The beautiful game
- TEXT MIMI STAVE
In the sand, on a field, in a quarry or on a modern pitch – if you’re passionate about soccer, you can play it anywhere. Our photo series has some wonderful examples. Enjoy the visual tour!
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAzil
Keeping the ball in the air while balancing a stack of sun beds is a real test of skill here on Copacabana Beach
ULUWATU, INDONESIA
In the southern part of Bali, quarry workers finish their workday with a little three-a-side
LANDSHUT, GERMANY
Those spectators are really corn stalks: This pitch was cut into the middle of cornfield
PARIS, FRANCE
Soccer brings cultures together, as these players in central Paris demonstrate
CHAGUARAMAS, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Half-time refreshment is just a few steps away here at Macqueripe Beach on Trinidad’s northern coast
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
Playing under a hot sun, the Al Mafoot MC amateurs stay cool in loose, light-colored garments
MANDALAY, MYANMAR
Strong defense: Youngsters kick the ball around outside a Buddhist pagoda
GSPON, SWITZERLAND
Europe’s highest-altitude soccer pitch (2008 meters) is only accessible by cable car. If the game is too boring, spectators can always enjoy the Alpine view
DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Yay, school’s out! But how do you assess the flight of the ball when clouds of sand are obscuring your vision?
KNIPPLA, SWEDEN
It can take a while to find the ball if a penalty shot goes wide, so 30 minutes of additional time are always given here
TZANEEN, SOUTH AFRICA
Look at that technique! The “grannies” in Nkowankowa Township train twice a week
Knowledge for playmakers
A standard pitch is 105 meters long and 68 meters wide.
On professional pitches, greenkeepers are tasked with keeping the grass between 28 and 30 millimeters tall.
An official-size soccer goal is 2.44 meters high and 7.32 meters wide.