Association football

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players. They use their feet to move a ball on a pitch. The goal is to score more goals than the other team by getting the ball into a rectangular goal.

A match usually lasts 90 minutes, split into two halves of 45 minutes each. Many people play football in over 200 countries, making it the world's most popular sport. The game has rules called the Laws of the Game, created in 1863 and managed by the International Football Association Board.

Players use their feet but can also use other parts of their body except their hands or arms. Only the goalkeepers may use their hands, and only in their own penalty area. Games can sometimes end in a draw or continue with extra time or a penalty shoot-out.

The sport is governed worldwide by FIFA. It oversees six groups, such as AFC, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. The FIFA World Cup is watched by more people than any other sports event, even more than the Olympic Games. The UEFA Champions League is the biggest club competition in Europe, attracting fans from around the world.

Name

Main article: Names for association football

Association football is one of many types of football games played for centuries around the world. The word "association" comes from the Football Association, a group created in London in 1863. This group made the first official rules for the sport. This name helped separate it from other types of football, like rugby football.

The word "soccer" started at the University of Oxford in England around 1875. It came from a special way of talking used there, adding “-er” to the end of words. People began calling the game “soccer” to avoid confusing it with other football games. Today, most places in Great Britain call it “football,” while many countries, such as the United States and Australia, usually call it “soccer.”

History

Main article: History of association football

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of association football.

Association football has a long history. The modern rules began in the mid-19th century in England. Different schools had their own ways of playing. They worked together to make one set of rules.

Ancient precursors

Kicking ball games have been played in many cultures for thousands of years. One early game was cuju, played in ancient China. Players passed a ball and tried to kick it through a small goal. Other ancient games included episkyros in Greece and games in Rome.

Modern era

The modern game began in the 19th century. In 1863, people in England created the first official rules for football. This group formed the Football Association. Their rules are the basis for the game today.

Contemporary era

Football is now a worldwide sport loved by millions. It is played in almost every country. Big tournaments like the FIFA World Cup bring teams from around the world to compete.

Women's association football

Main article: Women's association football

Women have played football for a long time but often faced restrictions. In recent decades, women's football has grown and is now enjoyed by many. Big tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup show the best female players.

Gameplay

Association football is played with a round ball. Two teams of eleven players try to score goals by getting the ball into the other team's net. Players mostly use their feet to move and pass the ball, but they can also use other parts of their body except their hands and arms, unless they are the goalkeeper.

The team with the most goals at the end of the match wins. If both teams score the same number of goals, the game ends in a draw. Players can move anywhere on the field and pass the ball to teammates, but they cannot commit fouls or handle the ball except during specific restarts like throw-ins. Different positions such as strikers, defenders, and midfielders help teams create and prevent scoring opportunities.

Laws

Further information: Laws of the Game (association football)

There are 17 rules that guide how association football, or soccer, is played. These rules apply to all levels of the game for both boys and girls, though some rules can be changed for younger players or those with special needs. The rules are created by FIFA and maintained by the IFAB.

Each team has 11 players, including one goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands, but only inside a special area called the penalty area. Players need certain gear like shirts, shorts, socks, shoes, and shin guards to play safely. Substitutes can replace players during the game, usually up to five times in a match.

A referee oversees the game, helped by assistant referees. They make sure everyone follows the rules. If a player breaks a rule, they might get a yellow card as a warning or a red card, which means they have to leave the game. The referee can also let play continue if it helps the other team, a strategy called "playing an advantage."

Governing bodies

Football, also called soccer, is managed globally by an organization named FIFA, whose main office is in Zürich, Switzerland. FIFA works with six regional groups that cover different parts of the world:

• Asia: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
• Africa: Confederation of African Football (CAF)
• Europe: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
• North/Central America & Caribbean: Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)
• Oceania: Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
• South America: Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (South American Football Confederation; CONMEBOL)

Each country has its own football association that belongs to both FIFA and one of these regional groups. FIFA organizes international tournaments and helps make the rules, but the basic rules of the game are decided by another group called the IFAB.

International competitions

Main article: List of association football competitions

International competitions in association football are games between teams from different countries. The biggest event is the World Cup, organized by FIFA, which happens every four years. Many national teams try to qualify for this tournament. The World Cup is watched by billions of people around the world and is the most popular sporting event globally. The current champions are Argentina, who won in 2022.

Other important international competitions include continental championships, such as the European Championship, Copa América, and Africa Cup of Nations. These are for national teams from specific regions. There are also club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, where the best teams from each continent play against each other.

Domestic competitions

Main articles: Geography of association football and Geography of women's association football

In every country, football clubs join leagues to compete against each other. Each league runs its own way, but teams usually play many games in a season and earn points for winning, drawing, or losing. At the end of the season, the team with the most points wins the league.

Some countries have special rules to decide their champions. For example, in Latin America, leagues often split their season into two parts and pick a winner for each part. In the United States and Australia, leagues do not let teams move up or down between levels, and they use a playoff system to choose the champion at the end of the season.

Variants and casual play

See also: List of types of football

There are many ways to play association football. Some games are for smaller teams, like five-a-side football. Others are played in special places, such as beach soccer, futsal, and indoor soccer. There are also games for athletes with disabilities, called Paralympic football.

People often play street football in a casual way. They might use any ball and any open space, with goals marked by simple items. The number of players and the rules can change depending on who is playing.