Football

Football, often referred to as soccer in some countries, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. The game is played on a rectangular field known as a pitch, with a goal at each end. The primary objective is to score goals by getting a spherical ball into the opposing team’s net, while preventing the opposing team from doing the same. Players primarily use their feet to control, pass, and shoot the ball, though the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands within a designated area known as the penalty area. Football is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and overseen by FIFA, the sport’s global governing body. The sport enjoys immense popularity worldwide, with a significant following and participation across different age groups and skill levels. Football is not only a form of athletic competition but also a vital cultural phenomenon, fostering camaraderie and community engagement through local, national, and international competitions, including tournaments like the FIFA World Cup.