Soccer (or football as many countries around the world call it) is widely regarded as the ‘World’s game’, meaning that it truly is one of the few sports that is played in every corner of the globe.
Almost every country on the planet has some form of soccer pyramid and as such there are teams found across these nations, whether they are professional or amateur.
At some point, all Soccer fans will have found themselves wondering just how many soccer teams are there in the world? Today we will be attempting to answer this question and more, let’s get right into it.
There are approximately 1 million soccer teams in the world. 3903 of them are professional teams and the other teams play at an amateur level.
How Many Professional Teams Are There?
Of the two questions that we are asking today, this is the one that is much easier to officially measure and therefore answer. The reason for this is that every professional club in existence has to register with its respective country’s governing body (in England it is known as the Football Association, for example).
The governing body then passes on these statistics to the global governing body of soccer, known as FIFA. The most recent measure of these numbers took place before the pandemic, and as such, they may not be fully up to date as some smaller teams in less developed nations may have ceased to exist in the years following.
According to FIFA, there are currently 3,903 professional Soccer teams in the world. These teams operate in 201 different countries, each within an officially recognized soccer league that must contain at least two or more teams.
It may surprise you that England does not actually have the most soccer teams, as some may have been led to believe. The current holders of this record are Mexico, our Southern neighbors are obsessed with soccer and have 266 professional teams currently registered with the national governing body (England is in 4th with 111 teams).
How Many Amateur Teams Are There?
As we mentioned earlier, this is a much tougher question to answer with any certainty, so we will be looking at one country that can provide concrete numbers and using those as a base of reference. As many may expect, that country is England, and the clubs are registered with the Football Association.
Currently, it is believed that in England alone there are 37,500 amateur soccer teams that are operating across the country at the adult level. As many of you may be aware, the soccer pyramid in England is the oldest and most elaborate in the world.
Many clubs outside of the top four divisions of English soccer are not professional (either semi-professional or amateur) and therefore fall into this category. The beauty of this is that many can still compete in competitions such as the FA Cup, for those even lower than the threshold for FA Cup entry there are around 2,000 other competitions they can enter instead.
Aside from adult Soccer, there are 9,000 youth clubs in England that also operate on a similar level and can arguably be considered amateur Soccer teams. As such this means that there are almost 50,000 amateur clubs in England.
If we apply for this number and scale it to each of the 209 FIFA member states, then it can be predicted that there are at least 1,000,000 amateur soccer teams currently in action around the world. This is far from an official statistic though; in reality, the number could be much higher.
Growth of Soccer Teams in Europe: A Historic Overview
Europe has always been at the forefront of soccer, with its origins deeply rooted in the continent’s history. The first official rules of the game were formulated in England in the mid-19th century.
- The First Football Clubs: The world’s oldest football clubs emerged in England during the 1850s and 1860s. Teams like Sheffield FC (founded in 1857) marked the beginning of the sport’s formalization.
- The Establishment of Leagues: By the end of the 19th century, domestic leagues began to form across Europe, most notably the English Football League in 1888.
- Champions League Emergence: Initially known as the European Cup, this continental competition was introduced in the 1955-56 season and has become one of the most prestigious tournaments worldwide.
- Expanding Landscape: From the inception of soccer, Europe now hosts thousands of clubs across its nations, with countries like Spain, Italy, and Germany boasting some of the strongest leagues in the world.
The Rise of Asian Soccer Teams: A New Player in the Field
Asia’s evolution in the soccer scene is nothing short of remarkable.
- Japanese J-League: Founded in 1993, it has been a driving force behind the sport’s popularity in Asia. Clubs like Urawa Red Diamonds and Kashima Antlers have showcased Asian footballing prowess.
- AFC Champions League: This tournament is a testament to the growing strength of Asian clubs, with teams from countries like South Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia regularly competing.
- Investment in Talent: Many Asian clubs are now investing in international talents, which has elevated the overall quality and competitiveness of their leagues.
North America and Soccer: The Increasing Popularity
While soccer might not be the most popular sport in North America, its rise is evident.
- MLS: Founded in 1993, the Major League Soccer has witnessed exponential growth. From its original 10 teams, it now boasts over 25, with more set to join.
- Concacaf Champions League: Clubs from the USA and Mexico, in particular, have shown their dominance.
- Infrastructure and Investment: With soccer-specific stadiums now a norm and significant investments, the future for soccer in North America looks brighter than ever.
South American Soccer Teams: A Legacy of Passion and Skill
South America has been a bedrock for soccer, producing world-class talents and legendary teams.
- Historical Clubs: Clubs like Boca Juniors, Flamengo, and River Plate have not only dominated domestically but have also made their mark internationally.
- Copa Libertadores: The pinnacle of club soccer in South America. It’s a fierce competition with teams from Brazil, Argentina, and other nations battling it out.
