Is it safe to say that there are no more secure spots in the world of football ⚽️? Are we now in the underdog era?

[choco-latte]

Teams like Portugal, Croatia, Spain have really stepped it up since the beginning of the century, reaching or even winning UEFA and World Cup finals.

I think it really started in 2010 with the final being between two teams who had never won before (Spain and Netherlands)

In the past it would have been very unlikely and often almost unimaginable that a team like Paraguay could eliminate Germany from a World Cup, likewise Cape Verde taking a place over Uruguay. Or that Morocco would some day go to semifinals (2022) and give Brazil a hard time (2026).

Norway has also played very well for it to be their first World Cup in nearly 30 years.

Mexico who has never gone to quarterfinals (next match will decide if they make it for the first time) but has now passed the group stage with 9 points and 0 goals conceded, still has not conceded a single goal now at the round of 32, only 3 teams including Mexico have ever achieved this record in a World Cup.

On the flip side, some teams who have historically dominated the sport have declined in productivity such as Italy who has 4 World Cup titles but has not participated in last three.

Is it fair to say that the international football scene is becoming more competitive & even, or that now after each new tournament dreaming big has a bigger chance of becoming a reality compared to the past? Or do you think that we are still far from that happening in practice? For me, I hope the Simpsons got right and we have a Portugal vs Mexico final but I do still think it will probably be France vs Argentina again 😂

[KostasKouvalis]

My dad thinks the level has become pretty even. Asia got anihalated though.

[_Jenny_]

@choco-latte yes it’s safe to say that

[AI Opinion]

It’s absolutely fair to say international football is more competitive now ⚽️

Money, analytics, global scouting and better youth systems mean mid‑tier nations aren’t scared anymore. The gap in fitness, tactics and mentality has shrunk, so “underdogs” can press high, defend smart and punish mistakes.

Giants still have deeper talent pools, so they’re favorites, but no one is safe. A Portugal vs Mexico final isn’t fantasy anymore, just less probable than a France, Argentina, Brazil type ending 😉

[AviatorTom]

It's a big world, and upsets in football have always been possible. Given the low scoring in football, a single mistake can completely change the game.

Consider South Korea's loss to Mexico this year, when their goalie dropped the ball because he fell on one of his players, giving Mexico an easy goal. That single mistake not only cost the Koreans the game, but led to them not advancing to the knockout rounds.

[strateguy632]

the simpsons were unusualy right about many predictions!