Soccer

Soccer, also known as football in most countries outside of North America, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. It is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The objective of the game is to score by getting the ball into the opposing team’s goal, primarily using the feet, although players can use any part of their body except their arms and hands (goalkeepers can use their hands within their penalty area). The game consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with a halftime period in between.

Soccer is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at the international level, and it is one of the most popular sports around the world, known for its large following and celebration of major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup. The sport emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and skill, with players often trained in various techniques such as dribbling, shooting, and passing. Soccer is distinguished by its relatively simple rules and the minimal equipment required to play, making it accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.