Oh sure, but let's see Italy beat India in Cricket

Does anyone give a shit about football in those countries though?

China is only interested in advanced math competitions, and India only cares about cricket.

India runs the ICC like FIFA runs the world cup.

They make bank off of corrupt practices and matchmaking fixes that ultimately harms the sport and de-incentivizes other countries to participate.

That doesn't mean they lack talent, they just don't care because they don't want to spend the effort of building a team if it can't make immediate money.

Pakistan also infamously never developed its football team due to high popularity of field hockey and cricket, and now they don't bother because they can't make easy money out of it.

Despite the low popularity, it is possible for them to form a quality team but no one wants to take the risk.

Lucky bastards. I wish my country didn't qualify so I would be spared all those stupid World Cup news and neighbor's viewing parties.

Can't comment for India, but for China:
Football is very popular in China. At least up until 10 years ago, it was plagued with so much blatant corruption, nepotism and alike that there would be no way to see good players emerging in major leagues and even less to see them making a difference in the field.
I remember seeing a game during which a very sketchy referee's decision was welcome by a "It looks like team [xxx] will win tonight, as they play at home, and at home, everyone, really EVERYONE supports them!".
Maybe nothing has changed and so the national team is made of… connected people more than skilled players.

General lack of interest?

I don't follow football that much but i don't really mind my country (Italy) not going in the USA, heck, that's even better lol

It’s too funny watching Lemmy try to answer sports questions. I’ll admit I was disappointed because I was hoping to see a compelling response to your question.

Some decent points made but I don’t think anyone nailed it yet.

China qualified in 2002.