Football

Football, also known as soccer in some countries, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each. The objective of the game is to score goals by getting a spherical ball into the opposing team’s net using any part of the body except the arms and hands, although goalkeepers can use their hands within their penalty area. The game is played on a rectangular field known as a pitch, which includes a goal at each end. The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins. If the score is tied, the game may end in a draw, or additional time, known as extra time, may be played, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

Football is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The sport is played globally and is one of the most popular and widely watched sports, with major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup showcasing international competition. Football fosters teamwork, strategy, and physical fitness and is played at various levels, from grassroots to professional leagues.