World Cup 2010: Top 10 Best Supported National Teams in World Football

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Which National team is the best supported in the world? Brazil? Germany? Argentina? Italy?

Not even close...and three of those didn't even feature in the top 10!

Every nation fancies themselves as being fanatical about their own team, driving them to glory, or more often, defeat.

Fans are the teams' 12th man, the buck doesn't stop with the team or the manager, it stops with them. They are the ones with the real power.

The power to decide the fate of players, managers, chairmen, and even whole clubs.

In short, fans are the life-blood of the sport.

Which National team inspires the most support?

The figures beside the countries' names represent the average attendance of a home fixture during World Cup Qualification.

Prepare to be surprised.

10. Scotland 48,477

While the Scots may be going through their worst run ever, and the once-great bastion of football has not produced a genuine world class talent in years, their fans have never deserted them.

Hampden Park does not hold the fear factor it once had over football, but it is still a place where you have to graft hard to get a result.

9. Australia 52,870

The Socceroos have just qualified for the World Cup for the third time, except this time the route they took was unusual to say the least.

The lads from Oz had to travel all over Asia after FIFA moved them from their traditional qualification zone because of the lack of competition.

With the added pressure of playing better teams, the Aussie fans showed up in great numbers.

Their home matches were spread between Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney as they achieved qualification, only losing once at home, to China.

8. Japan 53,107

2002 Fever hasn't dried up and gone away like so many trends in fashion-conscious Japan.

The Blue Samurai have built a massive following who travel the world in support of their team, and when they play at home, match tickets are as valuable as grass.

Japan's team is in the soccer-mad cities of Yokohama and Saitama for their qualifiers, and they usually sell out, regardless of how important the match is.

7. Brazil 53,335

There are always two reasons to watch Brazil in the World Cup, the beautiful football played to the Samba beat, and the beautiful creatures who create the Samba beat.

Always a good excuse for the TV Director to pan across the crowd...

6. Chile 54,470

It may come as a bit of a surprise that Brazil are not the number one supported team in the world, they're not even number one in South America.

That honor goes to Marcelo Bielsa's La Roja.

And if you've seen them play you'll know why they're supported so fervently. Playing an entertaining counter attacking style and led by Humberto Suazo, La Roja may yet surprise in South Africa.

5. Iran 55,428

Football support in Iran has come on leaps and bounds in the last five years.

The influence of films like 2006's Offside and 2008's Football Under Cover cannot be underestimated. While women may still be treated unequally, the women's movement in Iran has grasped football support and used it as a tool, to great effect, in furthering their cause.

4. Republic of Ireland 59,298

The smallest country in the top ten have the fourth highest support, taken a little further it means the Irish, per head of capita, are the most fanatical supporters in world football.

A small consolation for the Green Army not traveling to South Africa.

Gaelic games HQ, Croke Park, has become one of the top stadiums in Europe and is a sell out for every qualifier, all 75,000 seats.

Ireland's high average should fall dramatically next year though, when they move into the newly completed 50,000 seater Aviva Stadium.

3. France 64,130

While the French fans may have questioned Raymond Domenech and his management of Les Bleus, they never stayed away.

Despite their stumbling route to South Africa, the Stade De France is one of the most intimidating grounds in football. Only one team beat France in 90 minutes of action at the 81,000 seater, Ireland...

2. England 79,754

Eng-ger-lund may not have won a major tournament in over 44 years of hurt but their fans are amongst the most vocal in the world.

Fabio Capello's team will be well supported in South Africa, and being on the good side of the draw, that support could increase as the competition goes further...

1. Mexico 81,599

El Tri are the best supported team in world football. Based in football mad Mexico City for the vast majority of their matches, they have made the Azteca Stadium a fortress, a cauldron, and a hot-bed of fanatical support.

Mexico went unbeaten at home through their qualifying campaign and it remains to be seen how many of their fans will travel to South Africa. If they do come in force, Mexico could make the last eight, or further...