Is European soccer on decline? Many big names facing elimination in early rounds

[wiss19]

Italy, Denmark, and Serbia are out of this World Cup. After them, Turkey and the Czech Republic are out of action in group stage games. Their performances were not as expected and last night Germany and the Netherlands also facing surprising eliminations from the round of 32 on penalties.

In upcoming games, a few teams are also going to face possible elimination with this level of performance.
Now, it looks like European soccer is facing serious troubles.

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.
 
What are your thoughts on this?

[_act_]

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.
 

The first time that South Africa qualifies for round of 32, but it was the first country that was also knocked out after Canada won with a single goal.

I know you bring this topic because of Morocco. Senegal and Morocco are the two African best, while Morocco remain the top choice. Only the countries in Africa may likely go farther.

South America were good before.

[rezakurnia66]

Interested thread OP, I don't know how easily many top European team eliminated from World Cup 2026 since the phase group until round of 32, during the group phase there are have three European team have been eliminated from Scotland, Turkey and Czech Republic team. Entering the round of 32 there are two top European teams have eliminated after Netherland beating by Morocco and previously Germany eliminated by not favorite team Paraguay.

One hour later, Norway vs Ivory Coast and waiting would be the next European team will eliminate or success qualifying to knock out round, I am still defending with France as favorite of European team will reach to final round in World Cup 2026.

[salad daging]

Teams from Africa and South America are progressing including the home team which has a good performance, while teams from Europe have a lot of setbacks for me this is not a crisis but the team cohesiveness has begun to decline and the quality of players and coaches today is a little different from before.

Still the center of attention is from the European team because some of us many players are familiar with it only when they play in their own country's team like there is no progress, but that's not all just some.

There are still many strong European teams, Norway is also now a tough team.

[Hewlet]

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.
 
What are your thoughts on this?

Soccer in Europe is not facing any measurable problem. What's happening is Just that other nationality are stepping up to the task of playing not as an under dog but as a team that has equal right to also win the trophy just like the European. The times has long gone when you think that because you're seeing England playing against an African team that you're going to witness a direct win or because because a particular country has a combination of stars that it's going to translate to them winning the world cup. All the teams that are in the world cup have shown that they didn't come for a playing matter. They are giving in Thier all and European teams can only do well by becoming a better team. Past glory doesn't count in present day football. If you want it that much, be ready to go for it.

[Agbe]

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.

From all indication, only team that will survive from the above mentioned, it is France. England style of playing in this tournament is very poor and Spain is the same line with others. Ivory Coast being one of the toughest team in Africa will eliminate Norway tonight. Op you know football is a generational game. The generation whereby the Europe was producing good or skillful players is gone. But for what is happening right now, Europe will rise up in the next generation of football. As you said, South America and Africa is doing good in the tournament this time. They were the worst teams in the previous World Cup Tournaments. But they have rise again.

[YOSHIE]

What are your thoughts on this?

Even though we are currently seeing big names phenomenon early exits in European football tournaments, this situation is not a phenomenon of decline in quality, This often happens, I think a situation like that will actually show something related to equal distribution of strength and tactics where in this situation the club will have infrastructure for the team in developing players that is much better at international level.

The phenomenon of being eliminated by big club names at the start will actually create equality among the circles which will provide opportunities for countries that were previously far behind and not at the top. like Slovakia or what we know like Georgia now they have the opportunity to bring in good players to compete in the top European leagues, because they know this is a good opportunity and opportunity to have support in the European leagues and also in several other formats such asplay safe, The team does not want problems in accidents in the group phase to also affect difficult to predict matches which in the end often lead to draws or defeats as is happening now.

[Rashlyowl]

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.

I can't fully agree with you, European football still maintains its high quality, it's just that the quality of teams outside Europe has improved. Look at teams featuring many naturalized players, they play at a high level in Europe & they maintain that same quality when playing for the national team, making it difficult for European teams to face them. Of course, I was surprised by the elimination of Germany & Netherlands, but Paraguay & Morocco deserved their victories.

[Filicius]

How is European soccer on decline, if the best players in the world (no matter their nationality) compete in European leagues? Even if you were right and European players gave up their dominance to those from other continents, European teams, clubs and leagues would be the most valued in the world, and that perception would be very difficult to change.

[bitLeap]

Italy, Denmark, and Serbia are out of this World Cup. After them, Turkey and the Czech Republic are out of action in group stage games. Their performances were not as expected and last night Germany and the Netherlands also facing surprising eliminations from the round of 32 on penalties.

In upcoming games, a few teams are also going to face possible elimination with this level of performance.
Now, it looks like European soccer is facing serious troubles.

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.
 
What are your thoughts on this?

It is worth noting that nine African nations have now advanced to the Round of 32, a significant milestone for African soccer. Previously, many African teams were merely fill ins at the World Cup, but now they have surprised everyone by eliminating top-seeded teams such as Germany and the Netherlands. Therefore the strength of African teams is truly a force to be reckoned with.

[SirLancelot]

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.

From all indication, only team that will survive from the above mentioned, it is France. England style of playing in this tournament is very poor and Spain is the same line with others. Ivory Coast being one of the toughest team in Africa will eliminate Norway tonight. Op you know football is a generational game. The generation whereby the Europe was producing good or skillful players is gone. But for what is happening right now, Europe will rise up in the next generation of football. As you said, South America and Africa is doing good in the tournament this time. They were the worst teams in the previous World Cup Tournaments. But they have rise again.

You pointed out a few good points, but as things are going, I am not optimistic about European soccer in the near future because a few things are getting worse, and the new generation is not having enough aggression about soccer like the older generation did. This is already shifting because of technology and now AI.

France surely has a good chance of winning this time, with Argentina being the only team that can stand against them, but still, it's too early because there are too many surprises and still a few more possible while no other team has enough potential in this event. Recently too many African players are moving from their native countries to Europe for better sources and salaries. This could be a big challenge for local European players because they can overtake them in these competitions, and locals can face more problems.

[Yurkov]

Italy, Denmark, and Serbia are out of this World Cup. After them, Turkey and the Czech Republic are out of action in group stage games. Their performances were not as expected and last night Germany and the Netherlands also facing surprising eliminations from the round of 32 on penalties.

In upcoming games, a few teams are also going to face possible elimination with this level of performance.
Now, it looks like European soccer is facing serious troubles.

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.
 
What are your thoughts on this?

You are completely right. Seeing giants like Germany and the Netherlands go out on penalties last night, following Italy, Denmark, and Serbia, shows that something serious is happening in European football.
However, I don't think it means Europe is getting worse. In my opinion, the level of football outside Europe has improved dramatically. African and South American teams have closed the gap with better tactics, incredible physical fitness, and world-class talent. It makes the tournament much more exciting and unpredictable!

[Stepstowealth]

In upcoming games, a few teams are also going to face possible elimination with this level of performance.
Now, it looks like European soccer is facing serious troubles.

Football moves in seasons and I think it is normal that another continent starts to dominate the football face because over the years we've seen football move in terms of countries that dominate it from one country to another but never to the African side it is very possible that maybe in this competition it is an African country that gets to win the World Cup and make history for the first time, maybe it will be Morocco because they are playing boldly and have shown that they do not fear even teams that have a bigger trophy cabinet than they do.

[Hispo]

I personally do not think European Football teams are specially bad. It would make more sense to me to point out how American and Africans teams are regardless getting getter though time, while European teams take their slots within the World cup for granted.
England, France an Spain are the strongest representation Europe has, but it won't be the only representation which are capable of going far into which an important tournament like this one.

Also, we must consider European Football teams have much more resources and professionals are their disposal when compared to South America and Africa, that gives them advantage. It may not be all which take, but it is a good boost to their future performance.

[Ruttoshi]

Italy didn't qualify to the world cup.

I still have strong believe in France as the favorite country in Europe that will make it to the finals. The rest are not too strong enough though, it depends on the team they will clash with.

Of course, Africa football has improved a lot. Unlike, in the past that they hardly qualify from the group stage. Don't be surprised to see two Africa nations in the quarter finals.

[Marykeller]

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.

From all indication, only team that will survive from the above mentioned, it is France. England style of playing in this tournament is very poor and Spain is the same line with others. Ivory Coast being one of the toughest team in Africa will eliminate Norway tonight. Op you know football is a generational game. The generation whereby the Europe was producing good or skillful players is gone. But for what is happening right now, Europe will rise up in the next generation of football. As you said, South America and Africa is doing good in the tournament this time. They were the worst teams in the previous World Cup Tournaments. But they have rise again.

This is it, football is a generational game, whereby it is passed from generation to generation. And no country in the world that won't produce quality players at a time to dominate the World Cup

I remember those days, when the South American nations like Brazil and Argentina were dominating the World Cup each time. Africans and European were among the countries that most times gets kicked out in the group stage.

Today, it's different stories, Africa, and South America not Europe is waxing strong in terms of football. We can see them making history in the World Cup. Morocco can make another record in this World Cup

[Charles-Tim]

Of course, Africa football has improved a lot. Unlike, in the past that they hardly qualify from the group stage. Don't be surprised to see two Africa nations in the quarter finals.

There is nothing that improved about it. Africa has always having legendary football players, but I do not know what the problem is because to win the world cup is like a curse like no Africa nation would win it. Since the start of world cup, no African country has ever won the cup. Also this time, I do not even have hope in Morocco. It was penalty that saved the team today when played with Netherlands. There are better teams.

[acroman08]

What are your thoughts on this?

Haven't South American teams always been strong in football? I mean, I looked at the countries that have won the World Cup, and I saw Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay winning the World Cup multiple times. As for the African teams, I remember reading that Morocco reached the semi-finals in the previous World Cup, so it's not surprising if they win against other strong teams in the World Cup. Anyway, I'm more inclined to believe that the other South American and African teams improved a lot, instead of European teams declining.

[skarais]

Italy, Denmark, and Serbia are out of this World Cup. After them, Turkey and the Czech Republic are out of action in group stage games. Their performances were not as expected and last night Germany and the Netherlands also facing surprising eliminations from the round of 32 on penalties.

In upcoming games, a few teams are also going to face possible elimination with this level of performance.
Now, it looks like European soccer is facing serious troubles.

Even there are plenty of teams are still in and have a good chance of winning the title like France, England, and Spain but I started to have a strong feeling like soccer in Europe is facing miserable problems with African countries dominating along with South American countries.
 
What are your thoughts on this?

Football has thrived everywhere, so it would not be surprising if the dominance of the big European teams could be stopped by teams from other continents. The failure of Germany and the Netherlands in the round of 32 is the reason why we cannot underestimate African or South American teams, although the Netherlands and Germany are much more favored than Morocco or Paraguay. Setback, I think yes, but this is also a sign that teams from different continents can also be better.

So far I have never thought that this is a serious problem for European countries, especially about the performance of their teams, especially considering how each country tries to perform optimally throughout the game. Losing is normal, but losing to a lower ranked nation at a World Cup is no fun.

[HustleZ]

What are your thoughts on this?

I dont think european football is degrading, i think that other countries are upgrading rapidly relative to them. The low level teams that aren’t taken seriously are the ones that deliver performance and knock the other team out because overconfidence is a very bad emotion in these games and level because one small mistake can lead you being knocked out. So I necessarily don’t believe european team’s have down graded the low level teams have improved and overconfidence is also a factor.