How Many Soccer Teams Are There? (Pro, National, and World Cup)

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Soccer, often hailed as the world’s most popular sport, boasts a vibrant and expansive landscape of teams spanning across continents and leagues.

Yet, quantifying the exact number of soccer teams worldwide is a monumental task, given the sheer scale and diversity of the soccer ecosystem.

In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover how many soccer teams there are around the world, from the professional powerhouses of the elite leagues to the grassroots clubs shaping the future of the beautiful game.

how many soccer teams are there
how many soccer teams are there

How Many Soccer Teams Are There

In this article, you can read through all 5 sections or skip ahead to the topics that are most important to you. Make sure to stick around until the end, watch the video tutorial, and get your special free gift that is guaranteed to make you a better player.

  1. How many soccer teams are there in the world
  2. How many soccer teams are in the world cup
  3. How many women’s soccer teams are there in the world
  4. How many national soccer teams are there in the world
  5. How to become a better soccer player, improve faster & achieve more

I hope this article gives you all you need about how many soccer teams are there – Let’s get started!

how many soccer teams are there in the world
how many soccer teams are there in the world

How Many Soccer Teams Are There In The World

While it’s challenging to pinpoint an exact number due to the fluid nature of team promotions, relegations, and new formations, we can provide an overview of the scale.

At the top tier of professional soccer, there are approximately 100 to 200 clubs competing in the major leagues of Europe, such as the English Premier League, La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy, Bundesliga in Germany, and Ligue 1 in France. Each of these leagues typically consists of 18 to 20 teams, totaling around 98 teams across these five major European leagues alone.

Moving beyond Europe, other continents boast significant professional soccer leagues. In South America, for example, the Brazilian Serie A and the Argentine Primera División each feature around 20 teams. In North America, Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States and the Liga MX in Mexico also have approximately 20 teams each.

Furthermore, when considering lower divisions and regional leagues worldwide, the number of professional soccer teams expands significantly. In England alone, there are over 140 professional teams spread across the English Football League (EFL) Championship, League One, and League Two.

Expanding our scope globally, countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Germany also have extensive pyramid systems with multiple tiers of professional leagues, each comprising numerous teams. Additionally, emerging soccer markets in Asia and Africa contribute to the overall count with their own professional leagues and clubs.

Taking all these factors into account, it’s estimated that there are tens of thousands of professional soccer teams worldwide, providing opportunities for players of all skill levels to compete and showcase their talents on the professional stage.

how many pro soccer teams are there in the world
how many pro soccer teams are there in the world

How Many Soccer Teams Are In The World Cup

he FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of international soccer competition, features a total of 32 teams from around the world.

These teams qualify through a rigorous process that involves regional tournaments and qualifiers, such as the UEFA European qualifiers, CONMEBOL South American qualifiers, CONCACAF qualifiers, CAF African qualifiers, AFC Asian qualifiers, and OFC Oceanian qualifiers.

The tournament itself is divided into several stages, starting with the group stage, where the 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four teams each.

After the group stage, the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, which includes the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately, the final.

Over the course of approximately a month-long tournament, these 32 national teams compete for the prestigious title of World Cup champion, showcasing the highest level of soccer skill and talent on the global stage.

how many soccer teams are in the world cup
how many soccer teams are in the world cup

How Many Women’s Soccer Teams Are There In The World

The number of professional women’s soccer teams worldwide has been growing steadily in recent years, reflecting the increasing popularity and recognition of women’s soccer.

At the top tier of women’s professional soccer, several leagues stand out, including the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, the FA Women’s Super League (WSL) in England, and the Division 1 Féminine in France. Each of these leagues typically consists of 8 to 12 teams, totaling around 30 teams across these major leagues.

Beyond these prominent leagues, there are numerous professional women’s soccer teams competing in other countries and regions. Countries like Germany, Sweden, Australia, and Japan have their own professional women’s leagues with multiple teams.

Additionally, the global reach of women’s soccer is expanding, with new leagues and teams emerging in regions where the sport was previously less established. This includes countries across Asia, Africa, and South America, where the growth of women’s soccer is gaining momentum.

Overall, while the exact number of professional women’s soccer teams may vary due to league expansions, contractions, and new formations, it’s evident that the landscape is evolving, providing more opportunities for female players to compete at the professional level and inspiring the next generation of talent.

how many women's soccer teams are there in the world
how many women’s soccer teams are there in the world

How Many National Soccer Teams Are There In The World

There are 211 national soccer teams recognized by FIFA, the international governing body for soccer.

These national teams represent their respective countries and compete in various FIFA-sanctioned tournaments and competitions, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, continental championships such as the UEFA European Championship and the Copa América, as well as friendly matches and other international tournaments.

FIFA ranks these national teams based on their performance in official matches, taking into account factors such as wins, losses, and the strength of opponents.

The FIFA rankings provide a snapshot of each national team’s standing in the global soccer landscape and are updated on a monthly basis.

how many national soccer teams are there in the world
how many national soccer teams are there in the world

How Many Pro Soccer Teams Are There In The World

In the ever-evolving world of soccer, the number of teams is not merely a statistic but a testament to the sport’s universal appeal and enduring legacy.

From the pinnacle of professional competition to the grassroots level where dreams are born, soccer teams serve as the lifeblood of the sport, uniting communities, inspiring generations, and showcasing the boundless passion that fuels the game.

As we celebrate soccer teams worldwide, let us continue to cherish and support the players, coaches, and fans who make the beautiful game truly extraordinary.

how many professional soccer teams are there in the world
how many professional soccer teams are there in the world

How To Become A Better Soccer Player

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Seize the opportunity, embrace the challenge, and make a positive step towards your success. The future you want, is created by the decisions you make today.

If you really want to take another strong step in the right direction…

( continue reading )

how much soccer teams are there

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how many soccer teams are there in total

About The Author

I used to be a soccer player who struggled with self-confidence. I felt slow, weak, and unmotivated. My coaches didn’t pay much attention to me, my friends laughed at my lack of skills. At one point, I even became so discouraged that I quit the sport altogether.

Enough was enough. I decided to take control of my own development and set out on a journey to become a better soccer player. This path led me on an incredible journey of self-improvement.

I went on to win league and goal-scoring titles, earn awards, lift trophies, and received a college scholarship. I’ve even earned international caps for my country.

I started sharing my knowledge, teaching others how to become the best soccer players they could be. My YouTube channel grew to over 500,000 subscribers. I coached for top youth clubs and men’s teams. Then started my own soccer academy.

how many men's soccer teams are there in the world

Become A Better Soccer Player

But enough about me, let’s focus on you.

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I’m passionate about helping players achieve their goals in soccer, and I’d love to be a part of your journey. I can help you reach your goals faster and achieve more in this sport, but I won’t force you. If you’re ready to take the next step, here’s what I suggest you do:

1) Download The Soccer Success Planner (FREE)

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how many soccer teams

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Wishing You Success In Soccer

Coach Dylan
Progressive Soccer

Thank you for reading this article:
How Many Soccer Teams Are There? (Pro, National, and World Cup)

Dylan Tooby

Success should not be judged based on what you achieve but by what you help others achieve. Hopefully, this information will help you. Thank you for reading. Please, leave a comment.