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REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
This chart out of Goldman Sachs new report "The World Cup and Economics 2014" shows how world exports and World Cup expansion have roughly been in step since the tournament's inception in 1930. Back then, only 13 teams participated.
During that period, world exports increased from around $30 billion to $22 trillion today.
"Although the decision on how many countries participate in the World Cup is made by FIFA's governing bodies, the same market forces that are driving up exports are also likely to push for a larger representation of teams, especially as African and Asian nations increase their presence on the global stage," wrote the analysts.
Goldman Sachs