Soccer is one of the world’s oldest sports, yet it continues to grow. In some countries, the game takes a back seat to other events, even if it is the most popular pastime on a global scale.
Tens of thousands of spectators attend the big matches in person, while many millions more tune in to live TV broadcasts. Included in the growth areas is the United States, whose example is being followed by other nations.
Timeline in the USA
American football has traditionally been the national sport in the US, and the NFL is the biggest division. Soccer has fewer followers, but it continues to develop.
In the 1970s, the North Atlantic Soccer League briefly attracted some of the big names in the sport. However, interest slumped, and soccer failed to gain a proper foothold.
In 1994, the landscape changed on a more consistent basis when the USA hosted the FIFA World Cup. To back the competition, the governing body required the country to establish a topflight league, and this is where Major League Soccer was born.
In just under 30 years, MLS has become one of the most important leagues in world football. Many top stars have played here, and the competition received a significant boost in 2023 when the great Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami.
Fans in the US can attend MLS games throughout the season, while the live TV broadcasts and highlights packages are more accessible now. To supplement their enjoyment of the game, some supporters also like to get involved with the many online betting markets that are now available.
It’s very much a growth sport here, but the USA isn’t the only country where soccer is on the rise.
Saudi Arabia
The United States may have Lionel Messi, but Saudi Arabian football can boast his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Having fallen out with his former club, Manchester United, the Portuguese international left Old Trafford at the start of 2023 and joined Saudi side Al Nassr.
This was a huge boost for football in the country, and many other top names have followed CR7’s lead. Neymar now plays for Al Hilal, while other major deals have seen Riyad Mahrez, Jordan Henderson, Karim Benzema, Fabinho and Sadio Mane cross to Saudi Arabian clubs.
The Saudi Pro League has been in place since 1976, but the arrival of these big-name stars means that soccer has really started to take off in the last 12 months.
Canada
Just over the border from the United States, soccer is also a growth spurt in Canada. The country will jointly host the 2026 World Cup, along with the US and Mexico, and that will enhance soccer’s profile right across the country.
Canada qualified for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and they showcased many of their top stars. Unfortunately for supporters of domestic clubs, the biggest names are playing overseas. That list includes Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich, Jonathan David of Lille and Cyle Larin of Mallorca.
The 2026 World Cup will raise further interest in the game, but the Canadian league needs to be stronger if clubs want to keep their best players.
India
Cricket is India’s national sport, and soccer clubs struggle to attract the same level of interest. The Indian Premier League is the biggest tournament of its kind in the world, but there is a football competition attracting players from overseas.
The Indian Super League was established in 2013, and it features the best of India’s local talent, along with a selection of top footballers from abroad. While the ISL still struggles to compete with competitions in other sports, it has a good following and soccer is very much a growth sport here.
Australia
Australia is another country where an alternative national sport takes precedence. Australian Rules Football is more popular, although soccer continues to develop here.
Since Australia qualified for the 1974 World Cup in Germany, interest has developed and, with Australia co-hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2023, the game is growing Down Under.
Qatar
The Qatar Football Association was set up in 1960, but the country struggled to advance the game in their first fifty years. That all changed when Qatar was awarded the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and the sport now has a whole new fanbase.
Unlike teams in Saudi Arabia, domestic Qatari clubs have yet to attract some of the biggest names in the sport. However, the finances are in place to pay major salaries and transfer fees, and soccer should continue to thrive here in the future.
While soccer is already established as the world’s favourite sport, there are places in the world where it is less popular. Within those countries, there are alternative national sports, and soccer is lagging behind.
However, the game continues to grow, and we will see these, and more countries continue to emerge in the years to come.
