The FIFA World Cup is often seen as a unifying event, but political factors have historically affected participation. Several nations have been barred from the tournament or its qualifiers due to conflicts, sanctions, or government interference. South Africa, for instance, was suspended by FIFA in 1961 over its apartheid policies and later expelled in 1976, with readmission only in 1992 after apartheid ended. Other countries have faced similar exclusions for political reasons.
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