ABSTRACT
The Nordic countries are seen as similar welfare societies with distinctive characteristics and shared values. They form an entity within the global football system, as they do in other international communities. Some of the similarities to be highlighted are a strong public administration as well as civil society for sport and physical activities; similar phases of change in the history of football; and, broadly speaking, their status within the global football system. Nevertheless, the Nordic model is not homogenous, and there are significant differences both between and within countries – and these are reflected in football as well. Key differences include the status of football compared to other sports; the popularity of football as a spectator sport; the number of football participants; the pace of development in women's football; and the level of professionalisation and commercialisation. In the 2000s, the Nordic countries are more football countries than ever before. They are usually not regarded as “great football countries”, but they have found success in major tournaments, actively shaped decision-making via sport diplomacy, and have increasingly acted as the conscience of the football world by speaking up for Nordic values and good governance.
