Soccer

Soccer, also known as football in most countries outside the United States and Canada, 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 the feet, but players can also use other parts of their bodies except for the arms and hands (goalkeepers are an exception, as they can use their hands within their penalty area). The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, and is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at the international level.

Soccer is characterized by its emphasis on teamwork, strategic play, and skillful ball control. The game is divided into two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with the possibility of additional time for stoppages. Match outcomes can result in wins, losses, or draws, depending on the competition format. Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide, drawing massive audiences at both club and international levels, including prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup.