Soccer

Soccer, known as football in most countries outside 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 more goals than the opposing team by using any part of the body except the hands and arms to propel a spherical ball into the opponent’s goal. Only goalkeepers are allowed to handle the ball, but only within their own penalty area.

Soccer is governed by a set of laws known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Matches are typically 90 minutes long, divided into two 45-minute halves, with additional time added for stoppages. The sport is known for its emphasis on skill, strategy, and teamwork. Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide, with millions of fans and players, and it includes prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and various continental championships.