FIFA Big Count 2006: 270 million people active in football

There are now 265 million footballers (male and female) worldwide – and 270 million people are
actively involved in football if referees and officials are included. These are the significant main results
of a survey conducted by FIFA with the help of its 207 member associations.

The figures represent a 10% increase on the first survey that used the same criteria in the year 2000.
The number of registered players has increased by over 50% in the women’s game alone.

The key findings from the study are:

The overall total – 265 million players – is almost 10% higher than the number recorded
six years ago (242 million). 26 million (or nearly 10%) of these players are women.

Referees and officials bring the total number of people directly involved in football to 270
million. This means that around 4% of the world’s population (or 1 in 25 people) are
directly involved with football.

The number of registered footballers (38 million) has increased by nearly a quarter (23%)
on the same figure from the year 2000 (30 million).

The growth in women’s football is particularly striking. The number of registered female
players (at youth and senior level) has increased by 54% to 4.1 million. In the men’s game,
the number has increased by 21% to 34.2 million.

The number of unregistered occasional players, which was first recorded in the previous
Big Count study, has increased by 7% to 226 million.

When added together, there are already over one million futsal and beach soccer players
(male and female).

In terms of regional differences, Asia (85 million footballers) holds a clear advantage over
the other five confederations (Europe: 62 million; Africa: 46 million; North, Central
America and the Caribbean: 43 million; South America: 27 million; Oceania: 0.5 million).
However, if the share of footballers in the total population is taken into account, North,
Central America and the Caribbean, South America and Europe are all ahead of the other
confederations with a population share of over 7% each.

The number of clubs (301,000) is similar to the figure recorded in 2000. Conversely, the
total number of teams (1.7 million) represents an increase of approximately 200,000
teams (i.e. an average of nearly six teams per club). The apparent decrease in the number
of professional footballers (110,000) can be attributed to the improvements made in the
method of collating data.

The data for Big Count 2006 was collated in the first half of 2006 via the standard practice of a
questionnaire as well as an online tool. The response rate was over 75%. FIFA used Big Count 2000, a
UEFA survey from 2005 and other internal analyses to supplement missing data from associations and for
plausibility purposes. The study was scientifically observed by Lamprecht & Stamm SFB AG, a social
research company based in Zurich.

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

Big Count: Comparison 2006 – 2000
(in millions, overall totals rounded)

Big Count 2006 Big Count 2000 +/-

Total Players 265 242 +9%
Male players 238.6 220.5 +8
Female players 26.0 21.9 +19

Total Players, registered 38 31 +24%

Male players, registered 34.2 28.3 +21
Female players, registered 4.1 2.7 +54

Total Players, not registered 226 211 +7%

Male players, not registered 204.4 192.2 +6
Female players, not registered 21.9 19.2 +14

Total Youth 22 18 +7%

Male players, youth 18.7 15.8 +18
Female players, youth 2.9 2.2 +32

Total Persons involved in football 270 247 +9%

Total Players 264.6 242.4 +9
Total Referees 0.84 0.72 +17
Officials 4.2 3.6 +17

(in 1000s)
Professionals (male) 110 125
Futsal & Beach Soccer 1,100 -
Clubs 301 305
Teams 1,752 1,548

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

Big Count 2006:
Statistical Summary Report by Gender/Category/Region

In 1000s; sum of rounded values does not always correspond with rounded total
Values proved statistically

TOTAL AFC CAF CONCACAF CONMEBOL OFC UEFA

Players 264,552 85,176 46,300 43,109 27,778 542 61,647

Male 238,557 80,075 44,940 33,071 24,703 486 55,283

Female 25,995 5,102 1,361 10,038 3074 56 6,364

Referees, Officials 5,058 673 630 1133 168 32 2,422

Total involved in Football 269,610 85,849 46,930 44,242 27,946 573 64,069

% of Population 4.13 2.22 5.16 8.53 7.47 4.68 7.59

Total Population 6,529,791 3,870,439 909,575 518,613 374,235 12,252 844,677

Registered Players 38,287 4,040 3,101 6,121 3,759 241 21,025

Professionals 113 11 7 9 25 0 60
Amateurs (18 and over) 15,481 1,531 926 884 980 59 11,101
Youth (under 18) 21,548 2,322 2,156 5,163 2,346 175 9,386
Futsal 1,112 166 10 60 406 7 464
Beach Soccer 33 10 2 5 1 0 14

