Soccer

Soccer, 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, which is protected by a goalkeeper. Matches typically take place on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with goals at each end. The game is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Played in over 200 countries, soccer is the world’s most popular sport, with billions of fans and participants. The game involves a combination of skill, strategy, and teamwork, with players using their feet, bodies, and heads to control the ball. While handling the ball is generally prohibited, the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands within a designated area known as the penalty box.

Soccer is played at various levels, from informal street games to professional leagues and international competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup. It promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, making it a significant cultural and social activity in many societies around the globe.