World Cup without giants: why are the 10 most populous countries already out?

In football world cup size doesn’t matter: moles quarter finalsIn fact, none of the 10 most populous countries in the world are included, those which in theory would have the largest pool to draw from. If giants like India, China, Indonesia and Pakistan have never been competitive in this sport, the absence of the makes more noise Brazil (212 million inhabitants and football as a religion) to which that of the United States (349 million), eliminated in the ‘soccer’ fort of Seattle by Belgium.

Among the nations with a football tradition, the Nigeria (237 million) and the Russia (143 million) had not even qualified. Broadening the horizon to the Top 20 by population, they also left the world championship Mexico, Japan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Germany and Türkiye. And barring miraclesEgypt (120 million) will leave the tournament againstArgentina (46 million).

Who is playing for the victory of the world championship

In the end, the winner of the World Cup could come out among countries with medium-large populations: the France with 69 million, theEngland with 58 million, the Spain with 50 million and Argentina itself. They did well, however it ends up, even there Colombia (53 million) and the Morocco (38 million).

The miracle of small nations

Ma he Belgium (11 million), the Swiss (9 million) and above all the Norway with just 5 million inhabitants, equal to those of Lazio, they demonstrate that size is not everything and there is still room for those who have ideas and know how to cultivate talent.