What are the reasons for soccer’s strong appeal to people from so many different cultures and backgrounds? For one thing, soccer gives
all nations a degree of parity that is not always found in other sports.
"Soccer’s universality is its simplicity—the fact that the game can be
played anywhere with anything,” says National Geographic writer Sean
Wilsey. Rich or poor, all countries from all climates have equal access
to the sport, which needs very little equipment to play. It is also a
game in which spirit, determination, and creativity are just as
important as physical characteristics, giving no particular race any
clear advantage. Take, for example, legendary Argentinian Diego
Maradona, standing five foot five with legs like tree trunks, or current
Korean star Ji—sung Park, with a short, slight frame that few would
eXpect to be that of a world-class athlete. It is a game where upsets can
and often do happen. Once the World Cup starts, it is certain that
some of the soccer powerhouses will stumble and a few underdogs
will move on to the single elimination rounds. In the 2006 World
Cup, five of the 16 teams to go on to the elimination rounds were not
ranked among the top 20 teams before the tournament began. Every
team having a fighting chance just adds to the excitement.