Soccer

Soccer, also known as football in most countries outside of 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 using any part of the body except the arms and hands (goalkeepers are an exception, as they can use their hands within their penalty area). The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with a goal at each end.

Soccer is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at the international level, and it is one of the most popular sports worldwide. Matches typically consist of two halves of 45 minutes each, and the team with the most goals at the end of the match is declared the winner. If the score is tied, depending on the competition rules, the match may go to extra time or a penalty shootout.

The sport is known for its emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and skill, and it has a rich history and a vast global following. Major international competitions include the FIFA World Cup and continental tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and the Copa América.