Global Investment Cup: Turn Competition Into Opportunity

The game plan

Whether it’s on the pitch or in a portfolio, success starts with strategy. Here is a quick rundown of how our Global Investment Cup will operate throughout this year’s tournament. Scroll on for the full experience, from studying markets to matchup moments and adviser-ready insights.

Group stage | Study the field

Global markets don’t always move in sync. The group stage is the perfect time to step back and examine how countries are showing up in the investment landscape. Here, you can explore key economic indicators and regional dynamics to get a clearer picture of the forces behind the action on the field and in finance.

Group A

Mexico

Scale: $1.86T

Economic takeaway: Manufacturing‑linked economy connected to US markets, with modest growth constrained by weak consumption and long-standing social pressures.

South Africa

Scale: $401.14B

Economic takeaway: Regional anchor economy facing muted expansion and deep social pressures while pursuing upgrades to power systems and transport networks.

South Korea

Scale: $1.88T

Economic takeaway: Export‑driven nation centered on advanced manufacturing; facing softer growth due to demographic headwinds, political uncertainty and restrained public investment.

Czech Republic

Scale: $347B

Economic takeaway: Export‑driven manufacturing hub led by autos; seeing steady demand‑led growth, tight labour markets and recent energy supply diversification.

Group B

Canada

Scale: $2.24T

Economic takeaway: Resource‑rich economy closely tied to US commerce; experiencing slower momentum as investment weakens amid fiscal and price pressures.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Scale: $29.61B

Economic takeaway: Economy characterised by imports and consumption; constrained by weak private investment with elevated unemployment and a lagging tourism sector.

Qatar

Scale: $219.16B

Economic takeaway: Energy‑based state advancing diversification plans; supported by liquefied gas expansion and a prominent role in Sharia‑compliant finance.

Switzerland

Scale: $936.56B

Economic takeaway: Advanced economy with strong finance and life sciences industries, low joblessness, cooling growth and an older but proficient workforce.

Group C

Brazil

Scale: $2.19T

Economic takeaway: Large, diversified South American market supported by household spending and easing price pressures, with wealth inequality a drawback.

Morocco

Scale: $160.61B

Economic takeaway: North African frontier market rebounding from natural disaster; supported by tourism and industry, strong EU links and governance reforms.

Haiti

Scale: $25.22B

Economic takeaway: Fragile Caribbean state marked by widespread hardship and instability; positives are US trade preferences and openness to external capital.

Scotland

Scale: $3.69T (UK total)

Economic takeaway: Northern UK economy dominated by services including finance and government, with production industries playing a secondary role.

Group D

United States

Scale: $28.75T

Economic takeaway: World’s pre-eminent economy; leader in finance and services, with slowing price pressures offset by rising public debt and restrained growth momentum.

Paraguay

Scale: $44.46B

Economic takeaway: Agriculture‑focused South American economy supported by strong hydropower industry, yet constrained by governance concerns and inequality.

Australia

Scale: $1.76T

Economic takeaway: Economically advanced commodities exporter with broad services and industry, seeing modest steady expansion despite demographic and productivity pressures.

Turkey

Scale: $1.36T

Economic takeaway: Diversified economy balancing industry and agriculture; supported by tourism and energy, yet facing inflationary pressures and financial risks.

Group E

Germany

Scale: $4.69T

Economic takeaway: Core European manufacturing powerhouse facing stalled momentum from export softness and energy struggles.

Curacao

Scale: $3.56B

Economic takeaway: Caribbean jurisdiction with tourism strength and notable financial sector; expanding tech incentives, with refineries enabling foreign energy partnerships.

Ivory Coast

Scale: $87.11B

Economic takeaway: Influential West African market gaining momentum; construction strength and diversification offset rural poverty and modestly rising debt.

Ecuador

Scale: $124.68B

Economic takeaway: South American country damaged by COVID-19; banana exports are a strength, offset by oil dependence and persistent social unrest.

Group F

Netherlands

Scale: $1.21T

Economic takeaway: Mature European hub with substantial logistics, services and technology industries; exposed to global trade frictions; easing inflation and manageable fiscal difficulties.

Japan

Scale: $4.03T

Economic takeaway: Large, diversified trading economy adjusting to policy normalisation; tourism rebounding; demographics, elevated debt and currency pressures are headwinds.

Sweden

Scale: $603.72B

Economic takeaway: Advanced Nordic exporter with strong technology and industry foundations; cooling inflation is a plus, while trade uncertainty remains a key risk.

Tunisia

Scale: $51.33B

Economic takeaway: North African market closely tied to Europe; tight fiscal policy and joblessness weigh on advancement.

Group G

Belgium

Scale: $671.37B

Economic takeaway: Mature euro‑area economy facing reduced demand and export softness; high debt, ageing demographics and productivity constraints limit growth momentum.

Egypt

Scale: $389.06B

Economic takeaway: Sizable North African economy pursuing diversification plans; fiscal situation improving; private activity and workforce participation lagging.

Iran

Scale: $475.25B

Economic takeaway: State‑managed economy reliant on hydrocarbons and agriculture; prior to war with US, already struggled with high inflation, sanctions and currency weakness.

