Soccer, known as football in most countries outside the United States and Canada, 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 kick the ball, but they can also use their heads and torsos. Only the goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball, and they can do so only within their penalty area.

Matches are typically played on a rectangular field known as a pitch, which is usually grass or artificial turf. The sport is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with hundreds of millions of fans and players globally, and it features prominent competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and domestic leagues like the English Premier League and La Liga. The sport emphasizes teamwork, skill, and strategic play, and is known for its passionate fan base and rich history.