The FIFA Football World Cup is the biggest sport event of all time and nothing comes close.

[Slipknot666]

Not the Olympics
Not the Super Bowl
Not the UEFA Champion League Finals.
Not Barcelona Vs Madrid
Not Liverpool Vs Manchester United
Not AC Milan vs Inter Milan
Not Boca vs River

I just saw this ESPN recap from the 2014 WC and I got emotional. Nothing comes close. The WC dominates the entire world for 30 days.



I kinda torn on the new format for the 2024 WC. I think 32 teams is the sweet spot.

 

[Deleted member 2809]

Ok
Reminder that qatar used slave labor to get ready for their upcoming WC

 

[808s & Villainy]

Was anyone saying otherwise?

 

[march_in_march]

I mean aside from the Olympics all your other examples aren't a global affair so you can't really compare.

With that said, I agree with you.

 

[Exist 2 Inspire]

it's true

 

[Deleted member 7279]

It also manages to somehow be more corrupt than the Olympics, which is definitely a feat in itself

 

[Slim Action]

Not a big soccer/football fan but I do watch the Men's & Women's World Cups and the Euros, and it always feels pretty cool and unique.

Absolutely filthy behind the scenes, of course.

 

[Blue Skies]

Yea I guess it is

 

[SteveWinwood]

it leads in arrests of the people running it too!

 

[Deleted member 15428]

It's also the most corrupt sporting event of all time!

 

[SofNascimento]

You're 100% correct, OP.

 

[Bundy]

It's also the most corrupt sporting event of all time!

Click to shrink...

Bingo

 

[EvilChameleon]

More countries participate in the Olympics than the World Cup, so saying it dominates the world is a little false.

 

[GatsGatsby]

I got to agree as much as I'm excited for the College National Championship on Monday the WC is another level. You dont even have to give a shit about it but still manage to get swept up in it.

2014 was the first time I was exposed to the WC having a bf at the time who went for France. I watched with him ended up getting into it and picking to go for Netherlands with Germany as a back up.

2018 I wasnt in the relationship anymore but I still felt the desire to watch. I was watching at work and home. Its kinda crazy how much you can get into it even when you dont know fuck all about it.

 

[Advc]

True. It's the only month where I give a damn about soccer lol. The Olympics are nice too but the World Cup brings more hype IMO

 

[perfectchaos007]

Nah, it's the olympics.

 

[Vulcano's Assistant]

I don't think this is something that people put into question.

 

[Spine Crawler]

i was considerably less excited about the russian world cup and i am thinking about skipping the qatar one

 

[hydrophilic attack]

yes

and?

 

[Cow]

Nobody truly likes the Olympics. It's kind of just there and watched because it is there. People who watch the world cup are dedicated to it and watch every game.

 

[Jogi]

Not really sure what you're looking for so...cool?

 

[ClamBuster]

yep

also, of note, the tour de france is still the biggest annual sporting event

 

[Man with Knife]

I mean...yeah?

 

[Schreckweg 5000]

Ok
Reminder that qatar used slave labor to get ready for their upcoming WC

Click to shrink...

Football selling out to Qatar/Saudi Arabia the last years is something to behold. Spain/Italy/WC cup and more to come.

It's also the most corrupt sporting event of all time!

Click to shrink...

Eh, hard to see a leader among the extremely strong contenders

 

[Eila]

More countries participate in the Olympics than the World Cup, so saying it dominates the world is a little false.

Click to shrink...

Well, considering China and India do not usually participate in the WC (that might change with the new format in 2026), then yes, the Olympics is a bigger tournament.

 

[Big-E]

Well, considering China and India do not usually participate in the WC (that might change with the new format in 2026), then yes, the Olympics is a bigger tournament.

Click to shrink...

China loves soccer more than most. There is a reason why there is Mandarin on virtually every single club team's kit in Europe.

 

[Ruruja]

Provides quality gifs for years to come too.

 

[Geoff]

More countries participate in the Olympics than the World Cup, so saying it dominates the world is a little false.

Click to shrink...

(Almost) every country participates in the WC. Only the best (well not really but let's go with it anyway) get to the finals.

 

[Geoff]

China loves soccer more than most. There is a reason why there is Mandarin on virtually every single club team's kit in Europe.

Click to shrink...

it's on some. By no means is it even close to being on every single club's kit.

 

[Big-E]

it's on some. By no means is it even close to being on every single club's kit.

Click to shrink...

I said virtually instead of literally for a reason.

 

[Squid Bunny]

Well, considering China and India do not usually participate in the WC (that might change with the new format in 2026), then yes, the Olympics is a bigger tournament.

Click to shrink...

They still watch the shit out of the WC though. India has a huge Brazil/Argentina fanbase.

 

[Deleted member 1726]

Did anyone say something different to you OP?

thought it was widely known it's the largest sporting event on the planet.

 

[Deleted member 1726]

Well, considering China and India do not usually participate in the WC (that might change with the new format in 2026), then yes, the Olympics is a bigger tournament.

Click to shrink...

they do actually, they just never qualify for the finals.

their (China) greatest achievement is seems as qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.

 

[Geoff]

I said virtually instead of literally for a reason.

Click to shrink...

it's not virtually. It's 'some'. Not even most.

 

[Deleted member 2085]

Agreed. Won't watch the Qatar one though.

 

[Big-E]

it's not virtually. It's 'some'. Not even most.

Click to shrink...

Why do you want to take things so literal? Exaggeration not allowed any more?

 

[HomokHarcos]

If you're counting each Olympic sport as its own event, then it certainly is.

 

[Mr.Awesome]

Nope. Most important country in the world doesnt care about soccer, and therefore it's irrelevant.

 

[HomokHarcos]

Football selling out to Qatar/Saudi Arabia the last years is something to behold. Spain/Italy/WC cup and more to come.


Eh, hard to see a leader among the extremely strong contenders

Click to shrink...

Even Germany bribed FIFA to win the rights for 2006. The World Cup used to be my favorite event out of anything, but FIFA is such a shady organization I feel guilty getting excited over it.

 

[perfectchaos007]

yep

also, of note, the tour de france is still the biggest annual sporting event

Click to shrink...

yeah that event is pretty dope

also this thread needed a poll in the OP

 

[Soulnado]

That sure is a controversial opinion?

 

[EloKa]

Super Bowl final has like 100 million viewers and the World Cup final has around 1 billion viewers. So... yeah?

 

[MistahS]

It is known

 

[Burrman]

Ya love WC time. Too bad it's so far away. Euros in the summer!

 

[ReplacementPelican]

Is there a point to this? Does anyone actually not think this?

 

[Fluffhead14]

helluva strawman.

 

[Geist 6one7]

Sure but I'm boycotting the next one.

 

[Rommaz]

I mean...yeah? Not many people argue that opinion, like not even the Olympics come close in terms of hype and excitement

 

[bionic77]

It's a solid second after Video Armageddon.

 

[SMD]

.