The Beautiful Game
Hailed as ‘the beautiful game’, association football or soccer has enthralled masses around the world for decades. The sport is played in more than two hundred countries by over two hundred and fifty million people, making it the most popular sport in the world. First played in 1863, the sport has evolved over the years, becoming a highly engaging game for people of all ages. Soccer’s inaugural Olympic season was held during the 1900 Summer Olympics in France. Internationally, the game is governed by the International Federation of Association Football or better known by its French abbreviation FIFA.
Soccer is a skill oriented team sport that continues to fascinate millions around the globe. Soccer players are renowned internationally, most of whom enjoy celebrity statuses. It is one of the most widely viewed sports in North America and continues to attract masses at purpose built stadiums and arenas. The sport is played at all levels in the US with teams for both men and women.
Federation Internationale de Football Association
Soccer’s highest governing body worldwide, FIFA, comprises of 209 national members. The organization governs beach soccer, futsal and association football around the world. Established in 1904, the organization is currently headquartered in Switzerland. It was formed in order to deal with the sport’s rising popularity around the world. Several nations began competing in international fixtures on regular basis. The organization was founded in Paris with initial member nations Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, France, Denmark and Belgium. FIFA organizes several international championships including the most prestigious ‘World Cup’.
Major Championships
Soccer’s most celebrated championship, the ‘World Cup’, is held every four years. The first ‘World Cup’ was held in 1930. Since then, the ‘Cup’ has been awarded nineteen times to eight different national teams. ‘FIFA World Cup’ matches are the most widely viewed sporting events around the world. The ‘2006 World Cup Final’ held in Germany, was estimated to be viewed by over 715 million people. The most recent ‘World Cup Championships’ are Spain, who won the ‘2012 World Cup’ held in South Africa.
Other international championships organized by FIFA include ‘UEFA’, ‘OFC’, ‘CONCACAF’, ‘CAF’ and ‘AFC Championship’. In North America, top tier soccer leagues such as Major League Soccer are highly popular amongst the fans. Major League Soccer comprises of nineteen teams from Canada and the US, who compete annually to win the postseason ‘MLS Cup’.
The Live Experience
Witnessing an adrenaline pumping soccer game live is always an exciting, edge of the seat experience for all sport fans. The agility and coordination of players on the field leaves the viewers in complete awe. This season, several soccer championship matches and regular season fixtures will be held in the US including the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, World Cup Qualification Rounds, NCAA Men’s College Cup and Canadian Championship. Other than that, several MLS clubs will go against each other in highly exciting matches including San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas, Toronto FC, Sporting Kansas City, New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact. Every year, countless Soccer tickets are bought by the avid fans as soon as they are available. So make sure to reserve your seats at the upcoming matches of your favorite soccer clubs for a memorable sporting experience.