WC Regions: Historical Data / 2026 Analysis

I scored countries that have been to the WC since 1954. That chart can be seen by clicking here. Below show how points have been allocated. 'Totals' are the points for each tournament. Then matches and average points per match, which has remained reasonably similar.

What has dropped is the percentage for the winner, from 22% to 8%. Points for teams not making the quarter finals are the reason. As their number has swelled, so too the percentage, fom 17% to 61%. 

Moving on to how regions have gone. The number of nations went up by 45.5% in 2026. The number of  nations participating regionally, Europe went up numerically 23%, Americas 50%, East/Pacific 67% and Africa 100%. 

As for points won, East/Pacific went up just 12.5%, Europe up 68%, Americas 74% and Africa 153%.

The gap between the extra nations and points gained by region were East/Pacific a terrible -54%, Americas a modest +24%, Europe a sound +45% and Africa a buoyant +53%.

Europe is the most successful region but is getting less allocations. Its percentage points are down to 44% of the total. Yet the above shows that the success is the second highest if comparing points won with the allocations by percentage. Europe was not given sufficient spots considering the quality of football there. 

America's very generous 12 nation allocation for 2026 did achieved more points but was third on the metric of improvement per team. Surely they don't need more nations. 

Africa had its number of participants doubled and grew the most, so allocating more spots was a successful move. More spots will surely follow.

East/Pacific was a disaster. 6 to 10 teams didn't work on the field. However, with the population that region covers, I'm sure FIFA is eyeing the revenue potential and will want more allocations from here. 

If you want clarification of what I wrote, please leave a comment and I will answer. 

WC Countries Ranked: 1954-2026

For a chart on how points are awarded and an analysis by regions, simply click here.

World Cup Knock Out Stage : 2026

Four games to reach the final games and five wins to lift the trophy. That will test consistency. So here we dive into the rounds. The colours represent which group they came from.

The round of 32. What were the surprises of the round? Two only for mine. Germany has failed to fire in the last three WC's so it was not a surprise to lose to Paraguay. Based on historical results, a shock. Based on recent tournaments not a total shock but an upset. 

Argentina struggling to get past Cape Verde wasn't totally unexpected, but conceding two goals was to me. They had two 0-0 results in the round robin games so I thought their best chance was 1-0 or 0-0 with penalties. 3-2 was not what I expected.

The round of 16. The big news was that the three host nations were eliminated. If it gives soccer in the region a boost, then a success. If it didn't, then it should have been played elsewhere. All games ended in regular time, except one, which was about as dull as football can get. 

Norway defeating Brazil would normally have been a huge upset. Brazilian football is but a shadow of its former glory while this Norwegian team is probably its best ever. Bring those factors together, not such a surprise. Argentina came back from 0-2 with 12 minutes left and avoided a surprise. One player does seem to be carrying Argentina. 

Quarter Finals: There were no surprises here. France looked the favourite to take the trophy.

Semi Finals: France were favoured to win the title but were lacklustre in their defeat to Spain. It was out of character but that happens in sport. The other game was expected to be close and it was. England went ahead then tried to protect it. That backfired and Argentina advanced. 

Play off third/fourth: As this is, in my opinion, a pointless game, I don't cover it. As it turned out to be an amazing 6-4 win for England over France.

Grand Final: Went into extra time. Shots taken: Spain 20, Argentina 2. Football 1, antifootball 0. In two WC finals in the USA, 240 minutes played, one goal in total scored.