Relative age effect in FIFA U17 Emirates 2013 World Cup: analysis of players who effectively participated in the matches

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the date of birth is a decisive factor for the success of players selected by the coaches to participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Emirates 2013. The players' date of birth were classified into four quartiles of three months each (Q1 to Q4). In the qualifying round, 46.5% of the selected players born in Q1, while 12.5% in Q4. This significantly different distribution occurred until the semi-finals. However, in the final match, there were no significant differences between Q1 and Q4. A similar relative age effect also occurred when analyzed only players who actually participated to the matches. Interestingly, despite there was birth date effect on performance in all World Cup stages except in the final, other issues should take into consideration for a team became champion.

Soccer and Relative Age Effect: A Walk among Elite Players and Young Players

“…RAE was observed during ten years in male FIFA U17 World Cup teams [ 56 ], as well as in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup [ 17 ]. It was also observed in the 2012 European Soccer Championship [ 49 ], as well as in the FIFA U17 World Cup Emirates 2013 [ 48 ].…”

“…In this line, recent studies reveal that this effect is still present in several sports and has increased in the last two decades [ 31 ], especially in popular sport such as soccer [ 51 ]. The effect has been examined around the world: America [ 40 , 47 ], Europe [ 5 , 7 , 26 , 20 , 29 , 44 ] and also in Asia [ 36 , 48 ]. RAE is also investigated alongside several topics (see Figure 2 ).…”

“…Thus, flexible policies (“open doors for everybody”) are suggested in order to recruit players. Amazingly, some African countries that won international competitions had an inversed birthdate distribution (an over-representation of players born in the last month of the year) [ 48 ]. This result could be explained by the emphasis on the tactical aspects versus the physical characteristics, although this new hypothesis needs to be assessed.…”

“…Thus, clubs focus on the older players who try to develop as professional players [ 46 ]. Although RAE has been identified in the final stage of the competition [ 38 ], it does not guarantee success [ 48 ]. Indeed, coaches should be properly trained in order to create a homogenous birth-month distribution that prevents dropouts in sport [ 29 ].…”

Prevalence of Relative Age Effect in Russian Soccer: The Role of Chronological Age and Performance

“…Andrade-Souza found that the African junior national teams were predominantly composed of the players born in the fourth quarter of the year. They tied it to the fact that in these countries the selection for soccer teams is primarily based on emotional, technical, and tactical aspects and not overall physical prowess [27]. Typically, it has been argued that a change would be required in the way the age groups were formed, with the selection window being narrowed and shifted.…”