Germany
FIFA #9
Efficient. Organized. No fun at parties. Will still probably make the quarterfinals.
๐ In the US
Based in the Philadelphia area, which has a long German-American heritage โ Pennsylvania Dutch country is literally a short drive away. The German fan contingent is organized, punctual, and had already identified the best beer options within an hour of landing.
Style
Organized and structured from back to front โ every player knows their role, and they press as a unit until the other team makes a mistake.
Rivals
The Netherlands. The 1974 final on German soil โ where Germany beat the team that invented total football โ is one of international sport's great disputed outcomes, depending entirely on which side of the border you're standing.
Home Base
Germany has roughly 7 million licensed footballers โ more registered players than any country in Europe. The Bundesliga fills stadiums every weekend with standing fans who sing the whole match, which is how football was always meant to be experienced. Four World Cup titles and still the benchmark for tournament organization.
Human Rights
Freedom House
Political rights and civil liberties score (higher = more free)
Reporters Without Borders
Press Freedom Index ranking (lower = more free, out of 180 countries)
UN Human Development Index
Human Development Index score (higher = more developed, 0โ1 scale)
Transparency International
Perceived public sector corruption โ higher is cleaner
ILGA World
Legal status of same-sex relationships