Team performance and race: evidence from the English and French national soccer teams

Abstract

This study examines the performance of the men's senior national soccer teams of England and France between the years 1996 and 2011. The article models team performance using an array of match-specific variables including the racial composition of the starting XI. We find no definitive evidence that the racial composition of the national teams exerts an influence on match outcome for either country over the period reviewed. In addition, while there is no statistical support for the view that the identity of the England national team manager is an important determinant of performance, there is mild evidence that the converse is the case for France. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis.