Duplays has been organising leagues and tournaments in the Gulf state since 2007.

BBC: Expats see business boom in Mid East

Leagues and tournaments draw larger audiences to a sport, as athletes and teams start to be imagined as representing cities and, on a bigger stage, nations.

NEWYORKER: Glory Days

As club owners cash in on the robust global demand for live sporting events, jet-lagged athletes could become a more regular feature in popular leagues and tournaments.

ECONOMIST: Travel and athletic performance: Road warriors | The

They joined Jewish scout troops, competed in Jewish football leagues and chess tournaments.

CNN: The Ghosts of Shanghai

Key features of the new ESPNFC application include personalisation, allowing football fans to personalise the app by their favourite leagues, teams and tournaments, and, exclusive video and audio from ESPN's various studio-based discussion and analysis shows.

ENGADGET: ESPN launches ESPNFC site and apps, updates ESPN Goals with match previews, highlights

Regardless, the global appeal of soccer, which extends beyond the World Cup to tournaments like the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, the Bristish, Italian, and Spanish leagues, and many others, draws some of the largest crowds, and with them, important sponsors.

FORBES: 2018 And 2022 FIFA World Cups To Russia And Qatar: U.S. Loses Another Bid