Post by University of Zurich

Colonial history continues to shape outcomes today: even on the football field. ⚽ 🗺️ A research team from the University of Zurich simulated the 2026 FIFA World Cup nearly 1,500 times and found that former colonial powers still benefit from historical connections. Many elite players with family roots in former colonies currently represent European national teams, effectively expanding their talent pool. 📊 The researchers explored what would happen if these players instead represented their families’ countries of origin. The results were striking: Formerly colonized countries would win the World Cup almost twice as often, while former colonial powers would lose part of their competitive advantage. Under current conditions, France wins 34.5% of the simulations. If players such as Kylian Mbappé represented their families’ countries of origin, that probability would be nearly cut in half. At the same time, Brazil’s chances of winning the tournament would almost double. 🇨🇭 The findings also reveal an unexpected Swiss angle: If European former colonial powers no longer had access to this additional talent pool, Switzerland would benefit and win the World Cup in 2.5% of the simulations. Nigeria, meanwhile, would become world champion in around 4% of the simulated tournaments. 👉 The study highlights how historical power structures continue to influence competition and success in international soccer today: https://lnkd.in/eQHsyFvt #UZH #UniversityofZurich #FootballResearch #UZHResearch UZH Institut für Kommunikationswissenschaft und Medienforschung (IKMZ) Lucas Paulo da Silva