Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with millions of fans and players spread across the globe. With such a massive following, it’s only natural to wonder just how many soccer teams there are in the world. While the exact number is difficult to pin down, there are several sources that provide estimates.
According to FIFA, there are currently 3,903 professional soccer teams in the world, operating in 201 different countries. However, this number only accounts for professional teams, and there are likely many more amateur and semi-professional teams that are not included in this count. Other sources estimate that there are over 200,000 soccer teams worldwide, with an estimated 10 million players in total.
Regardless of the exact number, it’s clear that soccer is a sport with a massive global presence. From small local teams to world-renowned clubs, soccer has captured the hearts of millions and continues to grow in popularity. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the numbers behind the sport and explore just how many soccer teams there really are in the world.
Global Soccer Organizations
FIFA
FIFA is the international governing body of football, responsible for organizing global tournaments such as the World Cup. As of 2023, FIFA recognizes over 211 national football associations and oversees over 3,900 professional football clubs worldwide. FIFA is also responsible for overseeing the laws of the game, including rules on player eligibility, equipment, and match officials.
UEFA
UEFA, or the Union of European Football Associations, is the administrative body for football in Europe. It oversees 55 national football associations and organizes club competitions such as the Champions League Europa League, Europa Conference League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Youth League, UEFA Regions’ Cup, UEFA Woman’s Champions League, and UEFA Futsal Champions League. UEFA also organizes competitions for national teams from Europe, for senior and junior categories, woman’s and Futsal teams.
CONCACAF
CONCACAF, or the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, is responsible for football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It has 41 member associations and organizes competitions such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF National League for national teams, and CONCACAF Champions League, CONCACAF Central American Cup, CONCACAF Caribbean Cup and CONCACAF Caribbean Shield for clubs.
CAF
CAF, or the Confederation of African Football, is responsible for football in Africa. It has 54 member associations and organizes competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations for national teams, and African Super League, CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup for clubs. CAF also organize many other competitions for woman, junior and futsal teams.
AFC
AFC, or the Asian Football Confederation, is responsible for football in Asia and Australia. It has 47 member associations and organizes competitions such as the AFC Asian Cup.
OFC
OFC, or the Oceania Football Confederation, is responsible for football in Oceania. It has 13 member associations and organizes competitions such as the OFC Nations Cup.
Football clubs can be divided into several categories based on their level of play. Professional clubs are those that pay their players, while amateur clubs do not. National teams represent their country in international competitions, while women’s soccer teams are those that are made up of female players. The number of football clubs in a country varies, with some countries having thousands of clubs and others having only a few.
Football Clubs by Country
According to FIFA, there are currently 3,903 professional soccer teams in the world, operating in 201 different countries. The number of clubs in each country varies, with some countries having a large number of clubs and others having only a few. For example, England has over 640 football clubs, while Bhutan has only 35.
Women’s Soccer Teams
Women’s soccer has grown in popularity in recent years, with more and more countries developing women’s national teams and professional leagues. As of 2023, FIFA recognizes 187 women’s national teams and over 3,500 professional women’s clubs worldwide.
National Teams
National teams represent their country in international competitions such as the World Cup and the Olympics. FIFA recognizes 211 national football associations, each of which has a national team. Some countries have multiple national teams, such as United Kingdom, which has separate teams for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Professional Teams
Professional football clubs are those that pay their players. These clubs operate in professional leagues and compete against other professional clubs. As of 2023, FIFA recognizes over 3,900 professional football clubs worldwide.
Amateur Teams
Amateur football clubs are those that do not pay their players. These clubs are often made up of local players and compete in amateur leagues. The number of amateur clubs in a country varies, with some countries having a large number of amateur clubs and others having only a few.
Country with the Most Football Clubs
Brazil has the most football clubs of any country, with 656 clubs recognized by the Football Association. This is due in part to the country’s long history with the sport and the popularity of amateur football at the local level.
Number of Professional Teams
Professional soccer teams are those that compete in recognized leagues and competitions. These teams are usually made up of paid players who are contracted to the club. Here’s a breakdown of the number of professional soccer teams worldwide:
Top Leagues by Country
The top leagues in each country are usually considered the most prestigious, and they attract the best players from around the world. Here are the number of professional teams in some of the top soccer leagues by country:
Country
Number of Professional Teams
England
72
Spain
42
Italy
40
Germany
36
France
20
Country with the Most Football Clubs
While England may have the most professional teams, there are other countries with a large number of football clubs. Here are the top five countries with the most football clubs:
Brazil – Over 26,000 football clubs
Germany – Over 25,000 football clubs
United States – Over 24,000 football clubs
Italy – Over 21,000 football clubs
Spain – Over 19,000 football clubs
Number of National Teams
In addition to professional and amateur club teams, there are also national teams that represent their countries in international competitions. Here are the number of national teams by continent:
Africa – 54 national teams
Asia – 47 national teams
Europe – 55 national teams
North America – 35 national teams
Oceania – 11 national teams
South America – 10 national teams
Overall, there are thousands of soccer teams around the world, both professional and amateur. The sport continues to grow in popularity, and it’s likely that we’ll see even more teams and players in the future.
Number of Football Clubs by Country
Football is the most popular sport in the world, and as such, there are countless football clubs in existence. These clubs are found in almost every country, with varying numbers of clubs depending on the country’s size, population, and level of interest in the sport. Here are some facts about the number of football clubs by country:
1. Football clubs by country: There are thousands of football clubs across the world, with over 4,400 professional clubs officially recognized by FIFA. In addition, there are countless amateur clubs, making it difficult to determine an exact number of football clubs worldwide.
