How Many Countries Play Soccer?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 08, 2023

According to FIFA estimates, more than 200 countries play the game of soccer. This equates to more than 240 million people playing the sport regularly. Due to the level of participation in the sport, soccer is considered by many to be the world’s most popular sport.

Scientific evidence shows that the sport of soccer dates back to China in second and third century B.C. During this time, those playing had a ball full of feathers. The first international soccer competition was in 1872, with Scotland and England playing against each other. The International Football Association Board formed in 1886 and the world’s first professional soccer league formed in 1888. This was in England and there were 12 soccer clubs.