Globalization in the field of sport is becoming increasingly evident, as its commercialization has reached high level, and sport is beginning to develop according to the laws of business. The article deals with the main features and characteristics of this phenomenon in football. The historical roots of the formed uneven development of the world football space are investigated. The main attention is focused on European football, in which modern trends in the development of sport are seen most clearly. The place of Russia in the world and European football, which Russia occupied on the eve of the World Cup 2018, was analyzed. As the source of information the annual reports of UEFA and audit firms were used.