Unregistered Players 226,265 81,136 43,199 36,988 24,018 301 40,622

Company or Army Teams,

Schools and Universities, 104,928 29,131 9,050 25,978 14,199 158 26,412
Street Football
Occasional players,
121,337 52,006 34,149 11,010 9,819 143 14,210
additional estimate

Referees, Officials 5,058 673 630 1133 168 32 2,422

Referees and Assistant

843 263 50 172 32 3 322
Referees
Administrators, Coaches,
4,214 410 580 961 136 29 2,100
Technical and Medical Staff

Clubs 301 20 12 17 47 2 202

Teams 1,752 145 71 490 162 13 872
Clubs with at least one
26 3 1 7 1 0 13
women's team

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 Big Count 2006:
Total Players
(in millions)

300

265
275

242
250

225

200
2000 2006

Big Count 2006:

Distribution by Gender
(in millions and %)

26
10%

men
women

239
90%

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 Big Count 2006:
Players by Region
Europe 62 = 23% (in millions and %)

Oceania 0.5 = 0% Asia 85 = 33%

South America 28
= 11%
North, Central America
& Carribbean 43 Africa 46 = 17%
=16%

Big Count 2006:

Total Players by Region
(in % of total population)

10

7.4 7.4 7.3

8

6 4.8 4.7
4

4
2.2
2

0
World Asia Africa Concacaf South Oceania Europe
America

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 Big Count 2006: Big Count 2006:
Female Players Female Players
(in millions) (in % of total)

25 23
30

20

26
15
11
10 10
25
10
6
22
3
5

0
20 Asia Africa Concacaf South Oceania Europe
2000 2006 America

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 Big Count 2006: Big Count 2006: Big Count 2006:
Registered Players Referees Clubs
(in millions) (in 1000s) (in 1000s)

40 38 1000 300

840 305 301

900

800 720
35
700

31
600

30 500 250
2000 2006 2000 2006 2000 2006

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 Big Count 2006: Big Count 2006:
Youth Players Youth Players by Region
(in millions) (in millions)

10
25
9.4

8
22
5.2
6

20
18 4
2.3 2.2 2.3

2
0.2

0
15 Asia Africa Concacaf South Oceania Europe
2000 2006 America

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 PLAYERS TOTAL in 1000s PLAYERS TOTAL in % of pop

1 CHN Chinese Football Association 26,166 1 CRC Federación Costarricense de Fútbol 27

2 USA US Soccer Federation 24,473 2 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 20

3 IND All India Football Federation 20,588 3 FRO The Faroe Islands Football Association 17
Federación Nacional de Fútbol de
4 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 16,309 4 GUA 16
Guatemala
5 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 13,198 5 CHI Federación de Fútbol de Chile 16
Federación Mexicana de Fútbol
6 MEX 8,480 6 PAR Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol 16
Asociación, A.C.
7 IDN Football Association of Indonesia 7,094 7 ARU Arubaanse Voetbal Bond 15

8 NGA Nigeria Football Association 6,654 8 BRB Barbados Football Association 13

9 BAN Bangladesh Football Federation 6,280 9 VAN Vanuatu Football Federation 13

10 RUS Football Union of Russia 5,803 10 MLI Fédération Malienne de Football 12

11 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 4,980 11 AIA Anguilla Football Association 12

