Germany
Germany is famous for many things—its excellent beer, tuition-free education, and world-class soccer. The national team was once officially listed as “Germany FR (FRG),” but after 1990 it was simplified to “Germany (GER).” Over the years, the squad has proven to be one of the most dominant in the world, securing four World Cup victories.
Of course, the team’s passionate supporters play a huge role in its spirit. During the 2010 World Cup at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, one German fan in particular stole the spotlight while cheering for her team in their match against Australia.
Poland
At the 2018 World Cup, female fans drew plenty of attention—so much so that many spectators couldn’t take their eyes off them. In fact, some even complained that these striking supporters were stealing the spotlight from the actual matches on the field.
One standout was a woman cheering for Poland’s national team. Poland has taken part in seven FIFA World Cup tournaments, starting with its debut in 1938. The team’s greatest achievements came in 1974 and 1982, when it secured bronze medals. However, after losing its momentum on the international stage in 1986, Poland has yet to match those successes in later World Cups.
Portugal
Portuguese fans might be some of the most passionate in the world! Their love for soccer is incredible to witness. During the 2018 World Cup, supporters Carlos Brum and Pedro Lobotomy drove an astonishing 7,000 kilometers from Lisbon to Russia just to back their national team. Their dedication to both the sport and their country was nothing short of inspiring.
The fans’ energy fueled Portugal to a win over Morocco and a hard-fought draw against long-time rivals Spain. At the time, this enthusiasm reflected in the rankings as well, with Portugal sitting sixth in the FIFA men’s standings in 2018. By October 2022, however, the team had slipped slightly to ninth place.
South Africa
South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural diversity make it one of the world’s top travel destinations. With its many national parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites, it has long been a favorite among tourists.
Beyond its natural beauty, the country also has a national soccer team worth admiring. After a decades-long absence from international play, the team returned to the global stage in 1992. South Africa also made history as the first African nation to host a World Cup. Considering this journey, it’s no wonder South African fans cheer with such passion and pride—just like this woman captured in the stands.
Australia
You might already know that Australia’s national team, the “Socceroos,” has managed to defeat soccer powerhouses and former world champions like Uruguay, France, and Argentina, and even held Brazil to a draw. What’s less talked about, though, is how much of that success can be credited to the sheer passion of their fans.
Although the team’s performance at the 2018 World Cup wasn’t particularly impressive, the supporters never lost heart—celebrating their players with beers in hand and unwavering enthusiasm. Back then, Australia was ranked 41st in the FIFA men’s standings, but by October 2022, the team had climbed up slightly to 38th place.
Italy
The Tifosi are often considered some of the most devoted fans in the world, supporting one of the most successful national teams in soccer history. Their cheers have carried Italy to four FIFA World Cup victories, two European Championship titles, and countless second- and third-place finishes—likely more than any other team. Their passion is so intense that many say the Tifosi truly put the “fan” in fanatic.
Known as “Gli Azzurri,” the Italian squad last lifted the World Cup trophy in 2006, the same year they reached 2nd place in the FIFA men’s rankings. By 2022, Italy was still holding strong, ranked sixth in the world.
Netherlands
The Dutch are famous for their love of the color orange, which has long been the nation’s symbolic color, tracing back to the royal House of Orange-Nassau. It’s also tied to the name of their national soccer team, with fans proudly donning orange outfits whenever the squad takes the field.
That tradition is why this supporter showed up dressed head-to-toe in orange, proudly displaying patriotism while cheering for the Netherlands, which secured a spot in the 2022 World Cup. Interestingly, the country is even credited with cultivating the carrot into the bright orange variety we know today.
USA
Few national soccer fans match the enthusiasm of Americans when it comes to the sport. In fact, at the 2018 World Cup, U.S. supporters purchased more tickets than any other country except for host nation Russia.
That same energy was evident during the 2014 World Cup, where—even in a defeat against Belgium—the Americans showcased their unwavering spirit, reflecting the determination often associated with the American Dream. By October 2022, the U.S. men’s national team had climbed to 16th in the FIFA men’s rankings, an improvement from their 27th-place standing in 2014.
