Soccer

Soccer is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each, primarily using their feet to control and kick a round ball. The objective of the game is to score by getting the ball into the opposing team’s goal. The game is played on a rectangular field called a pitch, with a goal at each end. Soccer is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, which are maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The sport is timed and traditionally consists of two halves of 45 minutes each, with the possibility of added time for stoppages. Players can use any part of their body to move the ball except their arms and hands, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who can handle the ball within their penalty area. Soccer is one of the most popular sports globally, with a vast following and numerous professional leagues and tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, which is the sport’s premier international competition. The term “soccer” is commonly used in countries where other forms of football are popular, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, to distinguish it from those variations.