MADISON, WI — To usher in the 2014 World Cup, which starts Thursday, June 12 in Brazil, we thought we would show you some places where the love of and obsession with soccer is still strong, even though there are high rates of poverty in these areas.
A staggering 715.1 million fans in every corner of the world watched the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany, despite the fact that more than 3 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day. Organizations and people like Chris Singer see these facts and believe that soccer can play a large role in positively changing the world. The love of soccer in poverty is just one example of how soccer can be used to unite the world.
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“A game of futevôlei (footvolley), a Brazilian speciality, being played in Rocinha, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most densely populated favelas.“
Source and Photo: The Daily Beast
2. Msambweni, Kenya
A young boy, Suleiman, holding his soccer ball.
Source and Photo: Flickr
3. Cambodia
Boys enjoying playing soccer despite exceptionally muddy conditions.
Source and Photo: Flickr
4. Mabopane, Pretoria, South Africa
Children playing soccer in a nearby field.
Source and Photo: Flickr
5. Ghana
Children playing street soccer as adults watch on the sidelines.
Source and Photo: Flickr
6. Chocata, Bolivia
Children playing soccer at 4000 meters above the ground.
Source and Photo: Flickr
7. Guanajuato, Mexico
Young boys in Mexico playing soccer in the streets.
Source and Photo: Flickr
8. Srinagar, Kashmir, India.
Men kicking the soccer ball around in the streets.
Source and Photo: Flickr
9. India
Children playing with each other and with their soccer ball.
Source and Photo: Flickr
10. Siam Reap, Cambodia
A boy kicking the ball outside of his orphanage in the pouring rain.
Source and Photo: Flickr
Sources: The Daily Beast, FIFA, Can Soccer Save the World?
Feature Photo: Flickr