Countries you didn’t know were soccer crazy

In these Soccer Nations, fans live and breathe the sport.

by Zach Pontz  |  Wednesday, March 22, 2017

by Zach Pontz
Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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Argentinian Lionel Messi, considered one of the world's best soccer players, is making his second trip to Israel. Argentinian Lionel Messi, considered one of the world's best soccer players, is making his second trip to Israel. (Photo: JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Argentinian Lionel Messi, considered one of the world's best soccer players, is making his second trip to Israel.
The U.S. women have had more success on the world stage than the men. Here they celebrate their recent World Cup victory.
Iceland, with a population of just 300,000, has been able to field a world class national team. Here, the national team takes on the Netherlands in a friendly match.
South Africa soccer fans at an Olympic match versus Denmark.
Israel's men's national team draws big crowds whenever it plays at home.
Australians take their soccer very seriously. Here fans of top club team Sydney FC cheer on their men.
Fans of Japan's women's national team cheer them on during the 2015 World Cup final.
Uruguayan fans with cardboard cut outs of Uruguay's star forward Luis Suarez cheer prior to their team's 2014 World Cup match versus Colombia.
Costa Rica's men's national team was greeted like heroes at home following their quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands in the 2014 World Cup.
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Countries that love soccer

Whatever you call it – soccer, football, futbol – it's considered "The Beautiful Game" wherever it's played. And as the most popular sport in the world, that happens to be pretty much everywhere.

There are places where the game carries a special mystique: think Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, France ... really, the list could go on and on. These countries come to a standstill during World Cup games, have first-rate domestic leagues, and produce some of the best players in the world year after year.

But there are other countries where the sport is pretty popular as well. Here are 8 surprising places that sport a large population of soccer devotees.

Photos and SlideshowsPhotos and Slideshows