perhaps the world's most famous football minnow — a team that has lost hundreds of international matches and yet continues to turn up, compete, and occasionally shock observers with remarkable moments. Their story is one of pure love for the game uncorrupted by expectation of success.
| Appearances | 0 |
| Best Finish | Never qualified for World Cup |
| Last Appearance | Never qualified |
| 2022 Result | Did not qualify |
San Marino's players are all amateur — they hold regular jobs (teachers, accountants, waiters) and train part-time. Despite this, they have managed occasional historic moments, including their most famous achievement: scoring against England after just 8 seconds in 1993.
San Marino's non-qualification for FIFA 2026 requires no explanation — with just 34,000 people (smaller than many individual city districts in Dhaka), all amateur players, and no professional football infrastructure, San Marino exists in qualifying campaigns purely to play international football, not to qualify. Their famous 8-second goal against England in 1993 (Davide Gualtieri) remains one of football's most celebrated minnow moments and their story is one of pure sporting joy.
San Marino fans (worldwide — this tiny state has international supporters who admire their spirit) can enjoy the irony that many of FIFA 2026's qualified nations have players earning more per week than San Marino's entire football budget. Group L's England — San Marino's most famous qualifying opponent — provides the closest emotional connection.
Follow FIFA 2026 on T Sports and Sony Sports in Bangladesh. San Marino's story — 34,000 people competing against the world's best nations — is football's most inspiring underdog narrative, even when (especially when) they lose heavily.