Soccer

Soccer, also known as football in most countries outside North America, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. The goal of the game is to score by getting a ball into the opposing team’s net. The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with a goal at each end. Players primarily use their feet to kick the ball, but they may also use their heads and, in the case of goalkeepers, their hands within a designated area known as the penalty box.

Soccer is governed by a set of standardized rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). It is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans and players across the globe. The sport is organized at various levels, including amateur and professional leagues, and it culminates in international competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup, which is held every four years. Soccer is recognized for its emphasis on team strategy, skillful play, and the ability to foster community and cultural identity among its followers.