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FIFA World Cup 2026 and Sports Leagues around the world - EPL, NBA, IPL, NFL, MLB, NHL

The FIFA World Cup 2026 started in the shadow of its biggest senior stars Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), and Neymar (Brazil).  However, the 2026 World Cup is also one where the new guard is shining, heralded by Lamine Yamal (Spain), Jude Bellingham (England), Kylian Mbappé (France), and Erling Haaland (Norway). 

National Sports

One statement by the commentator comparing two countries during the telecast of the FIFA World Cup soccer match between Portugal and Spain stood out — the population of Portugal is just over 10 million, and Spain’s is four to five times that.

Well, that can be considered a very common statistic to compare, unless you put it in context with the most populous country, India, with a population of 1.4 billion. The Indian team did not even qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

Sports Leagues Across the World


If you are watching FIFA in the USA, you have undoubtedly seen how much time is spent during studio panel discussions talking about the US teams' chances and US players' history, which eats into the game telecast airtime. However, the USA has never won the FIFA World Cup.

But this is not unusual, as I am watching the game in the US. The FIFA World Cup fever is all around. However, let us move from national sports and World Cups to discuss something more integral about the Sports Leagues across the world

How does the USA fare when it comes to Sports, or more importantly, Sports Leagues across the world?

By the amount of money involved, the National Football League (NFL) leads the pack, followed by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). All three from the USA.

Then comes the English Premier League (EPL) from England (UK). In fifth position, there is competition between the Indian Premier League (IPL – Cricket) played in India and the National Hockey League (NHL) played in the USA and Canada.

Sports Leagues that generate the most money:

  1. National Football League (NFL) – USA, American football
  2. Major League Baseball (MLB) - USA
  3. National Basketball Association (NBA) - USA
  4. English Premier League (EPL) - England (UK), Football (Soccer)
  5. Indian Premier League (IPL) – India, Cricket
  6. National Hockey League (NHL) – USA, Canada, Ice hockey

Sports Leagues by global popularity:

  1. National Basketball Association (NBA) - USA
  2. Indian Premier League (IPL) – India, Cricket
  3. English Premier League (EPL) - England (UK), Football
  4. National Football League (NFL) – USA, American football
  5. Major League Baseball (MLB) - USA

Fastest-growing Sports League Across the World

Football (Soccer) is shining in the aura of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the fastest-rising tag belongs to the Indian Premier League from India. TV and streaming audiences, billion-dollar media rights, global player auctions — all point to IPL’s rising status. The IPL, despite being one of the youngest major sports leagues (founded in 2008), did in two decades what the NFL (1920), the NBA (1946), and the MLB (American League in 1901) did over decades, or even a century.

IPL’s media rights value (per match) is second only to the NFL on a per-match basis. Broadcast rights value is higher than the English Premier League's previous domestic rights deal on a per-match basis. With a league valuation of about $18.5 billion (as of 2025), the IPL is one of the world's most valuable sports leagues. IPL has achieved this with a season length of only two months, generating revenues comparable to those of leagues that operate for 8–10 months.

Although cricket originated in England, it is India that made a Cricket League that rose to the top. Well, the Indian Premier League stood on the shoulders of giants like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)’s Twenty20 Cup (2003), Australia’s World Series Cricket (1977), and England’s Gillette Cup (1963).

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Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA

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