ADSactly Sports: The World's game - The Real "Football"
If someone was to ask you what the most popular sport in the world is, what would you say? The question is not about your favourite sport but rather what you think is the most popular sport according to the majority of people who are sports fans. The answer to this question might differ depending on where you live or grew up. There have long been arguments about the answer to this question. For me, when this debate comes up in conversation with people I know, the argument is usually between hockey, football, basketball and baseball. This is because I live in North America. The reality is that these sports don’t even come close to being as popular as “The World’s” game. The first and only “football” in the opinions of so many. Soccer!
Statistically speaking there is no sport even remotely close to having the popularity worldwide that soccer does. In fact, the numbers associated with soccer's popularity are jaw-dropping. According to WorldAtlas.com in 2018, an estimated 4 billion people follow or express an interest in soccer. That is more than half the people on this entire planet.
Association football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in the world. It is estimated that more than half of the world's population consider themselves to be association football (soccer) fans. The sport enjoys an estimated 4.0 billion person following, and a global sphere of influence. Ancient soccer has been traced to China, as early as the 2nd Century. The Romans, Greeks, and Japanese have also been thought as possible first players of the sport. Contemporary soccer began in England, where it amassed considerable interest and spread to other parts of the world. The sport is more popular in Europe and Americas than in any other continent. The sport is characterized by two teams of eleven player and two goals. The objective of the sport is to drive a ball into the goal defended by the opponent team.
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Soccer has roots that go as far back if not further than most sports and is a game that is beloved all over the world. Many sports claim to be the most popular in specific areas. For example, Hockey would be the most popular sport in Canada and in the United States, there is always the debate about baseball and football being the most popular. However, these sports can’t even hold a candle to the global popularity of soccer. Not only is soccer the most popular sport in the world, it is gaining in popularity all the time. In the past decade, the growth of popularity in North America has been significant. More and more soccer programs are popping up and more young “elite” athletes are choosing soccer over sports like football and baseball.
Not only has soccer gained a huge following, its fanbase is one of the most passionate groups in sports. The passion towards the sport is evident during events such as the World Cup and Euro Cup. Fans are extremely knowledgeable about the game and its players. There is a sense of history to the game that has created a solid foundation for the sport. Fans are not only passionate but they are also very loyal. They cheer their favourite players and teams with an undying love that is second to none. Elite players in soccer are elevated to god-like status and not only with their home teams or countries but around the world. You don’t have to be a soccer fan to know the names Beckham, Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimović. These have become almost household names to even the most casual sports fans. Soccer is truly at the forefront of sports.
Soccer has become a huge industry raking in billions of dollars annually. It is now more televised than ever and its media exposure is growing all the time. Several soccer teams are considered to be the most valuable sports teams in the world with values of some franchises exceeding $3 billion.
Soccer is the biggest global sport and a top 10 sport in all countries measured, as well as the dominant sport in South America, Europe and Africa. The world cup final is watched by an estimated 600 million people and the annual CL final by more than 300 million. More than 200 countries take part in the world cup qualifying. Has 5 of 10 world's highest attended leagues and stars Messi and Ronaldo in top 10 paid sportsmen.
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So how has soccer gained so much notoriety? What makes it the sport of choice for so many? I decided I needed to look into why more than half the world seems to have this connection with Soccer.
Accessibility and Simplicity
Soccer is a sport that is easily accessible to anyone. It doesn’t require a great deal of equipment or extras to play. All you need is a ball and space. Many sports require a special equipment or supplies in order to be able to play properly. You see images all the time of kids from all over the world playing soccer wherever they can find a space. It doesn’t need to be on a soccer field with nets. It can literally be anywhere. Here at my school, there will be kids playing on the pavement and shooting against the net the made with backpacks against the wall. In fact, in many cases, you don't need a net at all. The game is converted to keep away and passing skills. Soccer is so accessible that you can even play it without a ball. The passion for the sport leads kids to find any way possible to play. Check out this video of kids playing soccer in Cameroon. Children’s passion for soccer surpasses any obstacles. As you can see, an empty plastic bottle becomes a full-on soccer game.
