Soccer

Soccer, known as football in most countries outside North America, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. It is played on a rectangular field, commonly referred to as a pitch, with a goal at each end. The objective of the game is to score by getting a ball into the opposing team’s goal. Players primarily use their feet to move the ball, but they can use any part of their body except their arms and hands, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who is allowed to use their hands within a designated area known as the penalty area.

The game is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and follows a standard set of rules known as the Laws of the Game. Each match typically lasts 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with additional time added for stoppages. Soccer is notable for its global popularity, being played and followed by millions of people worldwide and featuring major international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup. The sport emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and skill, with players often developing specialized roles such as forwards, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers.