Soccer, also known as football, is a sport that is played and loved by millions and millions of people around the world. The Library of Congress states that roughly 240 million people only play soccer, and that is excluding people that only watch it. It has become the most popular sport globally due to its unique features.

Soccer is a sport that promotes physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. According to a study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, soccer players have a higher level of aerobic fitness and lower body fat percentage than people who do not play soccer. This is because soccer requires constant running and sprinting, which improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and burns calories. Furthermore, soccer players have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

This sport promotes teamwork and communication. According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, soccer players develop essential communication skills such as listening, speaking, and non-verbal communication through team interaction. In addition to that, soccer players learn how to work collaboratively to achieve a common goal, which is critical in both personal and professional life.

Soccer fosters cultural understanding and diversity. According to a study published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, soccer can unite people from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. Soccer has become a platform for promoting cultural diversity and understanding, as it allows people to connect and learn from each other’s differences. The World Cup, the biggest soccer tournament, has become a symbol of unity and cooperation among nations. According to The Athletic, the World Cup generated about 1.5 billion this year for their final game, which was higher than 2018’s 1.12 billion viewers. 

This world wide sport also provides entertainment and excitement. According to a study published in the Journal of Sport Behavior, soccer is perceived as the most exciting sport due to its unpredictable nature. The tension and excitement in soccer matches bring people together and create a sense of community and belonging throught the entire world, where football only creates a community throught the U.S.

While soccer is a sport loved by millions, there are several reasons why some people may not enjoy it. Firstly, some people may find soccer to be slow-paced, with not enough action or scoring opportunities. People call it the most exciting sport because anything could happen at any point that could completely change the flow of the game. The sport can also be difficult to understand for people who are not familiar with its rules and strategies. For example many people do not know the offside rule where your team cannot have a single player behind the last player on the opposing team, excluding the keeper.  Due to the fact that soccer games can be so exciting and people are so passionate about the sport, soccer games can sometimes end in ties like football, which may be frustrating for those who want a clear winner. The sport can also be very physically demanding, and some people may find it tiring to play or watch for extended periods. Lastly, soccer can be seen as less entertaining than other sports, such as basketball or American football, which have more frequent and high-scoring plays.