With the 2026 World Cup edging ever so closer every day, the full list of competitors is almost confirmed. The European play-offs are yet to be concluded, not only that but also the inter-confederation play-offs (ICPO) need to be resolved.

The ICPO are a unique path to qualifying for the World Cup with six teams from five continents competing for the two available places that will gain access to the golden ticket of World Cup qualification. As Europe have their own play-offs to decide their final competitors they are not involved in this mini knockout phase. Instead, nations from Asia, Africa, Oceania, South America and CONCACAF compete for their last shot of glory.

The great Manchester United of the nineties, the invincible Arsenal, the dominant Barcelona era. All incredible teams with immense success. Even more recently Manchester City winning it all, Bayern Munich and PSG overwhelmingly succeeded in their respective nations.

Brunei Darussalam, ask your friends, colleagues and acquaintances and see how many of them know anything about this tiny nation. Many probably couldn’t even point it out to you on a map or would even recognise the flag of the nation, so how is this oil-rich country with strong religious ties so unknown to many?