Top Countries Where Football (Soccer) Is Popular (Excluding the US)

In 2024, it’s undeniable that football has become the most popular sport in the United States. So much so that outside of North America, it’s known as American football. This distinction not only separates it from association football (soccer) but also highlights its deep connection to the U.S.

Historically, the sport was primarily popular in the U.S. and Canada. However, over the past few years, American football has been gaining traction worldwide. More countries are embracing the game, and its presence on sportsbooks has seen a global rise.

This article explores countries (excluding the U.S.) where American football has gained popularity. Some may be expected, while others may surprise you. Let’s dive in.

Canada

As one of the obvious choices, Canada shares much of its sports culture with the U.S., making it no surprise that Canadians are passionate about football. Canadian players have long participated in the NFL, with over 20 players from Canada taking part in the most recent season. Additionally, the Canadian Football League (CFL) stands as the second-largest football league globally. Though it operates with some different rules, the game is essentially the same. Thus, Canada remains one of the top countries where football is beloved. Football fans can bet on both the NFL and CFL, with Canadian and French Canadian bookmakers offering odds.

Great Britain

In the last decade, the NFL has seen increasing popularity in England and Scotland. The NFL International Series, launched in 2007, aimed to expand the sport’s global appeal. While its success has varied, the initiative helped establish a solid fanbase in Great Britain. This series sees NFL games played across Europe, including Germany, Mexico, and the UK. Although the UK’s National Football League remains amateur, the British American Football Federation (BAFF) now has 12,000 active members since its inception, positioning Great Britain as a key player in global football popularity.

Japan

It might surprise some that American football is hugely popular in Japan, ranking as one of the nation’s top sports. First introduced in the 1930s, the sport took off after World War II. Like in the U.S., football is played at both professional and university levels, though each professional team can only have three American players. Japan also boasts a strong national football team, with two American Football World Cup victories to its name.

Source: https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/countries-where-football-is-popular-with-the-exception-of-the-us/