A survey by Nielsen shows that in Asia, with 54 percent of the population claiming to be football fans, Indonesia ranks top in love for football, followed by Vietnam with 52 percent.

Globally, the Nielsen Global Online Survey, conducted between March 8 and March 26, found that Brazil tops the world in its love for football (69 percent), then Portugal (60 percent), Egypt (56 percent), Indonesia (54 percent), Spain and Venezuela (53 percent), Vietnam (52 percent), Italy (48 percent) and India (47 percent).

More than half of the 27,000 people surveyed in 55 countries plan to follow the popular soccer tournament, which is played every four years and begins in South Africa on June 11, Nielsen said in the survey.

According to this firm, up to 55 percent of consumers in Asia-Pacific are following the World Cup 2010.

PV