Three nations that narrowly avoided withdrawing from the global soccer tournament

The global football community recognizes the FIFA World Cup as the pinnacle of international competition, yet several nations have found themselves on the precipice of absence, not due to performance, but because of external factors such as politics and conflict.

Iran, for instance, faced intense scrutiny in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup, with international pressure mounting amid protests and human rights concerns, sparking uncertainty over their potential participation.

Despite the turmoil, Iran's team ultimately took part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to speculation about their involvement.

In a similar vein, North Korea's involvement in the 1966 FIFA World Cup was threatened by political tensions and issues related to international recognition, which cast a shadow over their potential participation.

However, North Korea did eventually compete in the 1966 World Cup, and their campaign was marked by a stunning run to the quarter-finals, which caught the world off guard.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, considered withdrawing from the 1978 FIFA World Cup due to concerns about the military regime in power in Argentina at the time, which sparked heated debates about their potential participation.

Ultimately, the Dutch team decided to participate in the 1978 World Cup, and their campaign culminated in a runner-up finish, as they reached the final of the tournament.