Soccer

Soccer, known as football in most countries outside North America, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. It is played on a rectangular field, typically grass, with a goal at each end. The objective of the game is to score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team’s net using any part of the body except the arms and hands (goalkeepers are an exception). The game is governed by a set of rules called the Laws of the Game, maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Soccer is played in two 45-minute halves, with additional time added for stoppages in play. It is one of the most popular sports globally, known for its grassroots appeal and professional leagues, culminating in major international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup. The sport emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and skill, with a rich history dating back centuries.