I am from the netherlands and it is not really the game which is so important. It's the entire happening. With soccer you have a game that every body can afford, is easy to learn en has no boundaries.
My entire family doesn't watch the normal games in the weekend, but the love supporting there country when the play international matches. It really bonds everybody young and old, Islam or christian, ect ect, together.
I Love Soccer and these effects on my society