How Soccer Became the World Cup's Lingua Franca As the world watched in awe during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, it became clear that soccer had transcended its status as a sport to become a global language.
With an estimated 3. 5 billion fans worldwide, soccer has become the most widely consumed and understood form of entertainment on the planet. But how did this happen?
What historical and socio economic factors contributed to soccer's widespread popularity, allowing it to become the lingua franca of international communication?