The secret AI that could help explain this wild World Cup

This year’s FIFA World Cup has been unusually volatile. The expanded 48-team format has produced a string of surprise results—including Cape Verde, ranked 67th and playing in its first World Cup, holding cofavorite Spain to a scoreless draw in Atlanta before coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uruguay. The 32-team knockout round has continued that pattern. Paraguay eliminated four-time champion Germany on penalties after a controversial video assistant referee (VAR) call wiped out a German extra-time goal for a foul in the box. One potential factor at play here: the way tournament data is n...