Soccer

Soccer, known as football in most 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 ball into the opposing team’s net. Players primarily use their feet to control and advance the ball, although they can use any part of their body except their arms and hands; only the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball within the penalty area. The game is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end, and matches typically last 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each.

Soccer is governed worldwide by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and is recognized as the most popular sport globally, with millions of fans and players. Key aspects of the game include dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive strategies, making it a dynamic and skill-intensive sport. The simplicity of the game’s rules and the minimal equipment required contribute to its widespread appeal and accessibility. Soccer promotes teamwork, physical fitness, and sportsmanship, making it a significant cultural and social activity in many societies.