Introduction
Many people around the world scratch their heads when they come across the terms ‘football’ and ‘soccer’. There seems to be a lot of confusion about these words, whether they refer to the same game or not. Especially for those who live outside the United States and Canada, the use of the term ‘soccer’ can be baffling. Today, we’re going to demystify this for you.
Understanding the Terminology
First and foremost, it’s crucial to know that both terms, football and soccer, refer to the same sport in most instances. The inconsistency in nomenclature is mainly due to cultural differences and the presence of other games that are also called ‘football’ in different parts of the world.
In most countries, the game played with two teams of 11 players who use their feet (predominantly) to get a ball into the opposing team’s goal is known as football. The rules surrounding this game were standardised in England in the 19th century, and it is recognised by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA.
American Soccer VS. Football
The confusion starts when we bring the United States and Canada into the picture. In these countries, the term ‘football’ refers to a completely different game, known elsewhere as American football or gridiron. Because of this, the term ‘soccer’ is used to denote the game known as ‘football’ in the rest of the world.
The word ‘soccer’ actually has an English origin, derived from an abbreviation of the term ‘Association Football’ to “‘soccer”. So, when people from the U.S. or Canada talk about ‘soccer’, they’re referring to the same game that the rest of the world calls ‘football’.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the distinction between ‘football’ and ‘soccer’ lies merely in the terminology, not the actual game. Both terms are used to refer to the same sport, albeit in different parts of the world. A person in Canada talking about a ‘soccer match’ and a person in England discussing a ‘football match’ are essentially talking about the same thing. However, if someone from the U.S. invites you to watch a ‘football game’, be prepared to see a very different sport! This is a simple illustration of how cultural nuances can influence language and lead to such curious confusions.