The UN General Assembly has declared May 25 as World Football Day to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament. The resolution highlights football’s global impact on commerce, peace, and diplomacy. Football is recognized as the “global game” with billions engaged in its events, notably the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League Final, showcasing its universal appeal and potential for growth.
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament, the UN General Assembly has designated May 25 as World Football Day. This resolution, adopted on May 7, 2024, highlights football’s global significance and its transformative influence across various sectors, including commerce, peace, and diplomacy, while emphasizing its role in promoting cooperation and humanitarian initiatives worldwide.
Football, commonly known as soccer, is widely regarded as the “global game” due to its extensive following and participation across the globe. Major events such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League Final rank among the largest sporting spectacles worldwide, rivaled only by the Olympics. The last FIFA World Cup, held in Qatar in 2022, saw the engagement of approximately 5 billion people, with the final attracting 1.5 billion viewers.
In comparison, the UEFA Champions League Final reached an estimated 450 million viewers globally, overshadowing the Super Bowl, which had around 200 million viewers. This substantial audience demonstrates football’s unparalleled appeal and reach. Insights from Statista Consumer Insights illustrate the geographical distribution of football interest, indicating strong popularity in Europe and Latin America while identifying potential growth markets in North America, Asia, and Oceania.
Original Source: www.statista.com
