Football

Football, in its most widely recognized form, refers to a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each, primarily using a spherical ball. 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, with a goal at each end. Players mainly use their feet to control and pass the ball, although they can use any part of their body except their arms and hands (with the exception of goalkeepers, who can use their hands within the penalty area).

Football is known for its emphasis on teamwork, strategic play, and physical fitness. The sport is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). It is played at various levels, from amateur leagues to professional leagues, with a major international tournament, the FIFA World Cup, occurring every four years, featuring national teams from around the world.

The term “football” can vary in meaning depending on the region; for example, in the United States and Canada, it typically refers to American football, a different sport. However, in most countries, football exclusively refers to the global version known as association football or soccer.