Although the recent expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams aimed to give underrepresented regions a better shot, the quarter-final results show that the status quo remains intact. Six of the final eight teams hail from Europe, with only Argentina and Morocco standing as the exceptions.
Europe continues to assert its dominance, even as its proportional share of tournament slots has shifted over the decades. In contrast, Africa saw its representation increase to 10 teams this year, yet the final stages of the competition remain heavily skewed toward European squads. This pattern reflects the concentration of global football wealth and the elite development systems found in Western Europe.
Morocco serves as a prime example of global integration. While they utilize the high-quality Mohammed VI Academy in Rabat, a significant portion of their roster was born and trained in European youth systems. Their tactical growth positions them as a formidable contender looking to repeat their historic semi-final success from 2022.
Other nations continue to struggle against the European tide. Brazil, despite hiring Carlo Ancelotti, failed to reach the quarter-finals, maintaining a difficult record against European teams in knockout rounds that dates back to 2002. Similarly, the United States saw their hopes dashed by Belgium, and Asian representatives largely exited early. Switzerland, meanwhile, has reached its first quarter-final since 1954, fueled by the experience of competing regularly against the continent’s top sides.
