POLITICO ranks World Cup participants in various categories. Sweden, France, and Qatar top some lists.
Key facts
- •Qatar is the richest country in the World Cup, with a high GDP per person.
- •Uruguay is the most stable country, according to the World Bank.
- •Haiti has the highest level of perceived corruption, according to Transparency International.
- •Switzerland has the highest life expectancy, according to the World Bank.
- •Sweden is the happiest country, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report.
POLITICO has ranked the 48 World Cup participants in several categories, including FIFA rankings, GDP per person, political stability, corruption, life expectancy, and happiness. The countries that top these lists include Sweden, France, Qatar, Uruguay, Norway, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
By the numbers
Ranking Categories
The rankings are based on various categories, including FIFA rankings, GDP per person, political stability, corruption, life expectancy, and happiness. Qatar is the richest country in the competition, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the poorest. Uruguay is the most stable country, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the least stable. Norway and New Zealand have the lowest perceived corruption levels, while Haiti has the highest. Switzerland has the highest life expectancy, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo has the lowest. Sweden is the happiest country, while Haiti is the least happy.
Notable Matches
The richest group-stage game will be Qatar vs. Switzerland on June 13, while the poorest game will be the Democratic Republic of the Congo vs. Uzbekistan on June 28. The most politically stable game will be Czechia vs. South Korea on June 18, while the most unstable game will be Iran vs. Egypt on June 27. The Cleanest Cup will be Sweden vs. the Netherlands on June 20, while the Corruption Clash will be the Democratic Republic of the Congo vs. Uzbekistan. The happiest game will be Sweden vs. the Netherlands on June 20, while the game between Haiti and Morocco on June 25 may be the saddest.
Timeline
- June 13Qatar vs. Switzerland, the richest group-stage game
- June 18Czechia vs. South Korea, the most politically stable game
- June 20Sweden vs. the Netherlands, the Cleanest Cup and the happiest game
- June 25Haiti vs. Morocco, potentially the saddest game
- June 27Iran vs. Egypt, the most unstable game
- June 28Democratic Republic of the Congo vs. Uzbekistan, the poorest game
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico Europe.
