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 spherical ball into the opposing team’s net, primarily using any part of the body except the hands and arms; only the goalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball within their penalty area. The game is played on a rectangular field, commonly referred to as a pitch, which is usually made of grass or artificial turf.

Soccer is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which oversees international competitions including the FIFA World Cup, the sport’s most prestigious tournament. The game is known for its global popularity, played by millions of people in various forms across different age groups and skill levels. The rules of soccer, known as the Laws of the Game, dictate the structure, conduct, and scoring of matches, emphasizing teamwork, strategy, and athleticism. Soccer fosters social interaction, competition, and physical fitness, making it one of the most widely followed and played sports worldwide.