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Are international minnows getting stronger?

The convergence hypothesis states that poor countries grow faster than rich ones. In practice it has been modified to become 'conditional convergence': countries only grow if the conditions are right such as good political leadership (think North Korea and Venezuela).

Economists Melanie Krause and Stefan Syzmanski decided to see if the convergence hypothesis worked for international men's football. They did find that the performance of international football teams is converging. The minnows are getting stronger and the old cliché 'there are no easy games in international football' is truer today than it was n the 1950s.

The very best ideas can be imitated. Elite football offers a global labour market. A strong player from a weak national team will spend most of his time at a top club side in the company of world-class dieticians, physios, trainers and fellow players. His home nation enjoys the benefits.

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