Costa Rica
A quick search for some of the most eye-catching fans at the World Cup is likely to turn up this woman. Supporting Costa Rica, she drew plenty of attention in the stands. After all, when cheering for the most successful national soccer team in Central America, it’s only fitting to make a statement.
Costa Rica is the only Central American team to have appeared in five FIFA World Cup tournaments. Their best showing came in 2014, when they topped a group that included three former World Cup champions: Uruguay, Italy, and England.
Switzerland
Switzerland is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative nations and ranks second globally for life expectancy. While it’s perhaps best known for its ski resorts, chocolates, and cheeses, the country’s citizens enjoy remarkable wealth, boasting the highest wealth per capita in the world. This prosperity is likely linked to Switzerland’s status as a major global economic center.
While Switzerland is often recognized for its economic prowess, the country is also deeply passionate about sports, especially soccer. Each weekend, more than 10,000 soccer matches take place, drawing tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Additionally, Switzerland boasts over 270,000 licensed soccer players across all levels of the sport.
Mexico
Opinions about Mexico may vary, but one thing is hard to dispute: its national soccer team is among the world’s elite. Mexico is one of only six countries to have qualified for seventeen World Cups, achieving this streak consecutively since 1994.
Alongside Brazil, Mexico is one of just two nations to consistently advance past the group stage in the last seven World Cups. With a record like this, it’s no wonder the team has passionate fans willing to go to great lengths to support it—especially when many of them are as easy on the eyes as they are dedicated.
Argentina
A quick look into Argentina immediately reveals the nation’s deep passion for soccer. With world-renowned stars like Lionel Messi—a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and captain of the national team—there’s never a shortage of excitement on the field.
Given the team’s success, it’s no surprise that Argentine fans go all out to show their support. They proudly wear the country’s colors and cheer loudly at every World Cup match. This enthusiastic woman, for instance, clearly looks thrilled to watch Argentina’s players in action.
Serbia
Serbia is renowned for producing over 17 Roman emperors, a testament to its rich cultural heritage. This history also makes the country a popular destination for travelers interested in its past. Known officially as the Republic of Serbia, its capital, Belgrade, has been inhabited for around 7,000 years, highlighting the nation’s long-standing historical significance.
It’s no surprise that influential figures like Nikola Tesla, Mihajlo Pupin, Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, and Mihailo Petrović trace their roots back to Serbia. The country is also famous for its warm hospitality, which helps cultivate a passionate and dedicated fan base for its national soccer team.
Russia
Russia may be known for some controversial aspects, but it also has plenty to be proud of. As the world’s largest country and one of the seven major global powers, it might surprise some to learn that Russia has a national soccer team that has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 11 times.
The team has been part of FIFA since 1912, making its tournament debut in 1958. It has even achieved a fourth-place finish once. Throughout its World Cup appearances, the Russian squad has consistently enjoyed the support of beautiful and enthusiastic fans in the stands.
Belgium
The Belgian national team’s nickname, the “Red Devils,” truly reflects its fans, who are as fierce as they are striking. When you pair these passionate supporters with star players like Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, the result is a well-oiled soccer powerhouse capable of challenging any opponent.
Given this strength, their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup came as no surprise, nor did their top FIFA ranking at the time. With a second-place ranking in 2022, it’s clear that Belgium’s national team remains a force to be reckoned with.
Paraguay
Paraguay, located in South America between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia, is often called “Corazón de América,” or the “Heart of America,” and is considered more culturally homogeneous than many of its neighbors.
The country boasts a skilled national team, which was ranked 50th in the 2021 FIFA men’s standings, and passionate, patriotic fans. The woman pictured here shows her support by wearing an outfit inspired by the Paraguayan flag—a red, white, and blue triband adopted in 1842, influenced by the French Tricolor, and symbolizing independence and liberty.
Denmark
In soccer, a team’s ability to compete with strong opponents often comes down to two factors: the talent of its players and the energy of its fans. While Denmark’s squad is undeniably skilled, much of their success can also be credited to their passionate supporters. With enthusiasm that belies their charming appearances, these fans helped drive the team to a 1-0 victory over Peru at the 2018 World Cup.
