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Soccer Influence

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The Influence of Soccer Since its conception, soccer continues to dominate the global sports scene. As of 2015, 265 million people play soccer in the world. This widely known game was invented two centuries ago in England and quickly became one of the most popular sports in the world. Soccer is also exceptionally influential in the political world. The sport has the capability to spark war and bring peace to entire nations. Along with its effects on the political world, soccer is also a considerable part of many cultures. The daily lives of people culturally and politically would be vastly different if it weren’t for the major influence of soccer. This widespread sport has its roots in England. In 1863, association football, soccer’s …show more content…

Not only does the world affect soccer and its ideas, but soccer creates substantial effects on the world as well. Soccer extensively influences politics all over the world, some of its effects positive and some negative. One of the major positive effects the sport can have is its power to stop wars and bring nations together. One prime example of this is in 1967, Pele, a world famous Brazilian soccer star played in an exhibition match in Nigeria . Prior to this event, Nigeria had been in the middle of a civil war, but when Pele arrived to play in the match, the country called a 48-hour cease-fire just to honor Pele and his talent . In 2007 in Ivory Coast, the same thing happened again, only this time, Ivory Coast’s own soccer team united the nation. Ivory Coast had been at war with itself for five years when the national team played in the rebel capital. Both government supporters and rebels were next to each other cheering in the stands because of soccer instead of politics (“Football- A Beautiful Game…”). Another time countries have made peace over soccer was in 2008 and 2009 when Turkey and Armenia played in a World Cup qualifying game. The leader of Turkey and Armenia met to watch the game together consequently thawing relationships between the two countries (Weiner). Soccer can also be a vehicle for various movements, especially in the Middle East, where

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