Later today, France plays Morocco in the world cup quarter finals. France has consistently had a much higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Later, Colombia plays Switzerland in the world cup. Switzerland has consistently had a higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Argentina has just begun playing Egypt in the World Cup. Despite its recent decline, Argentina maintains a much higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Later, Belgium plays the USA in the world cup. Since 2016, Belgium has scored higher in V-Dem's electoral democracy index than the USA, making it the more democratic country.

Portugal is currently playing Spain in the world cup. Both countries have followed very similar trajectories in V-Dem's democracy index, and currently have identical ratings.

Later today, England plays Mexico in the World Cup. The United Kingdom has consistently had a higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country - though both ratings have declined in recent years.

Later today, Brazil plays Norway in the World Cup. Norway has consistently had a higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Soon, France will play Paraguay in the World Cup. France has consistently received higher scores in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Canada is currently playing Morocco in the World Cup. Canada has consistently received much higher scores in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Later, Algeria will be playing Switzerland in the World Cup. Algeria - which is holding a legislative election today - scores far below Switzerland in V-Dem's electoral democracy index.

Later today, Portugal will play Croatia in the World Cup. Portugal has consistently scored higher in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Spain will shortly be playing Austria in the World Cup. Both countries score highly in V-Dem's electoral democracy index. However, in recent years, Spain has dipped slightly below Austria, making Austria the more democratic country.

Later today, the United States plays Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup knockouts. The United States consistently scores higher in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Later today, Belgium plays Senegal in the World Cup. Belgium has consistently scored higher in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

England is currently playing the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup knock-outs. England - via the United Kingdom - has consistently scored higher in V-Dem's electoral democracy index.

Today, Mexico plays Ecuador in the World Cup. Mexico's late twentieth century democratisation allowed it to pull ahead of Ecuador in V-Dem's electoral democracy index. However, Mexico's score has recently seen a decline, leading Ecuador to once again become the more democratic country.

Today, France plays Sweden in the World Cup. Both countries score highly in V-Dem's electoral democracy index, but Sweden has consistently scored the slightly more democratic country.

Later today, Norway plays Côte d'Ivoire in the World Cup. Norway has consistently had a much higher score in the V-Dem electoral democracy index, making it the more democratic country.

Later today, German plays Paraguay in the World Cup. Germany has consistently had a higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index.

Later today, the Netherlands play Morocco in the World Cup. The Netherlands have consistently had a higher rating in V-Dem's electoral democracy index.

Later today, Brazil and Japan play each other in the World Cup. From its democratisation in the 1990s, Brazil held a slight advantage over Japan in V-Dem's Electoral Democracy Index. However, since the 2010s, Brazil's declining score has allowed Japan to retake the lead.

Today's World Cup match sees Canada play South Africa. In the V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index, Canada is rated as the more democratic country.

Montenegro's democracy ratings have improved slightly in the past decade, following the country's first democratic transfers of power since independence.

Kiribati's has consistently achieved a high score in the Freedom House Freedom in the World index, although it has fallen slightly in the past few years. No other index provides a democracy rating for the country.

Global democracy reports place Cyprus in the mid-to-high range of global democracies, although there has been a slight decline in its democracy ratings in recent years.

The only democracy report to include Palau is the Freedom House Freedom in the World series, which has consistently given the country the high score of 92 since 2006.

Recent political instability in Peru has coincided with a fall in the country's democracy ratings. However, the past year has seen a slight recovery.

Democracy reports show Mauritania's democratic ratings stabilising after a turbulent decade in the 2000s, when there were multiple coups. However, recent gains made under two decades of civilian rule have begun to slightly erode.

Angola's scores in democracy reports are low, although they have generally slightly improved over the past decade.

Ukraine's ratings in democracy indices have fallen since 2022, when martial law was imposed in response to Russia's invasion. Each index now has Ukrainian democracy at or close to a 20-year low.

Since independence in 2011, South Sudan has become one of the world's lowest ranking countries in global democracy reports - currently scoring very similarly to Sudan.

The average global score across the three major democracy indices has fallen over the past 20 years, as the strength of democracy around the world has weakened.