Soccer

Soccer, known as football in most countries outside of North America, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. The game is played on a rectangular field, commonly referred to as a pitch, with a goal at each end. The primary objective is to score by getting a spherical ball into the opposing team’s goal. Players primarily use their feet to pass, dribble, and shoot the ball, although they may use their heads and torsos as well. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands and arms to play the ball, but only within the penalty area.

Soccer is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The game is played in two halves, typically lasting 45 minutes each, with a halftime break. It features various competitions at both club and national levels, including domestic leagues and international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports globally, known for its significant cultural, social, and economic impact. It is played and followed passionately across continents, uniting millions of fans and players.