The Beautiful Game: A Guide to the World’s Biggest Soccer Nations

Soccer is one of the world's most loved sports. It is widely played in many European and South American countries, although a good number of countries beyond this also play the sport. As such, the FIFA World Cup is among the top sporting events. These are a few of the countries where soccer is most popular.

Brazil

Brazilian soccer has a great history. This is in no small part due to the success of the Brazilian national team, which has played in all the FIFA World Cups and won a record five of them. Brazil has had many of the great soccer players, such as Pele, Romário, Neymar, Ronaldo, and Zico, who have delighted the Brazilian fans. Therefore, Brazilian soccer coaching is among the best in the sport, and many of Brazil's finest players play for top European clubs. Whenever the FIFA World Cup is on, Brazil is usually among the favorites, and their teams are renowned for their great soccer, flair, and flamboyance. As such, soccer is quite possibly Brazil's national sport, even if its national league is not among the best leagues.

England

England is the home of football, and was the first country to establish a cup and the football league. Thanks to the FA, which laid the foundations for the game in the 19th century, English soccer has a long history, and the British colonists helped spread the game to other countries of the former British Empire. Their national league, the Premier League, is one of Europe's best leagues, and many foreign players play in it. As such, their best teams are among the top club sides in Europe, with famous clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United.

At the national level, England has not quite been able to match their club teams, but at any rate, they won the World Cup in 1966, which is regarded as one of the great moments in English sports history. Overall, England has some of the best football stadiums in Europe, and a great national league, which has many fans in England and beyond. Soccer is a part of England's culture.

Italy

The Italians have a great passion for soccer. At both club and national level, their soccer teams have generally been among the best in Europe, and Italy has won the World Cup four times, which is more than any other European team. Serie A is one of Europe's top leagues with top club sides such as Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus, who have all won the European Cup or Champions League. Therefore, soccer is one of Italy's favorite sports.

Germany

You just cannot beat the Germans at soccer, any German soccer fan will say to an England supporter. Or alternatively, Germany 4-1 if ever further proof was needed! The German soccer team has a great record in the FIFA World Cup, having won it four times and reached numerous finals, and so it is a sport in which Germany has excelled.

As such, the success of the German national team has ensured a big following for soccer in Germany. Domestically, the Bundesliga has not quite been able to match the likes of La Liga and the Premier League, but clubs such as Bayern Munich and Dortmund have been a match for the best teams in Europe and won a number of European Cups.

Spain

Spain has always had a great national soccer league. La Liga is well established as one of Europe's top leagues, with many of the world's best players. The league has some famous clubs, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, which have won many European Cups between them.

As such, the Spanish have always loved the sport, although their national team has not always lived up to expectations. However, this has since changed after Spain won Euro 2008 and then the following FIFA World Cup to become world champions. As such, the success of the Spanish team has ensured a Spanish soccer boom, and few will doubt that Spanish soccer is currently the best in the world.

So, these are a few countries where soccer has many fans. Brazil, Italy, England, Spain, and Germany are countries that have great soccer histories, national leagues, and teams.