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, using any part of the body except the hands and arms, which are only allowed for the goalkeepers. The game is played on a rectangular field, known as a pitch, with goals 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 globally, known for its simple rules and the minimal equipment required to play. The game lasts for 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with stoppage time added at the discretion of the referee. Soccer emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and skills such as passing, dribbling, and shooting. Major events include domestic leagues, such as the English Premier League, and international competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup.