Soccer

Soccer, also known as football in many 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 typically guarded by a goalkeeper. The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with a goal at each end.

Players use their feet, head, and torso to control and advance the ball, but only the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands and arms, and only within a designated area known as the penalty box. Soccer is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The sport’s popularity has made it one of the most widely followed and played sports globally, with major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and various domestic leagues attracting millions of fans. The game emphasizes teamwork, physical fitness, and strategic play.