Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. Consequently, there are hundreds of leagues and tournaments throughout the world as well as thousands of games. Without a doubt, some tournaments are better than others, but what makes one football tournament stand out from the others?
National pride
Unquestionably, the biggest football tournament in the world is the FIFA World Cup. Not only does it offer the largest prize in international football, but as an international event, it brings together countries from around the world. It’s special for many simply because it’s a chance for the players themselves to represent their country. And for the viewers, it’s time to be proud of their country and support their team. Better still, the venue changes each time the tournament takes place, with the four-year rotation moving between different countries that then host the event.
Europe’s top teams
For a tournament on a slightly smaller scale, there’s the UEFA Champions League. This is the top club prize in Europe and one that’s sought after by all the top teams. It takes place each year and is fought out between the top clubs from the top football divisions across all European countries. The number of teams from each country depends on their ranking of the leagues. What’s great about it is that it slots into the regular season and leagues and tournaments that are already taking place. As such, the tournament is ongoing, while other domestic events are going on as well, just adding to the fun of the football calendar.
Unpredictability is key
When it comes to domestic leagues, the top league is the English Premier League. It’s hugely popular, not just in the UK, but around the world too. In fact, it’s inevitable that football fans around the world will know the teams — Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, possibly better than some of their own domestic teams. The Premier League is special though, because it is possibly the most prestigious football competition in the world. The tournament has some of the biggest audiences around the world as well as claiming some of the world’s best players and managers. The league’s unpredictability is part of its charm—several clubs are usually in contention for the title, making each season uniquely thrilling. Platforms like Bet Malawi reflect this international interest by covering Premier League fixtures for fans across the African continent and beyond.
.Bringing in the women
While football has long been considered a man’s sport, in more recent years, the women have started to pick up in popularity. In fact, the Women’s World Cup is now increasingly popular and, like the men’s version, is the biggest prize on the women’s football calendar. It also takes place every four years, and the first edition took place in 1993. Surprisingly, the USA is the most successful team in the Women’s World Cup, indicating just how special it is in terms of bringing other countries into the mix. Outside of women’s football, the USA does not really have much of a foothold at all.
South American football
The Copa America is South America’s version of the Euros. It’s organised by CONMEBOL and has the special place of being the oldest continental football competition in the world. However, since its inception, it has undergone a lot of changes. In fact, to emphasise this point, the upcoming tournament will have some of the biggest changes yet, with six times the CONCACAF entering the event under a new agreement.
These are just a few reasons why these major tournaments are so special. But they’re also not the only special football competitions out there. Find out more about football and discover more exciting events.
