The 2022 FIFA World Cup is currently being held in Qatar this winter and, with both Canada and the USA competing in one of the biggest sporting events around, the event is sure to draw a lot of attention from soccer fans around the world. But can ice hockey compete with the global appeal of the FIFA World Cup? Let’s take a look at how ice hockey stacks up against soccer’s biggest event.

Windsor - Nov. 29, 2022: The 2022 FIFA World Cup is currently being held in Qatar this winter and, with both Canada and the USA competing in one of the biggest sporting events around, the event is sure to draw a lot of attention from soccer fans around the world.

But can ice hockey compete with the global appeal of the FIFA World Cup? Let’s take a look at how ice hockey stacks up against soccer’s biggest event.

Ice Hockey vs Soccer Popularity

When it comes to global popularity, there is no contest between ice hockey and soccer. Soccer is by far the more popular sport, with over 4 billion fans around the world. In comparison, ice hockey has only about 10 million fans globally. This huge difference in fan base is due to a few factors, including accessibility and local culture. Soccer is more accessible than ice hockey because it requires fewer materials, can be played on any surface, and can be enjoyed even by those who lack the money to buy expensive equipment or join an expensive league. Additionally, soccer has been embraced by many different cultures around the world which has enabled its growth over time.

Additionally, the ball sport can be argued to be more popular due to the number of sports betting opportunities that are now possible to experience. Fans who use the bet365 referral code available in Ontario are able to find football matches being played almost 24/7 across various countries in the world, while ice hockey is perhaps limited in this regard, too.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been taking place in Qatar this winter and has continued to deliver a number of exciting international matches so far. It has featured 32 teams from all over the world that have been vying for glory and millions of passionate fans watching from their homes or in stadiums around Qatar. With such huge appeal, it is unlikely that any other sporting event could compete with this level of excitement, even in 2022.

Ice Hockey's Global Reach

Despite its limited global reach compared to soccer, ice hockey still has an impressive following in certain parts of the world. For example, ice hockey is especially popular in Canada and Europe where temperatures dip low enough for outdoor rinks during winter months.

Additionally, countries like Russia have been investing heavily into their national teams as they strive for gold medals at international competitions like the Olympics, making them a force to be reckoned with on international stages. Ice hockey might not be able to compete directly with soccer’s appeal but it certainly offers unique opportunities for enthusiasts all over the planet!

Final Thoughts

While there may never be another sporting event that can rival the worldwide appeal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, there are still plenty of opportunities for sports enthusiasts all over the globe to enjoy games like ice hockey on an international stage. Ice hockey may never reach quite as large an audience as soccer does but its devoted following shows that there are still plenty of people who appreciate its unique characteristics across different countries and cultures!