Football which/that is played

[thehammer]

Is there any difference in meaning? 'That' or 'which' which is correct?

1- Footbal, which is played by over 190 nations, is the most popular sport.

2- Footbal that is played by over 190 nations, is the most popular sport.

3- Footbal, played by over 190 nations, is the most popular sport.

 

[Barque]

None of them are natural without context, and the second suggests there's more than one type of football (there is) and only the one played by over 190 nations is the most popular.

If you just want to make a statement of fact and say which is the most popular sport in the world and assuming we're referring to association football (soccer):

Football is played by over 190 nations and is the most popular sport in the world.

You need "in the world" or something like that. Otherwise "most popular sport" doesn't mean anything. Most popular where?

Your sentences could work in a certain context but you haven't provided us any.

 

[emsr2d2]

Note the correct spelling of "football". You spelled it correctly in your title but incorrectly in all three example sentences.

 

[probus]

1 and 3 seem perfectly natural to me.

 

[Barque]

1 and 3 seem perfectly natural to me.

Ok, yes, I get you. From the reference to 190 nations, it obviously means "in the world".

But considering there's no context, wouldn't "in the world" be advisable?

 

[Tarheel]

I might say: "Football, which is played in over 190 nations, is the world's most popular sport”.

 

[Barque]

That's a concise and correct sentence.