How Does Every Country in the 2022 World Cup Rank on the Social Progress Index?

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How Does Every Nation in the World Cup Rank on the Social Progress Index?

USA

  • FIFA World Ranking: 16
  • Social Progress Ranking: 25

Considering the immense wealth and cultural and political influence the United States has across the world, ranking 25th on the SPI will be a concern for some. The country ranks lower than considerably poorer countries including the Czech Republic and Estonia. There is a wide contrast of ratings which could suggest that the U.S. is not the country many people think it is. For example, despite being home to some of the world’s best universities, the U.S. only ranks 77th in ‘equal access to quality education’. Also, whilst also having some of the best medical technology in the world, the U.S. ranks only 88th in ‘equal access to quality healthcare’. On the pitch, the U.S. has 2 or 3 young rising stars and with the sport of football fast-growing in the country, they hope to perform well in this FIFA World Cup as it’s no doubt they have all the facilities and finance they need to produce some of the world’s best talent.

Argentina

  • FIFA World Ranking: 3
  • Social Progress Ranking: 41

Argentina is a country that focused on economic and social development in recent years. In 2019, the ministry of women, genders, and diversity was created, one of the first measures by President Alberto Fernández. This was introduced to work on the pressing gender-based violence that the country was suffering from. Other social breakthroughs include the legalization of abortion in 2020, becoming the third country in Latin America to do so. Although ranked 41st on the SPI, steady progress is being made to make the country a better place for its citizens. On the pitch, they are one of the tournament favorites at this FIFA World Cup, possessing one of the best players of our generation, Lionel Messi.

Saudi Arabia

  • FIFA World Ranking: 51
  • Social Progress Ranking: 101

As one of the lowest-ranked countries in both the FIFA World Rankings and SPI, Saudi Arabia performs very poorly both on and off the pitch. Off the pitch, Saudi Arabia has been heavily criticized for its human rights record over recent years with issues such as no free speech, religious discrimination, and lack of women’s rights. In components like ‘inclusiveness’, Saudi Arabia ranks 162nd out of 168 while for ‘opportunity’ ranks 142nd emphasizing the severity of the issues the country is experiencing. Unfortunately for them, on the pitch not much positivity can be added, only being ranked 51st on the FIFA World Ranking and possessing no real standout players who they can count on.

Mexico

  • FIFA World Ranking: 13
  • Social Progress Ranking: 66

Human rights and violence are the main issues that plague Mexico and constitute its poor ranking on the SPI. ‘Personal safety’ and ‘health and wellness’ are two of the areas Mexico holds the lowest scores in.

Poland

  • FIFA World Ranking: 26
  • Social Progress Ranking: 39

Poland is one of the lower-ranked European countries on the SPI. Their ranking has fluctuated in recent years without witnessing a steady rise or decline. Some of their highest scores are in areas such as ‘nutrition and basic medical care’, ‘access to basic knowledge’, and ‘access to information and communications shelter’. But a key issue, like in various other eastern European countries, is the lack of inclusiveness as that area is where Poland possesses the lowest score. Regarding the country’s football ability, they do have one or 2 well-known players including one of the best strikers in the world, Robert Lewandowski, who will hope to fire them as far into the tournament as possible.

France

  • FIFA World Ranking: 4
  • Social Progress Ranking: 20

France possesses some of the world’s best footballing talent and the current FIFA World Cup holders are many people’s favorite to take home the trophy again. The country also has a solid SPI status, ranking well in areas such as ‘personal rights’ and ‘access to basic knowledge’.

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