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Countries and Their National Games Across the World

Check Countries and Their National Games, crucial for competitive exams. Learn each nation's unique sport and the significance of their national games provided in the article below.
authorImageParul Rishi19 Aug, 2025
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Countries and Their National Games

Countries and their National Games : Games were introduced to encourage people to participate, unite them as a nation, improve physical fitness, and provide entertainment. They have successfully fulfilled these goals and have been celebrated across nations for years. Some games are more popular in certain parts of the world and based on their popularity and historical significance, some countries have officially designated them as their national sport. Check Countries and their National Games provided in the page below.

Countries and Their National Games

Countries around the world have special sports or games called national games. These games are important because they show the culture and traditions of that country. Some national games are officially chosen by the government, while others are popular among the people. For example, India is known for field hockey and cricket, while Japan has sumo wrestling as a national sport. National games help people feel proud of their country and keep old sports alive.

List of Countries and Their National Games

Some sports become national games simply because people widely play and love them, like Gaelic games in Ireland or baseball in the USA. Others are officially declared by law, such as taekwondo in South Korea. To help with general knowledge, a complete list of countries and their national sports is made, showing both kinds those chosen by tradition and those by law, with the year they were established.

List of Countries and their National Games
Name of Countries National Games
Afghanistan Buzkashi ( DeFacto )
Antigua and Barbuda Cricket ( DeFacto )
Argentina Pato ( DeJure – 1953)
Australia Cricket ( DeFacto )
Bangladesh Kabaddi ( DeJure – 1972)
Barbados Cricket ( DeFacto )
Bermuda Cricket ( DeFacto )
Bhutan Archery ( DeJure – 1971)
Brazil Capoeira ( DeJure – 1972)
Bulgaria Weightlifting ( DeFacto )
Canada Ice hockey (Winter) & Lacrosse (Summer) ( DeJure – 1994)
Chile Chilean rodeo ( DeJure – 1962)
China Ping Pong (Table Tennis) ( DeFacto )
Cuba Baseball ( DeFacto )
Columbia Tejo ( DeJure – 2000)
Czech Republic Ice Hockey ( DeFacto )
Dominican Republic Baseball ( DeFacto )
England Cricket ( DeFacto )
France Football ( Defacto )
Haiti Soccer ( DeFacto )
Hungary Water Polo ( DeFacto )
India Field Hockey ( DeFacto ) (Otherwise Undeclared)
Israel Football ( DeFacto )
Italy Football ( DeFacto )
Indonesia Badminton ( DeFacto )
Lithuania Basketball ( DeFacto )
Iran Wrestling ( DeFacto )
Jamaica Cricket ( DeFacto )
Japan Sumo Wrestling ( DeFacto )
Malaysia Sepak Takraw ( DeFacto )
Mongolia Archery, Mongolian wrestling and horse riding (De Facto)
Mauritius Football ( DeFacto )
Mexico Charreria ( DeJure – 1933)
Nepal Dandi Biyo (Till 2017), Volleyball ( DeJure – 2017)
New Zealand Rugby ( DeFacto )
Norway Cross-country skiing ( DeFacto )
Namibia Rugby ( DeJure – 2018)
Pakistan Field Hockey ( DeFacto )
Philippines Arnis ( DeJure – 2009)
Poland Football ( DeFacto )
Peru Paleta Frontón  ( DeFacto )
Puerto Rico (united States) Paso Fino ( DeJure – 1966)
Russia Bandy ( DeFacto )
Scotland Golf ( DeFacto )
Serbia Volleyball, Football, basketball and water polo ( DeFacto )
Slovenia Alpine Skiing ( DeFacto )
South Korea Tae-kwon-do ( DeJure – 2018)
SriLanka Volleyball ( DeFacto )
Switzerland Shooting and Gymnastics ( DeFacto )
Tajikistan Gushtigiri- type of wrestling ( DeFacto )
Turkey Oil wrestling ( DeFacto )
USA Baseball ( DeFacto )
Uruguay Destrezas Criollas ( DeJure – 2006)
Venezuela Baseball ( DeFacto )

National Sports of India

India doesn't have a national game. Hockey was once considered India's National Game due to its historic Olympic success from 1928 to 1956. However, the Ministry of Sports Affairs has clarified that India doesnt have official National Sport. It's essential for exam candidates to be familiar with the national sports of various countries, along with other important games played there. 

Countries and Their National Games FAQs

Q1. What is a national game?

Ans. A national game is a sport or game that is officially recognised and promoted by a country as a symbol of its cultural heritage or national identity.

Q2. Do all countries have a national game?

Ans. No, not all countries have a designated national game.

Q3. Why do countries have national games?

Ans. National games are often chosen to represent the unique cultural and historical aspects of a country. They serve as a source of pride, unity, and identity for the nation's citizens.

Q4. Which country has national game cricket?

Ans: Cricket is the national game of England, Bermuda etc.

Q5. Which is national sport of China?

The national sport of China is table tennis.
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