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. The objective of the game is to score goals by getting a ball into the opposing team’s net. Players primarily use their feet to maneuver the ball, but they can also use other parts of their body except for their arms and hands; only the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball within the penalty area.

The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with a goal at each end. Matches are typically 90 minutes long, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with additional time for stoppages. The sport is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and overseen by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) at the international level.

Soccer is the most popular sport globally, with millions of fans and players, and major competitions including the FIFA World Cup and various domestic leagues. The sport emphasizes skill, teamwork, and strategy, making it a highly dynamic and engaging game.