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Soccer study shows immigrant talent drives success—on and off the field

New research in the journal Management Science demonstrates how immigrant talent drives success, both on the soccer field and beyond. The study reveals that European soccer teams with higher numbers of foreign-born players consistently perform better, winning more games and scoring more goals. But the impact of immigrant players goes deeper than individual talent. By introducing new playing styles and enhancing team coordination, immigrant players expand the strategic possibilities available to teams, ultimately improving their overall performance.

The study, "Does Employing Skilled Immigrants Enhance Competitive Performance? Evidence from European Football Clubs," leverages changes in regulations governing the number of foreign-born players teams can hire to establish a causal link between hiring immigrant players and improved team performance.

"The research demonstrates that the impact of hiring immigrants is not limited to their individual skills. Immigrants play a key role in improving the overall team dynamic. They help create more options for how a team can approach a game, which leads to better performance," says Britta Glennon, one of the authors of the study from the University of Pennsylvania. "This is a clear win for teams, and the native players also benefit from the expanded strategic variety that immigrants bring."

Francisco Morales of the Universidad de los Andes in Chile emphasizes the broader relevance of these findings: "The research proves hiring immigrants is a win for organizations, whether you're trying to win a soccer match or succeed in business. Immigrants don't just bring their own abilities—they help their teammates perform at a higher level as well."

This evidence suggests that the benefits of skilled immigrant talent are not limited to sports but extend to businesses and other organizations. By fostering innovation, collaboration and expanded strategic possibilities, immigrant talent enhances performance across a variety of fields.

"It shows that immigrants not only enhance organizational success through their own talents but also create positive effects that improve the performance of everyone they work with," concluded Seth Carnahan, a co-author from Washington University in St. Louis.

The findings have significant implications for policymakers and organizations alike, demonstrating the value of skilled immigrants in promoting competitiveness, collaboration and long-term success.