Football

Football is a team sport played predominantly with a spherical ball between two teams of eleven players each. The objective of the game is to score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team’s net. The game is played on a rectangular field known as a pitch, which is typically grass or artificial turf, with a goal at each end. Players can use any part of their body except their arms and hands to control the ball, with the exception of the goalkeepers who are allowed to use their hands within their penalty area.

Football is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, overseen by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The sport is known for its global popularity, with a massive following and professional leagues across continents. Major international competitions include the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and the Copa America.

Different variants of football exist, such as association football (known as soccer in some countries), American football, and rugby football, each with distinct rules and gameplay. However, “football” most commonly refers to association football, especially outside of North America.