Germany's Unexpected Resurgence in the World Cup Form Table
The latest form table for the FIFA World Cup reveals some unexpected results, emphasizing current team strengths more effectively than the sluggish world rankings. Germany, for instance, is performing significantly better than its position in the official FIFA rankings suggests, as it currently ranks just tenth. Meanwhile, teams like Morocco and Japan have proven that they are no longer underdogs, now asserting themselves as formidable competitors.
At first glance, the top of the World Cup form table appears familiar, with France leading, followed by Spain and then Germany. However, Germany's placement at third is noteworthy, especially given its tenth position in the FIFA world rankings. This discrepancy highlights the team’s current form, which allows them to outshine several renowned footballing nations.
The form table is calculated based on three key factors: the outcomes of the last ten international matches (60%), the results from the World Cup qualifiers (30%), and current market assessment through betting odds (10%). This formula also considers the strength of opponents and the magnitude of match results—older matches are weighted less heavily, and competitive matches are valued more than friendlies.
Emerging Contenders: Morocco and Japan
Currently, Germany holds the best performance score among all teams in their last ten games, with a Last10 index of 86.8, surpassing football giants like France, Spain, England, and Argentina. Additionally, Germany possesses a strong qualification index of 79.0, resulting in an overall stable score of 79.6. This is particularly significant considering Germany's early exits in previous World Cup tournaments; the current form suggests they are serious contenders for the title.
Morocco's performance is particularly striking, placing fifth in the form table, ahead of notable teams like Argentina, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Brazil. Despite having a weak betting odds index, which indicates that the market has lower expectations for them, Morocco’s strong Last10 score of 75.2 and exceptional qualification index of 90.1 highlight the team's potential to advance further in the tournament.
Japan also showcases a remarkable leap in the form table, ranking seventh despite being 18th in the FIFA world rankings. The team's performance is similarly driven by solid results rather than betting expectations, with a Last10 value of 76.1 and a qualification index of 81.0, placing them ahead of many more recognized teams.
On the flip side, Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, finds itself in a disappointing position, ranking 20th in the form table despite being sixth in the FIFA rankings. While the market still views Brazil as a strong team—reflected in a betting odds index of 60.4—their on-field performance is lacking, with scores of 58.6 in the last ten matches and 56.4 during qualification.
In addition to Morocco and Japan, two European teams, Norway and Austria, also stand out. Norway, ranked 44th in the FIFA rankings, impressively claims ninth place in the form table, driven by a qualification score of 93.7, the highest among the top ten. Austria follows closely in tenth place, confirming its underdog status with robust Last10 and qualification scores, despite being ranked only 24th in the FIFA standings.
While the form table does not entirely overturn the established World Cup hierarchy—France and Spain still lead—it does indicate a shift in dynamics. Germany appears significantly stronger than its world ranking suggests, and Morocco and Japan have established themselves as serious contenders rather than mere surprises. The case of Brazil serves as a reminder that a team's name alone does not guarantee success in this evaluation.
As reported by t-online.de.
