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World Cup's 'middle income trap' – why breaking into soccer's elite is so hard to do (as Morocco might soon find out)

  • Written by Stefan Szymanski, Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan
World Cup's 'middle income trap' – why breaking into soccer's elite is so hard to do (as Morocco might soon find out)Rising above Spain is one thing ... but can Morocco repeat the feat again and again and again? Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images

Every World Cup produces surprises.

In the group stage in Qatar, Japan delighted almost everyone by defeating both Germany and Spain, Saudi Arabia upset Argentina, Morocco felled Belgium, and South Korea shocked Portugal.

Even mig...

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