In North America, more and more kids are getting involved in soccer at a young age. The cost to play sports like football and hockey and many others can be very expensive while it is relatively affordable to play soccer.
The simplicity of soccer makes it a sport that anyone can play without lots of extra skills or training. In its purest form soccer is passing and kicking a ball around and trying to put it in a net. Although there are some intricate rules that must be followed as you advance in the competitive levels, soccer at its roots is a simple sport for all to play. It can be played from a very young age. Hockey is a sport that requires the ability to skate in order to play the game well or effectively. Anyone can kick and pass a ball making the entry into the sport of soccer easier at any age.
A Year Round Global Phenomenon
There are a tremendous number of professional soccer leagues all over the world for fans to enjoy. There have been many debates about what the best domestic leagues in the world are. Debates that can get heated as passionate fans list off all the reasons why their favourite league is the best. The reality is they are all extremely good leagues. Each league features some of the best players and teams in the world. Some of the top leagues in the world include:
| League | Country |
|---|---|
| La Liga | Spain |
| The Premier League | England |
| Serie A | Italy |
| Ligue 1 | France |
| Bundesliga | Germany |
Now, this is just the beginning of the excitement when it comes to soccer. Not only do teams in these leagues play a highly competitive season against each other, they also compete for the opportunity to play against the top teams from other leagues in high profile “elite” leagues such as the UEFA Champions League and the Eurpoa League. Th Champions League is a group style tournament where the best teams from Europe compete for recognition as the best of the best. Big time money and bragging rights are on the line in this best on best competition.
The UEFA Champions League is an annual continental club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and the most prestigious club competition in European football, played by the national league champions (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of the strongest UEFA national associations. The UEFA Champions League final is the most watched annual sporting event worldwide. The final of the 2012–13 tournament had the highest TV ratings to date, drawing 360 million television viewers
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For the casual fan like myself it can get a little bit confusing at times but for the avid soccer fan, they know all the ins and outs of every league and potential title. For this reason, soccer has become a sport that is very much a year-round event. Where many sports have dedicated seasons and breaks, soccer leagues flow into each other and therefore fans have access to their favourite players and teams almost all year.
The World Cup of Soccer
Then there is the FIFA World Cup and the European Cup where the focus shifts from leagues and club teams to National teams. The World Cup is played every 4 years and is for the right to call your nation the best soccer nation in the world. It is one of the most highly watched events in the world. From qualifying matches to the announcement of the draw for the group stages and the tournament play itself, fans can't get enough. The TV ratings for the group announcement are huge as fans are eager to see who their country will play in the group stage and the viewership for the World Cup itself exceeds 3 billion viewers.
More than one billion fans tuned in to watch the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, with the competition reaching a global in-home television audience of 3.2 billion people, according to final figures from FIFA and Kantar Media.
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The most interesting part of the World Cup might be the road to qualification. These qualification games are taking place all throughout the year in different parts of the world. Some teams automatically qualify based on past performance but many teams have to fight and scrap their way through four years to secure one of the final spots. Once there, anything can happen. If you think the fans are passionate about their favourite club teams, just take one look at a World Cup match and you will see sports passion personified.
The size and scope of the soccer industry are only just getting ramped up. This industry is growing rapidly as North America starts to become more enamoured and engaged with the sport. The MLS league has started to see its popularity grow and they have even attracted some well known European players to come and play. The US has seen some moderate success in international soccer which has created more interest for young athletes and as this interest grows the industry will continue to boom. I can’t say that I am an avid fan of soccer but I do enjoy watching the occasional match and I am all in when it comes to the World Cup, even if Canada never qualifies.
I have only touched the tip of the iceberg on what makes soccer so popular. I am sure you could list off several more things that I have not noted. I do apologize to any who I have offended by using the term “soccer” throughout this article. It just helped to keep things clear for all.
Are you a passionate soccer fan? What makes you love soccer so much? Do you have a favourite soccer team or league or championship? I look forward to hearing your stories.
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