By 2022, Denmark held the 10th spot in the FIFA men’s rankings, a position it has consistently maintained since 2018.
Chile
The 2010 World Cup featured many striking fans in the stands, including this beautiful woman supporting Chile. Known for being one of the longest countries in the world, with a coastline stretching approximately 6,500 kilometers, Chile also boasts a strong and competitive national soccer team.
Chile’s national team has competed in nine World Cup tournaments. In 1962, they had the honor of hosting the FIFA World Cup and achieved third place—their best-ever finish in the tournament. Surprisingly, however, Chile did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
England
England is renowned not only for hosting some of the world’s most prestigious universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, but also for producing leading scientists. Many technological and scientific breakthroughs are credited to figures like Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking.
Beyond their contributions to science and technology—including inventing the World Wide Web—England is also known for its strong athletic tradition and devoted sports fans. For the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, over 10,000 tickets were purchased by English supporters. Their dedication is on full display in fans like these two, who are dressed alike and have their faces painted with the national flag.
Japan
Beauty isn’t just about physical appearance, and Japanese soccer fans demonstrated this vividly at the 2018 World Cup. Even after a disappointing loss, these dedicated supporters grabbed trash bags and helped clean the stadium alongside the staff, showing remarkable sportsmanship and respect.
Actions like these highlight the incredible resilience of the human spirit, a quality we consider the highest form of beauty. This determination not only earns admiration worldwide but is reflected in Japan’s FIFA ranking, which climbed from 50th in 2018 to 23rd in 2022.
Saudi Arabia
It takes a truly remarkable group of fans to lift spirits after a crushing 5-0 loss to Russia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With their unwavering support, the Saudi Arabian national team bounced back to defeat a strong Egyptian side led by the legendary Mohamed Salah. Ultimately, Saudi Arabia finished third in their group.
The team was ranked 69th in the 2018 FIFA standings but improved to 53rd by 2022. Their highest ranking to date came in 2004, when they reached 28th place.
Senegal
Senegalese soccer fans brought pride to Africa with their behavior at the 2018 World Cup. Not only did they cheer their team to a surprising 2-1 victory over Poland, but they also followed the example of Japanese fans by cleaning up the stadium afterward. Their sportsmanship earned them global respect and a fair share of fame.
A strong competitor on the international stage, Senegal emerged as the highest-ranked African team at the tournament, securing 23rd place in the FIFA standings. By 2022, they had climbed five spots to 18th, continuing to lead among African nations.
Colombia
The cheers, the songs, the vibrant colors, the elaborate costumes, and the sheer size of the crowd—South American fans take their support to an entirely new level. Colombian supporters certainly live up to this reputation. Their passion was on full display during a 3-0 victory over Poland, which featured star players like Lewandowski, as well as in their win against Senegal, Africa’s highest-ranked team at the tournament.
These strong performances earned Colombia 12th place in the 2018 FIFA rankings, climbing to 10th in 2019. By 2022, the team held the 17th spot in the FIFA men’s rankings.
Egypt
In 2018, Egypt’s early exit from the tournament limited the opportunity for their passionate fans to shine—especially since soccer spectators were banned from attending matches in stadiums across the country. Nevertheless, supporters still rallied behind the Pharaohs during their final game against Saudi Arabia, even though it ended in defeat for Egypt.
Undeterred by their World Cup disappointment, Egyptian fans celebrated their team’s 6-0 victory over Niger in the next competition. By October 2022, Egypt had climbed to 39th in the FIFA rankings, an improvement from their 56th-place standing in 2018.
Ecuador
Ecuador is famously the only country named after a geographical feature—the Equator. Positioned closest to space, its official name, República del Ecuador, translates to “Republic of the Equator,” reflecting the fact that the Equator passes directly through the nation.
Interestingly, Ecuador has a monument marking a spot where standing on it places you in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Beyond this unique landmark, the country boasts a strong women’s soccer team and devoted, striking fans like these. In July 2022, the team showcased their skill with a 6-1 victory over Bolivia.
Croatia
“Breathtaking” barely captures the impact of the Croatian fans who rallied behind their team at the 2018 World Cup. The team’s impressive victories over Denmark, Belgium, Russia, and England en route to the final show just how formidable players can be when fueled by the energy of passionate and stunning supporters.
