Nicaraguan Soccer Teams

The most popular sport in the world is not the most popular sport in Nicaragua. According to Nicaragua.com, baseball is the country's national sport and its most played. The country's national team's success, including a landmark event in 2009, has helped to raise soccer's profile in the country.

Men's National Team

Nicaragua's national soccer team qualified for its first international tournament in 2009, earning a place in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cup. According to the national team's website, Nicaragua beat Guatemala in Central American Football Union match to qualify. It lost three consecutive matches in the tournament, but raised hopes for the future. It made an early exit from the qualifying tournament for 2010 FIFA World Cup, losing its first two games. Guatemala avenged the loss in 2011, defeating Nicaragua to earn the final spot in that year's Gold Cup.

Women's National Team

Nicaragua also sponsors a women's national team, which has received support from the charity Soccer Without Borders. According to its 2009 annual report, Soccer Without Borders offered equipment and monetary support to the team, with the goal of developing a national league for women and hiring a full-time national team director. It attempted to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2006 and 2010, failing to advance out of the Central American qualifying tournament each time.

Under-20 Teams

Nicaragua's national team feeder system has experienced similar luck on the international stage. Its men's program was shut out in two matches in CONCACAF's 2011 U-20 Championships, losing 1-0 to Panama and 4-0 to Costa Rica. The women's team opened the tournament with scoreless tie against El Salvador, before posting two consecutive 4-2 losses to its neighbor nation.

Club Soccer

Nicaragua has more than 135 club teams nationwide according to the website Club Soccer. Ten teams play in the top-level Primera Division, with 12 teams in the second division and 14 in the third division. The rest play in rural leagues throughout the nation. The most successful team in Nicaraguan soccer is Real Esteli FC. The club won its first national championship in 1965 and earned seven titles between 1991 to 2009. The club has worked to develop the sport in the country, joining forces with European club Real Madrid to develop a soccer academy and school for children in Esteli.