12 JPN Japan Football Association 4,805 12 AUT Österreichischer Fussball-Bund 12

13 RSA South African Football Association 4,540 13 NOR Norges Fotballforbund 12

14 FRA Fédération Française de Football 4,190 14 SVK Slovak Football Association 11

15 ENG The Football Association 4,164 15 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 11

16 ETH Ethiopian Football Federation 3,474 16 BER Bermuda Football Association 11

17 EGY Egyptian Football Association 3,138 17 ISL Knattspyrnusamband Islands 11

18 COL Federación Colombiana de Fútbol 3,043 18 NED Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond 11

19 PAK Pakistan Football Federation 2,975 19 IRL The Football Association of Ireland 10

20 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 2,834 20 COK Cook Islands Football Association 10

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 in
PLAYERS REGISTERED 1000s MALE REGISTERED in 1000s FEMALE REGISTERED in 1000s

1 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 6,309 1 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 5,438 1 USA US Soccer Federation 1,670

2 USA US Soccer Federation 4,187 2 USA US Soccer Federation 2,517 2 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 871

3 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 2,142 3 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 2,115 3 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 495

4 FRA Fédération Française de Football 1,795 4 FRA Fédération Française de Football 1,746 4 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 136

5 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 1,514 5 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 1,499 5 AUS Football Federation Australia Limited 112

6 ENG The Football Association 1,486 6 RSA South African Football Association 1,463 6 NOR Norges Fotballforbund 98

7 RSA South African Football Association 1,469 7 ENG The Football Association 1,389 7 ENG The Football Association 97
Koninklijke Nederlandse Koninklijke Nederlandse Koninklijke Nederlandse
8 NED 1,139 8 NED 1,055 8 NED 84
Voetbalbond Voetbalbond Voetbalbond
9 JPN Japan Football Association 1,045 9 JPN Japan Football Association 1,000 9 DEN Dansk Boldspil-Union 56

10 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 866 10 RUS Football Union of Russia 835 10 FRA Fédération Française de Football 49

11 RUS Football Union of Russia 847 11 CHN Chinese Football Association 700 11 JPN Japan Football Association 46

12 CHN Chinese Football Association 711 12 UKR Football Federation of Ukraine 691 12 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 27
Football Association of Czech
13 UKR Football Federation of Ukraine 692 13 CZE 671 13 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 24
Republic
Football Association of Czech
14 CZE 686 14 POL Polish Football Association 655 14 NZL New Zealand Soccer Inc 24
Republic
15 POL Polish Football Association 657 15 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 629 15 FIN Suomen Palloliitto 24
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de
16 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 653 16 AUT Österreichischer Fussball-Bund 585 16 BEL 21
Football-Association
Football Association of Czech
17 AUT Österreichischer Fussball-Bund 596 17 CHI Federación de Fútbol de Chile 470 17 CZE 15
Republic
18 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 553 18 IRN IR Iran Football Federation 439 18 SUI Schweizerischer Fussballverband 15

19 CHI Federación de Fútbol de Chile 478 19 SVK Slovak Football Association 428 19 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 15
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Federación Mexicana de Fútbol
20 IRN IR Iran Football Federation 450 20 BEL 422 20 MEX 13
Football-Association Asociación, A.C.

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 in in
YOUTH TOTAL 1000s MALE YOUTH 1000s FEMALE YOUTH in 1000s

1 USA US Soccer Federation 3,907 1 USA US Soccer Federation 2,344 1 USA US Soccer Federation 1,563

2 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 2,082 2 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 1,845 2 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 407

3 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 1,347 3 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 1,345 3 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 237

4 RSA South African Football Association 1,300 4 RSA South African Football Association 1,300 4 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 107

5 FRA Fédération Française de Football 1,034 5 FRA Fédération Française de Football 1,006 5 AUS Football Federation Australia Limited 84

6 ENG The Football Association 820 6 ENG The Football Association 750 6 NOR Norges Fotballforbund 83

7 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 716 7 UKR Football Federation of Ukraine 658 7 ENG The Football Association 70

8 UKR Football Federation of Ukraine 659 8 JPN Japan Football Association 604 8 NED Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond 43

9 JPN Japan Football Association 629 9 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 554 9 DEN Dansk Boldspil-Union 42

10 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 557 10 NED Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond 467 10 FRA Fédération Française de Football 28

