<P> The Indonesian team , prior to independence in 1945 . Indonesia was the first Asian team to participate in the FIFA World Cup when the team qualified for the 1938 tournament after its opponent , Japan , withdrew from the qualification heats . The 6 -- 0 loss to eventual finalists Hungary in the first round of the tournament in Reims , France , remains the nation 's only appearance in the World Cup . The straight knock - out format used at the time made it the only game ever played by the Indonesians . Thus , Indonesia holds the World Cup record as the team with the fewest matches played ( 1 ) and one of the teams with the fewest goals scored ( 0 ) . They were 15th place in the rankings . </P>
<P> The Indonesian team , prior to independence in 1945 . Indonesia was the first Asian team to participate in the FIFA World Cup when the team qualified for the 1938 tournament after its opponent , Japan , withdrew from the qualification heats . The 6 -- 0 loss to eventual finalists Hungary in the first round of the tournament in Reims , France , remains the nation 's only appearance in the World Cup . The straight knock - out format used at the time made it the only game ever played by the Indonesians . Thus , Indonesia holds the World Cup record as the team with the fewest matches played ( 1 ) and one of the teams with the fewest goals scored ( 0 ) . They were 15th place in the rankings . </P>
what was the first asian country to qualify for the world cup
what was the first asian country to qualify for the world cup
Indonesia
Indonesia