Soccer

Soccer, known as football in most 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 ball into the opposing team’s net. Players primarily use their feet to maneuver the ball, although they can use any part of their body except for their arms and hands, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who is allowed to use their hands within a designated area. The game is played on a rectangular field, typically with a grass or artificial turf surface, and is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Matches are typically divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a halftime interval. The team with the most goals at the end of the match wins. Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with a vast following and numerous professional leagues and international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, which is held every four years. It promotes teamwork, athleticism, and strategic play.