Share
1 of 12
Whether you call it soccer or football, this game is beloved around the world. In the Dominican Republic, Misael Rincon's kids and their cousin "have World Cup fever!" Here, they race for the ball outside Rincon's Santo Domingo home. "My kids love the baseball but for a few days here [they] have replaced the bat and glove for a football," he said. Click through the gallery to see more joyful photos that illustrate the world's love affair with soccer. Courtesy Misael Rincon
Score! Cristian Catanescu's 9-year-old son celebrates after getting a goal on his family's terrace in Singapore. "Football brings joy to this boy! He changed places and continents several times and his best way to connect to local people is through football," said Catanescu. Courtesy Cristian Catanescu
A group of Free Syrian Army fighters in Aleppo, Syria, takes a break for a quick game of pick-up soccer. Photographer Reynaldo Leal captured the game while documenting the conflict in Syria in 2013. Courtesy Reynaldo Leal
This match took place in the courtyard of an abandoned elementary school in Syria, said Leal. "Everything had been so serious on the front lines that day, so I was surprised to find the fighters playing a pick-up game of football," he said. Courtesy Reynaldo Leal
A ball flies into the net during a youth training session in Singapore. "Parents hide in the shade while kids run around for hours. Hard to understand how can they take so much sun. They must be crazy about football," said Catanescu. Courtesy Cristian Catanescu
You can see the intensity and determination on these women's faces as they battle for the ball in a Westchester County, New York, soccer league. Courtesy Robert Ondrovic
Lauren Jockimo, 13, plays goalkeeper in the league. Here, she gives the ball a good punt after making a save. Courtesy Robert Ondrovic
These kids "have their game faces on" as they fight for the ball in Cebu, Philippines, says Clarson Fruelda. They're playing in an annual local soccer tournament with divisions for all ages. Courtesy Clarson Fruelda
"Imagine you drive to the middle of nowhere to deliver soccer balls to kids who never had one," said Ron Eisen. "After you make the delivery, a woman appears, without shoes, and has mad soccer skills!" Eisen, a volunteer with the charity Ball To All, photographed the woman in Shangani, Zimbabwe, as she demonstrated her prowess. He made a video, too.
Courtesy Courtesy Ron Eisen / Ball To All
Courtesy Courtesy Ron Eisen / Ball To All
William Hyndman flies through the air as he approaches the ball at a tournament in Phuket, Thailand. "William currently plays on a soccer team with teammates from Singapore, England, Japan, Australia, Romania, Canada and India," said his mom, Tracy. "Our mutual passion for soccer has brought this unlikely group together." Courtesy William Bain
William digs in as he plays sweeper in the Phuket tournament. Courtesy William Bain
Get 'em started early! Marie Sager's 4-year-old grandson, Mason Banks, practices his shot at a park in Studio City, California. Courtesy Marie Sager
