In this blog post, I will examine why soccer enjoys such special popularity worldwide, focusing on the 2002 World Cup, and specifically explore the significance that the rarity of a “single goal” holds for both individuals and society.
The World Cup and the Spectacle of Soccer
The year 2002 was a moment when South Korea became one. Could we ever find another time when so many people rejoiced together in the victory of their homeland, South Korea, and were so elated by the sense of triumph? It would have been a rare occurrence even since liberation from Japan. It was the moment when the national team scored a goal at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. People gathered in the streets, wearing matching outfits and singing the same songs as they cheered with one heart. When Park Ji-sung’s left-footed shot shook the net during the match against Portugal, the roar of cheers that erupted from everyone was truly immense.
This scene is not unique to Korea. Citizens of other countries participating in the World Cup display similar enthusiasm. Many nations around the world unite as one and go wild over a single soccer match. As such, soccer’s popularity among the general public often surpasses that of any other sport. It is difficult to find another single-sport event that garners this much attention.
The Global Popularity of Soccer and Statistical Indicators
According to a study that surveyed and ranked the number of fans for various sports worldwide, soccer took the overwhelming top spot. Soccer is estimated to have approximately 3.5 billion fans, accounting for about half of the world’s population. In comparison, sports like cricket and basketball were found to have around 2 billion fans each, meaning soccer holds the number one position by a significant margin. Furthermore, the fact that the number of countries affiliated with FIFA, the world soccer governing body, exceeds the number of UN member states demonstrates soccer’s international influence.
While many people enjoy playing sports like basketball, badminton, and table tennis, few—if any—go out of their way to watch matches. In contrast, even people who don’t play soccer themselves tend to enjoy watching it. This raises the question: why do people like watching soccer matches?
The Rarity of Goals and the Nature of the Game
While soccer has many appealing aspects, here we will focus on the score—specifically, the scarcity of goals. Because soccer requires the use of all parts of the body except the hands, scoring a goal is difficult. Consequently, with frequent mistakes and defensive pressure, scoring becomes even more challenging. It is hard to score alone; a goal requires excellent teamwork. Thus, in soccer, a goal is a target with a high barrier to entry.
A Single Goal in the 2014 World Cup Final
The final score of the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina was 1-0. Germany scored a single goal to win the World Cup. Over the long duration of the match, spanning both halves, the number of goals that decide the outcome can be counted on one hand. Globally, soccer can be considered a sport with relatively few goals.
The fact that few goals are scored has both advantages and disadvantages. On the downside, it can be frustrating because it takes a long time for a goal to be scored, and it demands patience from the audience. On the other hand, the rarity of goals means that the excitement when a goal is scored is greater than in most other sports. In fact, some people even say they find it frustrating that goals are so hard to come by. One might think that if there were more spectacular goals, as in other sports, the sense of accomplishment would be greater.
However, as soccer’s popularity suggests, many people immerse themselves in the game, willing to endure the long wait until a goal is scored. Even Koreans, who are known for their impatient “hurry up” mentality, do not complain about the long wait for a goal in soccer. Everyone eagerly awaits a single goal, and when it finally comes, they are overcome with joy. The fact that the audience’s longing for “just one goal” makes the long wait worthwhile carries deep significance.
Social Context and the Significance of 2002
In a society that pursues “speed” as much as ours does today, it seems ironic that soccer—a sport requiring a long wait to see a goal—has gained such immense popularity worldwide. However, perhaps this phenomenon reveals people’s true nature. People desire a single, significant goal more than they do many easy ones. On the surface, they face reality and try to live quickly to keep up with others, but deep down, they yearn for “something greater.” This may be the value system people reveal through soccer.
When the 2002 World Cup was held, it was a time when people’s lifestyles and values were gradually shifting toward realism and stability in the wake of the IMF crisis. Career preferences shifted toward stability, and everyone was living busy lives, striving to move forward faster. During that time, when Park Ji-sung scored with a left-footed shot against Portugal in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, people watched with bated breath before erupting in cheers. For those who had been pursuing only stability in a practical sense, soccer presented them with “that one big goal,” and that single goal allowed their suppressed true nature to burst forth all at once. In a sense, soccer fulfilled a desire they had been unable to achieve in reality.
In this way, a soccer match—a contest where players must unite their efforts to score a single goal within a limited time—is filled not only with players and the ball but also with the spectators’ fervent hope for that one goal. Through the preceding discussion, we have confirmed the significance and social implications of a single goal in soccer. However, in terms of expression and flow, there are still areas that need refinement, leaving room for a more polished presentation in the future.