Although Croatia didn’t win the World Cup, reaching the final against France was a remarkable achievement for a small nation. Their strong performance boosted their FIFA ranking from 17th in 2014 to fourth in 2018.
Slovakia
For nature enthusiasts, Slovakia is an ideal destination. Renowned for its national parks, traditional folk architecture, and scenic hiking trails, the country also boasts hundreds of caves, several of which are UNESCO-protected sites.
Slovakians, and visitors alike, also have the chance to support their national team at the World Cup. This is a relatively recent development, as Slovakia’s team is one of the newest in international soccer, formed after the split from the Czechoslovakia national team.
Algeria
Algeria is renowned for many reasons. As the largest country in Africa, it is also rich in petroleum and natural gas, ranking as a major exporter of both resources. Like most nations, Algeria has a national soccer team, giving its people a chance to proudly cheer for their country from the stands.
Algeria became a member of the International Federation of Association Football in 1964, less than two years after gaining independence. The national team most recently claimed the championship title at the FIFA Arab Cup and has since qualified for three additional World Cups following its debut in 1982.
Iran
Iran has made remarkable progress over the years. As the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, it is also celebrated for its rich art, architecture, and cultural heritage. Calligraphy, one of Iran’s specialties, likely explains the flawless body paint displayed by this fan.
Embroidered on her shirt was the number ten alongside a heart-shaped design—a number worn by Iranian players Sardar Azmoun and Karim Ansarifard in the 2021 national team squad. While her outfit is eye-catching and praiseworthy by many standards, in Iran it would be regarded as indecent attire.
France
From the grand boulevards of Paris to landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, France has always been captivated by beauty and perfection. It’s no wonder, then, that this fan stood out with her striking headgear paired perfectly with a matching scarf—an elegant color choice that complemented the French tricolor flag.
France holds the title of the world’s most visited country, largely due to Paris’ global reputation as the city of love. The French are also renowned wine connoisseurs, with the nation producing some of the most prestigious wines in history. Notably, a 1945 Romanee-Conti bottle sold to an Asian collector for an astonishing $558,000, making it the most expensive wine ever sold.
South Korea
While Taekwondo is recognized as South Korea’s national sport, the country is also active in others, including bullfighting, basketball, and baseball. Still, soccer remains the most popular. A 2021 poll of South Korean residents showed soccer leading with 25% of the votes, followed by baseball at 18.8%.
This helps explain why soccer supporters far outnumber fans of other sports in South Korea. And with the country’s renowned beauty standards—often linked to its global reputation as a hub for cosmetic surgery—it’s little wonder that many of its soccer fans, like these two, are exceptionally striking.
Uruguay
Despite being the second-smallest nation in South America, Uruguay has produced some of the world’s most celebrated soccer stars, including Luis Suárez. The country is equally renowned for its devoted and passionate fans, perfectly represented by the women in the photo, whose faces proudly reflect their love and support for the national team.
The Uruguayan national team is widely regarded as one of the most talented in global football. It comes as no surprise that they claimed victory in the very first World Cup in 1930. Since then, they have added to their legacy with multiple titles, including the 1970 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 China Cup.
Ghana
Ghana is home to the largest open-air market in West Africa, with its capital, Accra, ranked as the most expensive city on the continent. The country derives its name from a medieval West African empire formerly known as Wagadugu. Nestled between Togo, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso, Ghana also holds the distinction of being the first Sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence.
Rich in natural resources like gold and cocoa, Ghana is also celebrated for its warm hospitality toward both residents and visitors. The country’s strong sense of unity is evident in its sports achievements, having won the African Cup of Nations four times.
Brazil
Living in the largest country in South America, which spans four time zones, Brazilians are also famed for their deep passion for soccer. It is widely believed that at least nine out of ten Brazilians have played the sport at some point in their lives.
Brazilians are not only devoted to soccer but also boast one of the strongest national teams globally. They have claimed the FIFA World Cup title five times, more than any other nation. Adding to their success, the team enjoys the support of passionate and attractive fans cheering them on.