Out of the thousands of different sports played around the world, evidence seems to point to football (or soccer, as it’s known in some other countrie
Out of the thousands of different sports played around the world, evidence seems to point to football (or soccer, as it’s known in some other countries) as the most popular. There are an estimated 3.5 billion football fans around the globe. So, why has this game become so universally favoured?
Affordable and versatile
One of the reasons football has become so popular is its convenience. Football is a very affordable sport to play. The only cost associated with a casual game of football with peers is the price of the football itself, and these are not expensive to buy. It’s not unheard of for a makeshift football to be created using other materials that can be found lying about.
Not only is football a game that people with any budget can play, it’s also highly versatile and can be played in all weathers. Come rain or shine, determined players can make the best of almost anything the elements throw at them.
And if cold or wet outdoor conditions don’t seem particularly inviting, football can be played indoors too, provided the space is large enough.
People of all abilities are welcome
Football is played so widely that it doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner; you’re bound to find a setting where you can join in.
Unlike many other sports, such as rugby or basketball, a player’s body size doesn’t have much of an impact on their performance. Physical fitness is of course helpful, but strength and height don’t have much of a bearing.
Following a professional team as a fan is also a great way to bring people from all walks of life together.
A competitive spirit
Football is the ideal game for channelling your competitive side, and it makes the game even more fun to play (or watch).
Football’s competitiveness keeps the game alive. Teams can be formed based on regional and national identities. There are plenty of active football leagues across the globe.
Equally, the game’s popularity helps to keep the competitive spirit going. The high number of professional players out there means that it’s always possible to source players for a team.
Easy rules to understand
Another thing that makes football an easy game for people to get on board with is the simplicity of the rules. The basic rules of football are straightforward, unlike many other sports. Once you know the basic premise of football, the only other concepts that you need to grasp are off-side, penalty shoot-outs and red and yellow cards.
The modern version of football can be traced back to 19th Century England, but the general concept behind the sport is over 2,000 years old. It seems that there has been plenty of time to iron out and simplify the rules of the game!
A simple sport that’s accessible to people of any ability, build or gender, it’s easy to see why football looks like it will enjoy many more years of being the most popular sport in the world.
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