Most popular sports in countries around the world

Thailand - Most popular sport: Muay Thai.

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.

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Tunisia - Most popular sport: soccer.

The Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 is Tunisia's main soccer competition.

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Turkey - Most popular sport: soccer.

Süper Lig is the biggest sporting event held in the country.

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United Arab Emirates - Most popular sport: cricket.

The United Arab Emirates has three international cricket stadiums where several matches take place.

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United Kingdom - Most popular sport: soccer.

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.

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United States - Most popular sport: football.

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!

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Venezuela - Most popular sport: baseball.

This sport is extremely popular in the country. The country even has the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.

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Vietnam -

Most popular sport: soccer.

Vietnam's national team has never participated in a World Cup, but the sport is very popular there.

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Angola - Most popular sport: soccer.

The Angolan soccer team, known as the Palancas Negras, qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history in 2005.

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Argentina - Most popular sport: soccer.

Argentina's national team, as well as its national clubs, are intimidating opponents for other teams.

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Australia - Most popular sport: Australian football.

This sport is also known as Australian rules football or 'footy.'

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Austria - Most popular sport: skiing.

With all the snow-filled mountains, it is no wonder that skiing is such a popular sport here.

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Brazil - Most popular sport: soccer.

Like Germany, Brazil has qualified and played in every single World Cup.

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Cambodia - Most popular sport: kickboxing.

Other sports might be popular here, but kickboxing is first!

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Cameroon - Most popular sport: soccer.

Cameroon participated in the 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

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Canada - Most popular sport: ice hockey.

Canada is always a big winner at international ice hockey competitions such as the Ice Hockey World Championships and the Olympics.

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Chile - Most popular sport: soccer.

The national soccer team, known as 'La Roja, have played in nine World Cups, the first one being in 1930.

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China - Most popular sport: table tennis.

Yes, table tennis is considered a sport and is the most popular in China!

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Colombia - Most popular sport: soccer.

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.

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Cuba - Most popular sport: baseball.

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.

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Dominican Republic - Most popular sport: baseball.

Baseball is very popular here. They even have their own league: The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League.

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Estonia - Most popular sport: skiing.

Otepää, the 'winter capital' of Estonia, was the site of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in 2005-2006.

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Ethiopia - Most popular sport: soccer.

The Ethiopian Premier League is the country's premier soccer division.

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Finland - Most popular sport: ice hockey.

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.

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France - Most popular sport: soccer.

France has produced some great soccer players. In 1998, France had a memorable win over Brazil at the World Cup.

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India - Most popular sport: cricket.

Cricket is so popular here, it is not uncommon to see people playing it on the streets of India.

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Ireland - Most popular sport: Gaelic football.

Irish football, also called Gaelic football, is the most played sport in Ireland. A team is made of 15 players.

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Italy - Most popular sport: soccer.

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.

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Japan - Most popular sport: baseball.

Nippon Professional Baseball is the main national baseball league in Japan, founded in 1950.

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Kenya - Most popular sport: soccer.

Although Kenya's national team has never managed to qualify for the World Cup, football is the most popular sport there!

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Laos - Most popular sport: kickboxing.

The variation of kickboxing that is most popular in this country is Muay Lao.

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Latvia - Most popular sport: basketball.

In the first edition of EuroBasket in 1935, Latvia became Europe's champion.

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Lithuania - Most popular sport: basketball.

Lithuania's basketball team is one of the strongest teams in FIBA Europe.

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Mexico - Most popular sport: soccer.

The Mexican soccer team is currently 20th in the FIFA World Rankings and 12th in the World Football Elo Ratings.

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Nepal - Most popular sport: cricket.

Nepal's national cricket team, also known as The Rhinos, represents the country in international competitions.

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Netherlands - Most popular sport: soccer.

Football was introduced in the Netherlands in the 19th century by Pim Mulier, who founded the team HFC Haarlem.

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New Zealand - Most popular sport: rugby.

New Zealand's rugby union team is one of the best in the world.

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Nigeria - Most popular sport: soccer.

Nigeria's national football team competes internationally and it's a platform for several talented players who go on to play in European leagues.

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Pakistan - Most popular sport: cricket.

Pakistan also has a strong cricket squad. They won the world championship in 1992.

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Peru - Most popular sport: soccer.

Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional is Peru's top soccer division.

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Philippines - Most popular sport: basketball.

The Philippine Basketball Association is the nation's leading basketball league, founded in 1975.

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Poland - Most popular sport: soccer.

Although the Polish soccer team does not have much prominence globally, they did win in the 1972 Olympics.

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South Africa - Most popular sport: soccer.

South Africa got to host the 2010 World Cup.

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Spain - Most popular sport: soccer.

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.

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Sri Lanka - Most popular sport: cricket.

Sri Lanka's team are dubbed The Lions and they're a part of the International Cricket Council.

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