From “wildcat” miners to corporate giants
The Angolan soccer team, known as the Palancas Negras, qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history in 2005.
Argentina's national team, as well as its national clubs, are intimidating opponents for other teams.
This sport is also known as Australian rules football or 'footy.'
With all the snow-filled mountains, it is no wonder that skiing is such a popular sport here.
Bangladesh has a strong national league made up of players from many other countries including Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and England. Bangladesh's national cricket team are known as The Tigers.
Like Germany, Brazil has qualified and played in every single World Cup.
Other sports might be popular here, but kickboxing is first!
Cameroon participated in the 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014 World Cup tournaments.
Canada is always a big winner at international ice hockey competitions such as the Ice Hockey World Championships and the Olympics.
The national soccer team, known as 'La Roja, have played in nine World Cups, the first one being in 1930.
Yes, table tennis is considered a sport and is the most popular in China!
Colombia's biggest achievement to date was at the 2001 Copa América where they were crowned the champions of the tournament, and which they hosted.
Cuba is considered a powerhouse team in baseball. The Cuban team has participated in all the Summer Olympics since 1992 and has had the most successes.
Baseball is very popular here. They even have their own league: The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League.
Egypt 'snational team is the most successful team in Africa, having won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times. They are also the team in Africa with the most consecutive wins after being crowned the champions three tournaments in a row.
Otepää, the 'winter capital' of Estonia, was the site of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in 2005-2006.
The Ethiopian Premier League is the country's premier soccer division.
Finland is one of the best teams in the world in this sport and has given us big players such as Saku Koivu and Ville Peltonen.
France has produced some great soccer players. In 1998, France had a memorable win over Brazil at the World Cup.
Cricket is so popular here, it is not uncommon to see people playing it on the streets of India.
Irish football, also called Gaelic football, is the most played sport in Ireland. A team is made of 15 players.
Italy has one of the most successful soccer teams in World Cup history. The country has reached the finals six times, and won four World Cups.
Nippon Professional Baseball is the main national baseball league in Japan, founded in 1950.
Although Kenya's national team has never managed to qualify for the World Cup, football is the most popular sport there!
The variation of kickboxing that is most popular in this country is Muay Lao.
In the first edition of EuroBasket in 1935, Latvia became Europe's champion.
Lithuania's basketball team is one of the strongest teams in FIBA Europe.
The Mexican soccer team is currently 20th in the FIFA World Rankings and 12th in the World Football Elo Ratings.
There is a holiday in Mongolia called 'Naadam,' also known as 'Eriin Gurvan Naadam.' On this holiday there are freestyle wrestling, horse racing, and even archery events.
Nepal's national cricket team, also known as The Rhinos, represents the country in international competitions.
Football was introduced in the Netherlands in the 19th century by Pim Mulier, who founded the team HFC Haarlem.
New Zealand's rugby union team is one of the best in the world.
Nigeria's national football team competes internationally and it's a platform for several talented players who go on to play in European leagues.
Pakistan also has a strong cricket squad. They won the world championship in 1992.
Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional is Peru's top soccer division.
The Philippine Basketball Association is the nation's leading basketball league, founded in 1975.
Although the Polish soccer team does not have much prominence globally, they did win in the 1972 Olympics.
Soccer is Russia's most popular sport and this year the country will have an opportunity to show its love for the game as it prepares to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa got to host the 2010 World Cup.
The Spanish football team has many international stars, and the country is home to two of the best clubs in the world: Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Sri Lanka's team are dubbed The Lions and they're a part of the International Cricket Council.
This type of martial arts is the most popular sport in the country. What is interesting about this photo is the fact that one of the competitors shown here is Somros 'Rose' Pholjaroen, a transgender Muay Thai fighter, who in 2005 (date of the photo) was just 19 years old.
The Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 is Tunisia's main soccer competition.
Süper Lig is the biggest sporting event held in the country.
The United Arab Emirates has three international cricket stadiums where several matches take place.
The British soccer team represents the United Kingdom, but in FIFA competitions each constituent nation (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) has its own team.
The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League. It mobilizes the country as no American dares to miss even one second of the game!
This sport is extremely popular in the country. The country even has the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.
Most popular sport: soccer.
Vietnam's national team has never participated in a World Cup, but the sport is very popular there.
Click through this gallery to find out which are the most beloved sports in countries around the world!
Most popular sports in countries around the world
Not every nation is a fan of soccer!
LIFESTYLE Brazil vs colombia
While soccer may be the world's most popular sport, it may not be every country's favorite! In fact, it might surprise you to learn that some countries prefer sports such as table tennis, wrestling, baseball, or even cricket.
Click through this gallery to find out which are the most beloved sports in countries around the world!