FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Which Continents Have the Most Countries Left in Brazil?
Every country competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil has high hopes of winning the biggest soccer tournament in the world.
Unfortunately, with over 200 countries and territories around the world, there's only room for 32. Then from there, elimination from group play narrows down the field to just 16 nations.
With so few countries remaining, fans around the world can still pull for their continental countries. Latin Post.com examines how each continent has done so far in this year's World Cup up to the knockout round:
(Unfortunately, Antarctica didn't make the cut.)
Europe
Teams sent: 13
Teams advanced: 6
Europe had by far the most teams when the World Cup began with 13.
High expectations came as usual with Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany leading the way. Italy and Spain were the two biggest disappointments of the World Cup, according to most, because of their history and expectations.
Although Europe has the most teams remaining, seven were eliminated in group play. Those teams include Spain, Italy, England, Bosnia, Portugal, Russia and Croatia. The six European teams to advance were Germany, France, Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland and Belgium.
South America
Teams sent: 6
Teams advanced: 5
Many South American nations have high hopes because of this year's location, Brazil. South America sent less than half the amount of teams to the World Cup as Europe but still have almost the same amount competing.
The only South American nation that failed to qualify for the knockout round was Ecuador. The five national teams who advanced to the round of 16 include Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.
It's no surprise that Europe and South America dominate the field (11 of 16 remaining) as every World Cup has been won by one of those two continents.
North America
Teams sent: 4
Teams advanced: 3
Could this finally be the year a North American country wins the World Cup? Mexico was very impressive in a tough Group A, and Team USA advanced as well. The only North American country that failed to advance was Honduras. Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica will all be playing in the round of 16. Costa Rica has been the most underrated team in this year's World Cup.
Africa
Teams sent: 5
Teams advanced: 2
It was a wild ride for most of the African nations. There was a high possibility that just one or as many as four could have made the round of 16. Both Nigeria and Algeria will be representing Africa in this year's World Cup playoff round. This will be Algeria's first time in the knockout round stage, so fans get to witness that for the very first time. Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast all failed to advanced to the round of 16.
Australia
Teams sent: 1
Teams advanced: 0
Australia isn't just a continent, but it's also a country. Australia was the only team to make the World Cup from the area, but unfortunately for them they finished 0-3 in Group B. The only time Australia has qualified for the knockout round was in 2006.
Asia
Teams sent: 3
Teams advanced: 0
Asia had, by far, the most disappointing World Cup for their fans of any continent. Three Asian national teams qualified for the World Cup, but all failed to advance to the round of 16. Those teams are South Korea, Japan and Iran. Russia is a member of the UEFA, so they are included in Europe. Not only did all three Asian teams fail to make the round of 16, but Iran, South Korea and Japan also combined for zero wins.
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