As a sports enthusiast with a deep understanding of global sports culture, I can tell you that determining the most watched sport in the world can be a complex task due to the varying popularity of sports across different regions and the methods used to measure viewership. However, we can look at several indicators such as the number of fans, television viewership, and the global reach of the sport to get a clearer picture.

Step 1: English Answer

When considering the most watched sport globally, Association Football, commonly known as soccer, stands out as the frontrunner. The sport boasts an estimated 4 billion fans worldwide, which is an astounding number when compared to other sports. The FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle event in soccer, is watched by billions of viewers across the globe, making it one of the most-watched sporting events.

Soccer's popularity is not confined to a single region; it is a truly global phenomenon. The sport has a massive following in Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and even in countries where it might not be the number one sport, it still has a significant presence. The sport's simplicity, requiring only a ball and a space to play, contributes to its widespread accessibility and appeal.

Other sports like cricket, with an estimated 2.5 billion fans, are incredibly popular in countries like India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, but their global reach is not as extensive as soccer's. The Cricket World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL) draw massive audiences, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.

Field Hockey is another sport with a large fan base, claiming 2 billion fans. It is particularly popular in countries such as India, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. However, despite its large fan base, field hockey does not have the same level of global media coverage or international tournaments that draw viewership on a par with soccer.

Tennis, with 1 billion fans, is a highly popular individual sport with a significant international presence. Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon, the French Open, the US Open, and the Australian Open are watched by millions of viewers worldwide.

Basketball has been growing in popularity, especially with the rise of the NBA in the United States and the increasing interest in international players. It has an estimated 825 million fans and is particularly popular in the United States, China, and across Europe.

Baseball is a significant sport in countries like the United States, Japan, and the Dominican Republic, with an estimated 500 million fans. It has a dedicated following but does not have the same level of international viewership as soccer.

Volleyball, with 900 million fans, is another sport with a strong international presence, especially on the beach volleyball scene. The sport is popular in countries across Europe, South America, and Asia.

Table Tennis, despite having a smaller fan base of 875 million fans, is extremely popular in Asia, particularly in China, and has been gaining more attention worldwide.

In conclusion, while all these sports have their dedicated fan bases and significant viewership, soccer stands out as the most watched sport in the world due to its immense global fan base, the frequency of matches and tournaments, and the widespread media coverage it receives.

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The Most Popular Sports in the WorldBaseball - 500 Million Fans. ... Basketball - 825 Million Fans. ... Table Tennis - 875 Million Fans. ... Volleyball - 900 Million Fans. ... Tennis - 1 Billion Fans. ... Field Hockey - 2 Billion Fans. ... Cricket - 2.5 Billion Fans. ... Association Football (Soccer) - 4 Billion Fans. Association football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in the world.More items...read more >>