New Zealand

Scale: $260.17B

Economic takeaway: Developed island economy with agriculture and tourism strengths; export business dependent on China; deficits and lagging productivity weigh on growth.

Group H

Spain

Scale: $1.73T

Economic takeaway: Services‑led euro‑area economy with tourism strength; solid expansion persists, while fiscal consolidation and unemployment temper momentum.

Cape Verde

Scale: $2.73B

Economic takeaway: Aid‑ and tourism‑dependent island economy with large remittance inflows; limited natural resources, high trade gaps and public debt constrain diversification.

Saudi Arabia

Scale: $1.24T

Economic takeaway: Energy‑centric Gulf economy pursuing diversification via state‑led investment; youthful workforce supports transition, while wealth disparities persist.

Uruguay

Scale: $80.96B

Economic takeaway: Relatively stable South American exporter with a broad middle class; agricultural shipments anchor growth, while security concerns and regional spillovers pose risks.

Group I

France

Scale: $3.16T

Economic takeaway: Advanced European economy with strong tourism and industry; high debt persists; policy shifting towards greener production.

Senegal

Scale: $32.81B

Economic takeaway: Services‑oriented West African economy with mining and agriculture exposure; cultivating offshore energy capabilities; deeply ingrained corruption.

Iraq

Scale: $279.64B

Economic takeaway: Hydrocarbon‑dependent economy exposed to price swings; import reliance in other areas persists along with corruption and underdeveloped banking and finance.

Norway

Scale: $483.59B

Economic takeaway: Resource‑rich Nordic economy anchored by energy exports and sovereign wealth; low unemployment persists as elevated inflation cools.

Group J

Argentina

Scale: $638.37B

Economic takeaway: Large economy centered on resources and exports; chronic inflation, debt stress, unreliable governance and shifting investor confidence weigh on stability.

Algeria

Scale: $269.32B

Economic takeaway: Energy‑reliant market experiencing prolonged weakness; political uncertainty, credit constraints and delayed reforms suppress diversification and domestic demand.

Austria

Scale: $534.79B

Economic takeaway: Major euro‑area economy with broad trade links; transition from Russian energy underway; ageing demographics and heavy public debt are headwinds.

Jordan

Scale: $53.35B

Economic takeaway: Import‑reliant economy supported by manufacturing growth and external aid; high debt, joblessness and declining tourism constrain activity.

Group K

Portugal

Scale: $313.27B

Economic takeaway: Services‑focused euro‑area economy with tourism and finance pillars; strong demand, EU‑backed investment and improving public finances support expansion.

DR Congo

Scale: $70.96B

Economic takeaway: Resource‑rich central African state; expanding extractives trade contrasts with weak public investment, rising debt burdens and extreme poverty.

Uzbekistan

Scale: $114.97B

Economic takeaway: Reforming Eurasian market exporting energy and cotton; efforts underway to curb state control, draw capital and modernise agriculture.

Colombia

Scale: $418.82B

Economic takeaway: Historically steady-growth economy stabilising after pandemic struggles; prudent inflation management contrasts with infrastructure gaps and limited global trade integration.

Group L

England

Scale: $3.69T (UK total)

Economic takeaway: Mature services‑heavy economy and finance power, experiencing weak growth amid tight monetary policy, thin investment and elevated government debt.

Croatia

Scale: $92.98B

Economic takeaway: Adriatic economy benefiting from tourism and EU funding, though growth is moderating; unemployment is low due to workforce shortfalls.

Ghana

Scale: $82.31B

Economic takeaway: Commodity‑exporting West African economy tackling challenges after long period of growth; IMF‑backed reforms stabilising prices and finances.

Panama

Scale: $86.52B

Economic takeaway: Service‑dominated economy anchored by the canal; logistics expansion and trade with China are positives; reputational risks remain around criminal finance and illicit activity.

Knockout rounds

Coming soon: Download the wall chart to make picks and help clients rethink their game plan.

Matchday insights

What’s happening on the pitch and what it means for your portfolios

January 13, 2026

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As a new year begins, CEO Ted Truscott shares his outlook on market opportunities and potential risks for investors.

November 20, 2025

2026 Fixed Income Outlook: Seizing opportunities in a rate-cutting cycle

Fixed-income investors face falling rates, tight spreads and a fragile labour market. The playbook requires locking in yield and managing duration, while staying vigilant on credit quality.

November 18, 2025

2026 Equity Outlook: Harnessing growth with a broad view

We maintain a constructive outlook for equities, with a broadening of opportunities for selective investment, backed by disciplined diversification.

June 2, 2026

Midyear Macro Outlook: Persistence, perception and the path ahead for markets

Markets remain strikingly resilient despite geopolitical strain, but how they absorb economic and technological uncertainty will shape the path ahead.

Important information

The analysis included on this website is for professional investors in EMEA APAC. This material should not be considered as an offer, solicitation, advice or an investment recommendation. This communication is valid at the date of publication and may be subject to change without notice. Any opinions expressed are made as at the date of publication but are subject to change without notice and should not be seen as investment advice. Information obtained from external sources is believed to be reliable but its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.

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Where the world's game meets the world's markets, turning global competition into global opportunity.