Bahrain football team was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never qualified for the World Cup but have qualified for the Asian Cup twice. Bahrain set up a two legged play-off with the 4th placed CONCACAF nation (Trinidad and Tobago) for a place in the World Cup Bahrain lost 2 - 1.

Bahrain won the 2004 FIFA award for being the most improved international football team, they backed up this award with their best ever performance in a major competition, finishing fourth in the Asian Cup. They beat Uzbekistan in the quater finals but lost 4 - 3 to Japan after extra time in the semi finals.