| In most parts of the world, if you say the | | | | American television stations. There has been |
| word "football" people assume you are | | | | such interest in American football in Mexico |
| referring to soccer, the most popular and | | | | that the NFL opened an office in Mexico City |
| most widely followed sport in the world. | | | | in 1997 to supervise fan development, |
| However, American football is starting to | | | | marketing, public relations and special |
| spark more interest overseas. The National | | | | events. The NFL also publishes a |
| Football League actively promotes | | | | Spanish-language web site targeted to Mexican |
| American-style football overseas, sending | | | | fans.American football is also gaining |
| players as ambassadors and holding pre-season | | | | popularity in Europe. In 1991, the National |
| games in Europe, Mexico and Japan. Games are | | | | Football League backed a European league |
| broadcast in many countries and the Super | | | | called the World League of Football. From |
| Bowl is broadcast to almost every country in | | | | that emerged NFL Europe, a six-team league |
| the world.American football is played in | | | | that serves as a spring developmental league |
| almost every continent on the planet | | | | for National Football League teams in the |
| including North and South America, Asia, | | | | United States. Five of NFL Europe's teams are |
| Europe and the Pacific Rim nations. The | | | | based in Germany and one is in the |
| International Federation of American Football | | | | Netherlands. The National Football League not |
| is the official international governing body | | | | only uses the NFL Europe to develop new |
| of American Football and oversees 45 member | | | | players, but also to develop and test new |
| organizations. Beginning in 1999, the | | | | rules and regulations.American football has |
| International Federation of American Football | | | | always been popular in Canada although Canada |
| has also sponsored a world cup of American | | | | does have its own Canadian Football League |
| football with Japan taking the honors in both | | | | which plays with slightly different rules |
| 1999 and 2003.American football has also | | | | than American football. However, the National |
| grown in popularity in Mexico, where many | | | | Football League continues to reach out to |
| households are able to watch games on | | | | Canadian fans. |