Globalization- FIFA World Cup

Globalization of soccer 

Soccer or football is the most popular sport in the world and also one of the most watched sport in the world. Soccer was invented in London in the early 1800's. By 1900 the sport had gained popularity all over the world and national football associations were being founded. FIFA president Jules Rimet decided to establish and international football tournament. This international tournament was named the FIFA World Cup. The very first FIFA World Cup was played in 1930. It was held in Uruguay. Only 13 teams participated in the first ever World Cup. The host went on to win 4-2 against another South American team Argentina. The fewest number of fans to watch a World Cup soccer game was 

The 300 in Uruguay in 1930. Not everyone could afford to go to the World Cup or there just wasn't a way to watch it without being there.Football w as first screened live on television in the UK in 1937, by the BBC, who broadcast a specially arranged friendly between Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves at Highbury. In 1938, international football and the FA Cup final were shown live for the first time, with the BBC providing live coverage of England v Scotland and Huddersfield Town vs Preston North End match. Although soccer started being televised in 1937 the FIFA World Cup was first on T.V. in 1945. It is now the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world, exceeding the Olympic Games. As television got more popular and common in homes the sport kept on growing and more and more people tuned into it. In modern day over one billion fans watch the World Cup on television every four years. It exceeds by a lot the number of people that watch the

Super Bowl each year. A majority of new viewers are also American. Over 26 million Americans watched the 2014 World Cup final. Not only has globalization helped the World Cup reach more people that ever but it has also boosted the popularity of the sport in the United States. I see more and more people in school wearing soccer jerseys. This is surely an effect of globalization. Thanks to new technology and globalization I can sit back in my living room and watch the same soccer match as somebody in India or Taiwan. 

Sources;
http://thebiglead.com/2014/07/14/2014-world-cup-final-rating-over-26-million-americans-watched-on-tv/
http://www.live-footballontv.com/history-of-football-on-tv-uk.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup