Unusual or predictable? How Europe is dominating the World Cup
European football teams are dominating the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, marking a rare success for teams playing outside their home continent. Despite a slow start in group stages, European nations have outperformed non-European sides in the knockout rounds.
Why it matters
The performance challenges historical trends regarding the impact of climate and travel on European teams in international tournaments.
Figure caption, Switzerland are into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954
The article provides a factual analysis of sports performance and historical statistics.
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