Football

Football is a team sport played between two teams, typically consisting of eleven players each. The objective of the game is to score goals by advancing a ball into the opposing team’s goal, primarily using the feet, although players may also use other parts of their bodies, except for their arms and hands, unless they are the goalkeeper. Played on a rectangular field known as a pitch, the game emphasizes skills such as dribbling, passing, and teamwork. The sport is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

There are various formats of football, with association football (commonly referred to as soccer in some countries) being the most popular globally. Other forms include American football, rugby football, and Australian rules football, each with their distinctive rules and playing styles. Football is renowned for its ability to unite people, its widespread participation at both grassroots and professional levels, and its major global tournaments, like the FIFA World Cup. The term “football” can vary by region, often reflecting different styles and codes of the game.