Soccer

Soccer, also known as football in most countries outside 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, which is achieved primarily through kicking the ball. The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with a goal at each end. Players can use any part of their bodies except their hands and arms to control the ball, although the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands within the penalty area.

Soccer is governed by a set of rules called the Laws of the Game, maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The sport is organized at various levels, from local amateur leagues to professional clubs and national teams, culminating in international competitions like the FIFA World Cup. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with a massive following and participation across all continents. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, accessibility, and the excitement of teamwork and strategic play.