Differences in the Performance of National Football Teams from Different Continents at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Analysis of the playing style, tactical and situational parameters in football shows different variations depending on con- tinental affiliation. The aim of the paper was to determine the differences in the performance of national teams coming from different continents at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The study included all national teams (n=32) that participated in the FIFA World Cup, with the performance of each team analyzed in every match they played. Since each match involved two national teams, a total of 128 individual team appearances were analyzed across 64 official FIFA World Cup matches. The participating national teams (n=32) were distributed across five continents: distributed across 5 continents: Europe (n=13 national teams; n=56 team appearances), Asia (n=6; n=21), Africa (n=5; n=20), South America (n=4; n=18) and North and Central America (n=4; n=13). The variables analyzed were: goals scored, shots on goal, pass- es, completed passes, pass accuracy percentage, ball possession percentage, total distance covered, total distance covered in zones 4 and 5, maximum speed achieved, successful line breaks, successful line breaks of the opponent's defensive line, ball receptions in the final third of the field, second balls won (www.fifa.com). The results show significant differences between continents in the following performances: shots on goal (p=0.049), shots on goal (p=0.001), total number of passes (p=0.00), total number of completed passes (p=0.00), percentage of pass accuracy (p=0.00), percent- age of possession (p=0.00), maximum team speed achieved (p=0.006), successful line breaks (p=0.00) and touches with the ball in the last third of the field (p=0.00). The groups do not differ in goals scored (p=0.122), distance covered (p=0.875), distance covered in zones 4 and 5 (p=0.180), successfully broken defensive lines (p=0.198) and second balls won (p=0.744). Differences between continents have been observed, with European and South American teams having more possession of the ball, more passes and controlling the tempo of the game, while African, Central American and Asian teams prefer faster transitions and a more direct style of play based on the individual qualities of players. In terms of distance covered and intensity of movement in zones 4 and 5, the teams are at approximately the same level. The dif- ferences reflect historical, tactical and technical factors, which contribute to the diversity, unpredictability and richness of the game of football in the world.