11 NED Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond 510 11 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 415 11 JPN Japan Football Association 25

12 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 419 12 CHN Chinese Football Association 373 12 NZL New Zealand Soccer Inc 19

13 CHN Chinese Football Association 383 13 CHI Federación de Fútbol de Chile 325 13 FIN Suomen Palloliitto 17

14 CHI Federación de Fútbol de Chile 327 14 IND All India Football Federation 311 14 SUI Schweizerischer Fussballverband 11

15 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 320 15 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 309 15 CHN Chinese Football Association 10
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de
16 IND All India Football Federation 314 16 ARG Asociación del Fútbol Argentino 231 16 BEL 8
Football-Association
Federación Mexicana de Fútbol
17 AUS Football Federation Australia Limited 300 17 AUT Österreichischer Fussball-Bund 217 17 MEX 7
Asociación, A.C.
18 NOR Norges Fotballforbund 273 18 AUS Football Federation Australia Limited 216 18 NCA Federación Nicaragüense de Fútbol 7

19 ARG Asociación del Fútbol Argentino 231 19 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 213 19 IRL The Football Association of Ireland 7

20 AUT Österreichischer Fussball-Bund 222 20 CZE Football Association of Czech Republic 205 20 KEN Kenya Football Federation 5

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007

 in in
REFEREES 1000s CLUBS 1000s PROFESSIONALS total

1 JPN Japan Football Association 190 1 ENG The Football Association 40 1 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 16,200

2 USA US Soccer Federation 140 2 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 29 2 ENG The Football Association 6,000
Federación Mexicana de Fútbol
3 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 81 3 GER Deutscher Fussball-Bund 26 3 MEX 4,593
Asociación, A.C.
4 RUS Football Union of Russia 37 4 FRA Fédération Française de Football 19 4 TUR Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu 4,491
Real Federación Española de
5 ENG The Football Association 33 5 ESP 18 5 SCO The Scottish Football Association 4,132
Fútbol
6 FRA Fédération Française de Football 28 6 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 16 6 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 3,541

7 ITA Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio 25 7 RUS Football Union of Russia 14 7 ARG Asociación del Fútbol Argentino 3,530

8 CHN Chinese Football Association 22 8 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 7 8 RUS Football Union of Russia 3,274

9 CAN The Canadian Soccer Association 20 9 SCO The Scottish Football Association 7 9 UKR Football Federation of Ukraine 2,206

10 IND All India Football Federation 18 10 IND All India Football Federation 7 10 NGA Nigeria Football Association 2,080

11 BRA Confederaçao Brasileira de Futebol 16 11 CHI Federación de Fútbol de Chile 6 11 FRA Fédération Française de Football 1,825

12 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 15 12 POL Polish Football Association 6 12 GRE Hellenic Football Federation 1,818

13 POL Polish Football Association 12 13 IRL The Football Association of Ireland 6 13 SWE Svenska Fotbollförbundet 1,700

14 ETH Ethiopian Football Federation 10 14 GRE Hellenic Football Federation 6 14 CHN Chinese Football Association 1,688

15 ESP Real Federación Española de Fútbol 10 15 USA US Soccer Federation 5 15 POR Federaçao Portuguesa de Futebol 1,663
Football Federation Australia Football Association of Czech
16 AUS 9 16 TUR Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu 4 16 CZE 1,558
Limited Republic
17 UKR Football Federation of Ukraine 8 17 BAN Bangladesh Football Federation 4 17 SRB Football Association of Serbia 1,500
Football Association of Czech
18 IRN IR Iran Football Federation 7 18 CZE 4 18 USA US Soccer Federation 1,463
Republic
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Koninklijke Nederlandse
19 BEL 7 19 NED 4 19 UZB Uzbekistan Football Federation 1,400
Football-Association Voetbalbond
Koninklijke Nederlandse Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de
20 NED 7 20 ARG Asociación del Fútbol Argentino 3 20 BEL 1,399
Voetbalbond Football-Association

FIFA Communications Division, Information Services, 31.05.2007