The performance of the national football teams of small states in international competition

Abstract

Small states possess unique development challenges: limited diversification, limited capacity, poverty, susceptibility to natural disasters and environmental change, remoteness and isolation, openness, and income volatility. To no one's smµiise they also possess limited success in sports, especially football. Citizens of island and small states who love the beautiful game face results which are sour time after time. Such disappointment leads these citizens to come up with endless conclusions about the basis for this. A popular hypothesis is that such atrocious results arc a natural consequence of being a small state. This study posits and analyses the link between being a small state and negative football results. It presents and questions the hypothesis that being an island and small state automatically leads to registering negative football results in international football tournaments. In addition this dissertation investigates the factors that lead to such results, and posits fundamental areas which, thinking optimistically, can bring about change.