Football

Football, often referred to as soccer in some countries, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each, primarily on a rectangular field 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, primarily using any part of the body except the arms and hands; only the goalkeepers are allowed to use their hands within the penalty area.

The game is played with a spherical ball, and matches typically consist of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, with a halftime break. The team that scores the most goals during the match wins. In the event of a tie, various formats such as extra time or penalty shootouts may determine the winner in knockout rounds of tournaments.

Football is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which organizes major competitions including the FIFA World Cup. It is one of the most popular sports worldwide, with millions of players and fans, and is characterized by its emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and skill. The term “football” can have different interpretations globally, with variations of the sport known as American football, Australian rules football, and others having distinct rules and styles of play.