A love affair with soccer, in pictures

Story highlights

View photos that illustrate the world's love affair with soccer

Whether we call it soccer or football, the sport seems to bring cultures together

Get tips for shooting your own soccer photos at Human to Hero

And submit your best shot at CNN iReport

CNN  — 

The World Cup is the world’s most widely viewed sporting event, according to FIFA. It seems the world (yes, even the U.S.) has a love affair with soccer that runs deep and transcends cultural differences.

Click through the photos above to see 11 moments of joy in soccer games and practices around the world. Smile, and then go down to the pub to take in a World Cup game or down to the park to kick the ball around.

And if you want to take spirited and jubilant soccer photos like the ones above, visit our main Human to Hero page for a masterclass in sports photography.