What are the most and least popular sports played globally?

 What are the most and least popular sports played globally?

The most popular sports played globally, in terms of fan following, are:

1. Soccer (Association Football): With a staggering fan base of over 3.5 billion people worldwide, Soccer is the undisputed champion. The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is the most watched sporting event in the world [1].
2. Cricket: Particularly popular in South Asian and Commonwealth nations, Cricket boasts an estimated fan base of 2.5 billion people. The sport has a complex set of rules and matches can last for several days [1].
3. Field Hockey: This team sport, played on grass or artificial turf, enjoys a global following of around 2 billion fans. Although less popular in North America, it has a strong presence in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia

4. Determining the least popular sport is difficult, as popularity can vary greatly by region. However, some sports with a more niche following include