Why are World Cup underdogs doing so well?

Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup final on December 14, 2022, defeating Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals. This historic achievement followed other notable underdog performances, including Saudi Arabia's 2-1 victory over Argentina on November 22, 2022, and Japan's 2-1 win against Germany on November 23, 2022. These results have sparked debate among football analysts regarding the underlying causes of these upsets. Some attribute these successes to increased investment in youth development and coaching by traditionally lower-ranked nations, leading to a rise in technical skill and tactical sophistication. Others point to the growing importance of data analytics and sports science, which allow smaller teams to identify opponent weaknesses and optimize their own strategies more effectively. The psychological impact of playing against perceived stronger opponents, potentially leading to reduced pressure and increased motivation for the underdogs, is also cited as a contributing factor.