- Production Line of Talent: South America has been the birthplace of many soccer legends, with countries like Brazil and Argentina consistently producing top talents who ply their trade in Europe.
African Soccer Teams: A Continent with Untapped Potential
Soccer in Africa has a rich history and offers a pool of raw talent.
- African Clubs: Teams like Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, and Esperance have dominated the African club scene and have a massive following.
- CAF Champions League: This tournament provides a platform for the best African clubs to showcase their talents.
- Emergence of Talent: Many African players have made their mark in European leagues, and their roots can often be traced back to local African clubs.
Oceania’s Contribution to Global Soccer: Small but Significant
Though smaller in comparison, Oceania has made its mark in the soccer world.
- Oceania Football Confederation (OFC): It comprises 14 member nations, with teams like New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix playing in Australia’s A-League.
- Development Initiatives: Efforts have been made to promote soccer, especially among the youth, in these countries.
- World Cup Participation: Though limited, teams from Oceania have participated in FIFA World Cup tournaments, making their presence felt on the global stage.
What About National Teams?
Whilst we have been discussing Soccer teams (or clubs) thus far, we must not forget that each of the 209 FIFA member states has a national Soccer team that can also be counted towards the final figure in this piece.
These member states play their matches against other countries in order to earn both national pride and international trophies such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and of course, the FIFA World Cup, each of these 209 teams could, in theory, win the World Cup one day.
There are also youth setups within these countries to think about (as there are within clubs), but for the sake of this piece, we will regard them as one team.
What About Women’s Soccer?
Women’s Soccer has been growing exponentially in the past few years, with both the US and England having extremely popular domestic league structures for Women. The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) was founded in 2012 and currently contains 12 teams, over in England their WSL also has 12 teams competing within it.
It is fair to say that there are fewer Women’s teams than there are men’s at the moment, but there are certainly a healthy amount of professional teams operating. There are also likely to be thousands of amateur teams too.
To summarise, there is no real way of measuring how many Soccer teams there are in the world at the moment. Professional teams are much easier to measure and as such we now know how many there are in the world right now, though this number may have fluctuated slightly over the Pandemic years.
If I were to have an educated guess at how many teams there are in the world as I am writing this piece, I would say that there are easily 10 Million and in all honesty, this could be much lower than the actual figure.
Perhaps one day there will be a way of finding out a definitive answer to this age-old question, but for now, we are all going to have to keep wondering how many Soccer teams there are in the world.
The Economic Impact of Soccer Teams Worldwide
The influence of top soccer clubs, World Cup events, and national leagues reaches far beyond the stadiums and touches the economies of nations.
The Financial Might of Club Soccer
Top-tier football clubs are not just sports entities; they are global brands. Clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain generate revenue streams from several channels:
World Cup Phenomenon
Every four years, the FIFA World Cup sweeps across the globe, and its economic impact is felt in the host nation and beyond. Historically, countries hosting the World Cup see a boost in tourism, infrastructure development, and job creation.
- Tourism and hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions benefit immensely.
- Infrastructure development: Stadiums, transport networks, and public facilities often get upgraded.
- Job creation: Directly and indirectly, many sectors experience an employment surge during this period.
The Ripple Effect in Local Economies
It’s important to appreciate the impact of soccer on local economies. While big clubs and World Cup events grab headlines, smaller clubs and leagues play a crucial role too.
- Smaller clubs often act as the backbone of local communities.
- The presence of a club can boost local businesses and provide employment.
- Youth academies linked with these clubs offer pathways to professional careers for youngsters.
Socio-economic Contributions
Soccer is not just about the money; it’s about societal impact. Initiatives by clubs and governing bodies often include:
- Community development: Many clubs run community outreach programs, investing in education, health, and welfare.
- Promotion of inclusivity: Soccer has a unique power to bring people together, transcending race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Environmental responsibility: Some clubs are taking initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
The Numbers Behind the Game
To truly appreciate the economic influence of soccer, let’s dive into some numbers.
Top Soccer Clubs by Revenue
| Club | Revenue (in million $) | Main Sources of Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 790 | Broadcasting, Sponsorship, Merchandising |
| Real Madrid | 784 | Broadcasting, Sponsorship, Merchandising |
| Barcelona | 761 | Broadcasting, Sponsorship, Merchandising |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 715 | Broadcasting, Sponsorship, Merchandising |
(2022 Data)
Economic Impact of Recent FIFA World Cups
| Host Nation | Year | Total Economic Benefit (in billion $) | Key Beneficiary Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quatar | 2022 | 20 | Tourism, Construction, Cultural Promotion |
| Russia | 2018 | 15 | Tourism, Construction, Retail |
| Brazil | 2014 | 13 | Tourism, Construction, Services |
