South America lead the way - which continents are performing best at the Club World Cup?

All six continents compared 

The newly revamped Club World Cup, hosted in the USA, has received some mixed reviews so far, but there has certainly been some quality, entertaining football on display on the pitch itself. The expanded tournament has put clubs from across the globe up against one another, with teams from Europe (12), South America (6), North America (5), Africa (4), Asia (4) and Oceania (1) all competing for the title of being the world's best team.

Whilst European teams were expected to dominate due to the huge disparity in money and pedigree in the European game compared to elsewhere, there have been plenty of shocks in the opening two game weeks. Perhaps none more so than Brazilian side Botafogo beating Champions League winners Paris-Saint-Germain 1-0. Chelsea, who have spent close to €1.5 billion in the last three years, were also humbled by Rio de Janiero's Flamengo, with the Brazilian outfit beating the Blues 3-1. There has been a similar theme throughout the tournament thus far. But how do each continent's sides compare so far in this summer's Club World Cup?

South America 1st - which continent's have performed best at Club World Cup?

Firstly, we should emphasise the vast difference in money and quality available to European teams. As highlighted in the graphic above, the average squad market value among the 12 European sides stands at €737 million. No other continent comes close to even reach a quarter of that figure. South America's average is €154m, Asia's is €60m, North America's is €58m, Africa's is just €30m, while Oceania's only representative, Auckland City's squad value is only €5m. This makes what we are about to reveal even more impressive.

If we calculate the average number of points per team at the Club World Cup, South America actually lead Europe and are top of the charts. Among the six teams of Botafogo (6 points), Flamengo (6 points), Fluminense (4 points), River Plate (4 points), Palmeiras (4 points), and Boca Juniors (1 point), the average points per team (ppt) stands at 4.16ppt. Despite the 12 European nations picking up a total of 48 points so far, among the dozen that averages out at just 4.00ppt, just behind their continental counterparts. This is a remarkable achievement so far, and the South American sides will be determined to confirm their place in the last 16 this week. All can still qualify, although the odds are against Boca.

In third place are Africa, with an average of 1.75ppt among the four clubs of Mamelodi Sundowns (4 points), Esperance Tunis (3 points), Al Ahly (0 points) and Wydad Casablanca (0 points). Then it's the five North American sides who average out 1.20ppt among them, with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami contributing three of their six points. Asia take fifth with a disappointing 0.50ppt, with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal (2 points) the only Asian side to have a point on the board thus far. Finally, Oceania's Auckland complete the list, with 0.00ppt, and a -16 goal difference so far for the New Zealand amateur side.