Of the 48 nations taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, 16 have returned to the finals looking to end a finals goal drought which has run for at least one full tournament. Here, FIFA details the nations which have broken their duck so far.

Sweden – 2,903 days since their last goal

Sweden's failure to reach Qatar 2022 was a surprise to many given the nation's historic run to the last eight in Russia four years earlier, when Emil Forsberg netted to edge them past Switzerland in the last 16. Just shy of eight years passed when Yasin Ayari smashed home the opener of their eye-catching 5-1 win over Tunisia in Monterrey.

Egypt – 2,912 days

It took Egypt 28 years to return to the finals, and two defeats from two started their Russia 2018 adventure in the worst possible fashion. The talismanic Mohamed Salah gave them the lead over Saudi Arabia in their final group outing, but was powerless to stop a 2-1 defeat. Salah and Co returned for these finals and stunned Belgium with an Emam Ashour firecracker, before sealing a 1-1 draw and a first World Cup point in 36 years.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – 4,370 days

The Europeans took part in their debut finals at Brazil 2014, and claimed a maiden tournament win over IR Iran. Avdija Vrsajevic set the seal on that 3-1 success and was the nation's most recent World cup scorer until Jovo Lukic nodded home to give them the lead against Canada at these finals in an eventual 1-1 draw.

Côte d'Ivoire – 4,373 days

The day before Bosnia's Iran triumph, Côte d'Ivoire's Wilfried Bony slotted home in a 2-1 defeat to Greece. Three tournaments passed without the Elephants' presence, but Amad Diallo was on hand to make up for lost time, steering home a dramatic winner against Ecuador.

Paraguay – 5,836 days

Much like Sweden, Paraguay's World Cup exodus followed an exceptional showing. La Albirroja reached the quarter-finals for the first time at South Africa 2010, only to be edged by Spain in Johannesburg. Their last goal of those finals came via Cristian Riveros in the group-stage win over Slovakia, and the 16-year wait was brought to an end through Mauricio's consolation in the 4-1 defeat to USA.

New Zealand – 5,839 days

Shane Smeltz netted arguably the All Whites' most iconic goal in a famed 1-1 draw with reigning champions Italy in South Africa, which helped the Kiwis to an unbeaten group stage, but not a knockout berth. Three tournaments and 16 long years went by before they touched down at the World Cup again, with Elijah Just slamming home against IR Iran in an enthralling 2-2 draw.

Czechia – 7,304 days

Tomas Rosicky dazzled on Czechia's tournament bow at Germany 2006, scoring the second and third of a 3-0 win over USA in Gelsenkirchen, but it wasn't enough to see them reach the second round. One day shy of 20 years on from that win, Ladislav Krejci headed in to give them the lead over Korea Republic, but couldn't prevent a 2-1 loss.

Scotland - 10,224 days

The Scots descended on Boston for their opener against Haiti with all the enthusiasm one would expect from a nation playing a first World Cup this millennium. Craig Burley's lob against Norway at France 1998 had been their most recent tournament strike, until John McGinn's deflected effort sent the Tartan Army wild and sealed a 1-0 win.