2. Women’s soccer teams: Women’s soccer has grown in popularity over the years, with more and more countries establishing women’s national teams and professional leagues. As of 2023, FIFA recognizes 168 women’s national teams.
3. National teams: National teams represent their countries in international competitions such as the World Cup. As of 2023, there are 211 national teams recognized by FIFA, with teams representing 191 of the 193 UN member states.
4. Professional teams: Professional football clubs are those that pay their players and staff to play and work for the club. As mentioned earlier, there are over 4,400 professional clubs worldwide.
5. Amateur teams: Amateur football clubs are those that do not pay their players or staff to play and work for the club. These clubs are often community-based and are run by volunteers. It is difficult to determine the exact number of amateur football clubs worldwide.
6. Country with the most football clubs: It is difficult to determine which country has the most football clubs, as the number of clubs can vary depending on how the clubs are defined. However, some of the countries with the highest number of football clubs include Brazil, Germany, and England.
In conclusion, the number of football clubs worldwide is difficult to determine due to the vast number of amateur clubs. However, there are over 4,400 professional clubs recognized by FIFA, and football clubs can be found in almost every country in the world.
Number of Amateur Teams
Amateur soccer teams are those that are not affiliated with professional leagues or national teams. These teams are typically community-based and participate in local or regional leagues. The number of amateur teams worldwide is difficult to ascertain, but we can get an idea of the scale by looking at youth and adult leagues.
Youth Teams
There are countless youth soccer teams around the world, ranging from informal neighborhood groups to organized leagues. According to FIFA, there are approximately 265 million soccer players worldwide, and a significant portion of these players are under the age of 18. In many countries, youth soccer is a popular pastime and a way for children to stay active and develop social skills.
Adult Amateur Leagues
Adult amateur leagues are also widespread, with players of all ages and skill levels participating. These leagues are typically organized by local or regional soccer associations and may include multiple divisions based on skill level. According to The FA, there are over 50,000 affiliated adult teams in England alone, with more than 1.5 million players participating in these leagues.
While it is difficult to estimate the total number of amateur teams worldwide, it is clear that these teams play a significant role in the global soccer community. Whether playing for fun or competing in organized leagues, amateur soccer provides an outlet for players of all ages to enjoy the beautiful game.
Number of Women Soccer Teams
There are a significant number of women’s soccer teams around the world, ranging from amateur to professional clubs, national teams, and intercollegiate teams.
Professional Teams
Currently, there are more than 1,500 soccer colleges with women’s teams spanning five different division levels: NCAA Division 1, Division 2, Division 3. In addition, there are numerous professional teams that play in various leagues around the world, including the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, the FA Women’s Super League in England, and the Liga MX Femenil in Mexico.
Amateur Teams
There are also countless amateur women’s soccer teams that exist at the local, regional, and national levels. These teams may be organized by recreational leagues, community centers, or other organizations.
National Teams
Many countries have national women’s soccer teams that compete in international tournaments such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the UEFA Women’s Championship, and the CONCACAF Women’s Championship. As of 2023, the United States is the most successful country in women’s international soccer, having won four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals.
Football Clubs by Country
The number of women’s soccer teams varies by country. According to FIFA, as of 2021, the United States has the highest number of registered female soccer players, with over 3.5 million, followed by Germany with over 2.5 million registered players. Other countries with significant numbers of women’s soccer players include Brazil, Canada, and Sweden.
In conclusion, the number of women’s soccer teams around the world is vast and diverse, with teams ranging from amateur to professional levels. Many countries have national teams that compete in international tournaments, and the number of women’s soccer teams varies by country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, soccer is a beloved sport worldwide, with millions of players and fans. The number of soccer teams varies from country to country, with some having a large number of professional teams and others having more amateur teams. Here are some key takeaways:
Football Clubs by Country
Each country has its own football infrastructure, with different leagues and levels of competition. Some countries, such as England and Spain, have a large number of professional clubs, while others, such as the United States, are still growing their soccer infrastructure.
Women’s Soccer Teams
Women’s soccer has grown in popularity in recent years, with more and more countries investing in their women’s national teams and professional leagues. The United States, for example, has a strong women’s national team and a professional league, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
National Teams
Each country has its own national team, which competes in international competitions such as the World Cup and the Olympics. Some countries, such as Brazil and Germany, have a strong soccer tradition and are consistently competitive in these competitions.
Professional Teams
Professional teams are those that compete in top-level leagues and are paid to play soccer. The top-level leagues vary by country, with some having a single top-level league (such as the English Premier League) and others having multiple top-level leagues (such as Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A).
Amateur Teams
Amateur teams are those that play soccer for fun or as a hobby, without being paid to do so. These teams can range from local pickup games to organized amateur leagues and can be found in countries all over the world.
Country with the Most Football Clubs
It is difficult to determine which country has the most football clubs, as the number of clubs can vary depending on how they are counted. However, some countries with large numbers of professional and amateur clubs include Brazil, Germany, Spain, and England.
Hi there! I'm Jake Steinberg, a passionate sports journalist with a knack for diving deep into the stories of inspiring sportsmen and sportswomen. Every athlete has a tale, and it's my mission to bring theirs to light. Join me on this journey through the highs and lows of the sporting world!
