Football

Football is a team sport played primarily 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. Players primarily use their feet to kick the ball, although they can use any part of their body except their hands and arms to control it, with the exception of goalkeepers, who can handle the ball within their penalty area.

Football is known for its widespread popularity and is governed internationally by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), which organizes major tournaments such as the World Cup. The game is played on a rectangular field, often referred to as a pitch, typically with goalposts at either end.

Different variations of football exist, such as association football (commonly called soccer in some countries), American football, rugby football, and Australian rules football, each having its own specific rules and styles of play. However, in many parts of the world, especially outside of North America, “football” commonly refers specifically to association football (soccer).

The sport emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and physical fitness, contributing to its status as a global cultural phenomenon.