We got this question a few times leading up to the World Cup, and the answer is yes - and then some. There are 206 sovereign states recognized by the United Nations, but there are 209 national teams recognized by FIFA (soccer's main governing body).
How is that possible? FIFA recognizes some states and principalities that the United Nations doesn't, including national teams like Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Montserrat, Curacao and more.
Every country is ranked according to FIFA's formula, with the rankings available to check out on their official website. Not all teams have a realistic shot at qualifying for the World Cup, though - the process for that is much more complex.
With all the fanfare around the 2014 World Cup, we're answering all the questions soccer newbies might have about the world's most-watched sporting event. Make sure to check out our Ultimate World Cup Guide for the complete FAQ!
