Soccer is played or watched in almost all countries in the world. But many of us do not know why Soccer is so popular.
Unlike what you may have read elsewhere, you’ll get a pointed, straight-to-the-point reason why Soccer is so popular.
How popular is soccer?
According to Topendsports, there are about 3.5 billion soccer fans around the world.
The next most popular sport, Cricket, is about 1 billion fans shy of Soccer’s.
To further help you understand how popular Soccer is, consider this fact:
About 44.9% of the World’s population loves Soccer. That’s huge.
That means 1 in every 2.2 people around the world must love Soccer.
In addition, Statista reported that according to FIFA, the average live TV audience for the 64 matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia was 191 million.
That’s significantly more than estimates for the Super Bowl’s TV viewership, which was just short of 100 million in the U.S. this year plus an estimated 30 to 50 million across the globe.
One can only imagine how much viewership FIFA would report for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Bearing all these in mind, you may wonder why Soccer is so popular.
The major reasons why Soccer is so popular
The major reason why Soccer is so popular is because of its simplicity and accessibility.
Almost anyone could play Soccer even with their barefoot. It’s as simple as kicking a round object around.
In addition, all you need is an open space anywhere; the roadside, beach, in between two walls, abandoned car park, or an open field.
The simplicity of Soccer makes it easy for anyone to play, hence the natural love for the beautiful game.
On the other hand, the accessibility of Soccer is also a reason why the sport is so popular.
Unlike other sports, Soccer has no barrier to entry.
For example, to play Tennis, you need a racquet and a net. To play Golf, you need a set of clubs and a Golf course. For Basketball, you need a hoop.
All of these are barriers.
A first-time Soccer player can play and enjoy the game with little explanation of the rules.
Also, in professional Soccer, there is room for anyone to play the game whether you are 6.6 feet tall or just 5.5. The different skillset of players required on the pitch makes Soccer one of the most accommodating sports in the world.
Final Thought
In a nutshell, why is Soccer so popular? The straightforward answer is that Soccer is so simple to play and it is easily accessible to almost anyone.
In addition, Soccer, unlike other sports accommodates different profiles, stature, or skillset of players.
If case you need further clarification on why soccer is so popular, watch the video below.
If you enjoyed this article, you should also find out how the Offside trap works in football, what counterattack is all about, and the tactical insight into the 4-4-2 formation.
Further Reading:
- How FIFA Ranks Countries Monthly
- How Many Football Countries Are In The World?
- What Are The Best Foods For Soccer Players To Eat?
- How Soccer Leagues Work
- How the Man Of The Match Award is Given
