Why Are European Teams Failing In The World Cup? Top 5 Reasons This Is South America’s Tournament

European teams have had a tough run in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. With just a few days left in the first round, it is possible that just three European teams will advance to the second stage. As things stand, only the Netherlands and Belgium have guaranteed their ticket beyond the group stage. Unless something crazy happens, France is also almost qualified for the second round after two convincing wins. But Italy, Spain and England, all previous World Cup winners, have all crashed out. Here are some possible explanations.

1. Weather. Undoubtedly the weather in Brazil has played a significant part in the poor performances of Euroepean teams. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has pointed to the unpredictable weather in areas hosting the tournament. Weather can vary from the relatively cool Belo Horizonte, at 20 degrees Celsius, to Manaus, in Northwest Brazil, where humidity levels will typically range between 57-99 percent, making a 30 degree day seem like 40. This has been an issue for European teams used to cooler climates and has played to the advantage of South American teams.

2. Aging Players. Much has been made about Spain's tumbling defeat as former champions. Yet this is precisely the point - this is the same team that played four years ago. Many are well into their thirties - practically ancient in football years. Moreover, the team has been left behind strategy wise. As Hard Tackle explains: "the tiki taka train has run its course, and a more direct fluid counter-attacking approach favored by the Dutch and the French, and a robustness exemplified by the Germans has returned to dominate European football."

3. Poor Coaching. A number of people have pointed to poor choices in coaching. Spain's Del Bosque is excellent at keeping a team together and encouraging commaraderie. But Spain needed someone with fire: someone to inspire the aging team to glory. Likewise, Roy Hodgson was something of a bland choice for England: they too needed someone with more fire. Take Mexico's 'El Piojo' Herrera for inspiration.

4. Arrogance. European teams have also come to underestimate their South American counterparts: misjudging the danger posed by teams like Costa Rica and Uruguay has cost teams dearly. Mario Balotelli's jeered on Twitter: "If we beat Costa Rica i want a kiss,obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen." The post certainly came back to haunt him.

5. Tiring European Season. European teams, and Spain in particular, have been carrying on some considerable fatigue from a tough European season. As CNN's Alex Thomas explains, "There wasn't enough left in the tank...half a dozen [players from the Champions League final] played only three and a half weeks previously, were in Spain's squad to face Chile on Wednesday. A further seven were from Barcelona, carrying a different form of mental baggage - the strain of defeat after letting the Primera Liga title slip from their grasp."

Ultimately none of these reasons can truly account for a poor performance: simply put, it has been a very unusual World Cup. However, let us not forget that a European team has never won the championship on South American soil. There is something in the air in Brazil, and it isn't just humidity.