Football News: The dominant forces in the World Cup: Europe and South America
Countries from every continent have advanced to the Round of 16 in this year's World Cup. a feat witnessed for the first time - there are two countries from Africa, three from Asia and USA representing North and Central America
Players of Croatia acknowledge the fans after the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between Croatia and France at Stadion Poljud on June 6, 2022 in Split, Croatia.The rest are from Europe and South America. Arsene Wenger then opined that more countries have "acquired the tools to compete at the highest level." FIFA president Gianni Infantino also shared his joy on the matter.
In the quarter-finals, all the Asian teams were eliminated, and only Morocco survived from Africa. They'll become the first African team to win the tournament if they win.
South America has not been represented in the final since 2014 and only once more in 2002, when Brazil won the tournament, over the last six editions. Teams from Europe and South America won the 21 World Cups before that.
Only two teams - the USA (1930) and South Korea (2002) - have made it to the semi-finals outside Europe and South America since 1930. Popular football countries always have immense pressure riding on them, but sometimes, they can motivate teams in major tournaments.
The dominance asserted by traditional countries is due to many reasons, and the main one is the number of allotted slots to their confederation. For example, Africa received only five World Cup berths, although the country has 54 FIFA members.
Meanwhile, Europe has 55 members but has 13 slots among the final 32. Their prominence is also because Europe has 12 teams in the top 20 of the Fifa rankings table.
Brazil and Argentina are the only South American teams that are clubbed among the top teams. Uruguay also have a decent record at the tournament but were eliminated early this year.
FIFA believes Europe and South America deserve more berths
FIFA believes Europe and South America can produce more efficient teams, so they deserve more berths. Professional football originated in those continents long before it did outside.
These countries are blessed with better infrastructure and run developed leagues. South America's football talent is credited to the widespread practice of street football that produces players that rank high on individual talent.
South America's football academies are also efficient and are designed to appease the European market. South American team Brazil also has players in European leagues that hone them into improved, better players.
Brazil's favourites Vinicius Jr. and Neymar have evolved in their respective clubs. Europe will continue to be the biggest superpower in football because of its financial capacity and cutting-edge innovation.
However, a part of Europe's growth is also attributed to the tactics learned from Asia, Africa and South America. Players like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele will easily fit into the style adopted by Brazil and other South American countries.
Meanwhile, Croatia's heritage is rooted in Yugoslavia, which were once called 'Brazilians of Europe'. Hence, Europe will continue to evolve and rule football in the years to come.
Morocco is expected to go far in the World Cup and give South America and Europe a run for their money.