Why is soccer called football?

Soccer, known to much of the world as football, is one of the most popular sports globally. However, the name “soccer” is primarily used in the United States and a few other countries, which often raises the question: why is soccer called football in most places, and soccer in others? This comprehensive guide will delve into the history, cultural differences, and terminology that separate the two names for the same sport. We’ll explore how soccer evolved, why it took on different names, and what this means for fans and players around the world.

The Origins of the Game

Football, or soccer, has a rich and long history that dates back thousands of years. Games involving a ball and feet have been played in numerous cultures, from ancient China to medieval Europe. The modern version of the sport, however, began to take shape in England in the 19th century.

During this period, various forms of football were being played in schools and colleges across England. These early versions of football had different rules, some allowing the use of hands (which would later evolve into rugby), while others restricted it to only the feet. These distinctions would soon lead to the codification of two separate sports: association football and rugby football.

Football vs. Soccer: A Historical Overview

The term “football” in itself is a source of confusion, as it is used to refer to several distinct sports across the globe. In the broadest sense, football refers to any game where players predominantly use their feet to move a ball around a field.

In England, the word “football” traditionally refers to association football, the sport governed by the Football Association (FA), which we now commonly call soccer in some countries. However, other forms of football also evolved around the same time, such as rugby football and American football, which further complicated the terminology.

The differentiation between these sports paved the way for regional variations in the terminology. This brings us to the question: why soccer?

The Evolution of the Term “Soccer”

The word “soccer” is an abbreviation that originated in England. It comes from the term “association football,” which was coined to distinguish it from rugby football, a sport that developed around the same time.

In the 1860s, Oxford University students started using the suffix “-er” to form slang abbreviations for various words. For example, rugby football became “rugger,” and association football became “soccer.” The “soc” in “association” was simply transformed into “soccer,” and the term caught on.

Interestingly, the term “soccer” was widely used in England throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It wasn’t until later that “football” became the dominant term in the UK, while “soccer” remained popular in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, where other forms of football were more popular.

Why Is It Called Football in Most Countries?

The reason the term “football” is more prevalent globally stems from the sport’s simple premise: it involves using your feet to kick a ball. As soccer (or football) spread to different parts of the world, the simplicity of the term made sense to people. After all, it’s a game where the foot dominates the action.

In most countries, where rugby, American football, and other variants didn’t have as much influence, the term “football” naturally stuck. In fact, when soccer was exported to countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, it was simply called “football.”

Even today, FIFA—the international governing body of soccer—uses “football” in all official communications, further cementing its use worldwide.

Why Americans Call It Soccer

In the United States, the term “football” was already in use to describe American football, a sport that developed from rugby and became immensely popular in the early 20th century. To differentiate the two, Americans adopted the term “soccer,” which was still commonly used in England at the time.

Interestingly, for many years, both “football” and “soccer” were used interchangeably in America. The rise of American football, however, led to the dominance of “soccer” as the preferred term for association football in the U.S. This allowed the two sports to have distinct identities.

In Canada and Australia, similar patterns emerged due to the popularity of their own versions of football Canadian football and Australian rules football, respectively. “Soccer” was used to avoid confusion with their local football variants.

How the Term “Soccer” Spread Globally

Although “soccer” is primarily associated with the United States today, it wasn’t always the case. In fact, in the early 20th century, even countries like the UK and South Africa frequently used the term “soccer.”

The spread of the term can be largely attributed to British influence, particularly during the era of colonization. British expatriates, soldiers, and traders introduced the game to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and parts of Asia. They often referred to it as “soccer” to distinguish it from local variants of football or rugby that were already being played.

Over time, many of these countries maintained the use of “soccer” to avoid confusion, especially in regions where other forms of football were already well-established.

Football and Soccer: Cultural and Linguistic Differences

One of the most fascinating aspects of the soccer vs. football debate is how the terminology reflects deeper cultural and linguistic differences between countries. In the United Kingdom and much of Europe, football is viewed as the default term, given the sport’s massive popularity. For Europeans, football is the sport of the masses, played in local parks and celebrated in grand stadiums alike.

In contrast, in the U.S., where soccer has traditionally played second fiddle to American football, basketball, and baseball, the term “soccer” has helped the sport carve out a unique identity. In the past few decades, soccer’s popularity in the U.S. has grown significantly, with Major League Soccer (MLS) becoming one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world. Yet, the term “soccer” remains, as it distinguishes the sport from American football.

Even in countries like Australia and South Africa, the word “football” is often associated with rugby or Australian rules football, leading to the continued use of “soccer” to describe the sport played under FIFA’s rules.

FIFA and the Globalization of Soccer

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the sport’s governing body, uses the term “football” in all of its official languages and documents. FIFA’s influence in promoting the sport globally cannot be understated. From the World Cup to regional tournaments, FIFA has consistently pushed the term “football” as the standard name for the sport.

However, this hasn’t stopped regions like North America and Australia from continuing to use “soccer.” FIFA has chosen to remain largely neutral on the issue, allowing countries to use the term they prefer while promoting the sport’s global growth.

As soccer continues to expand globally, the debate between “football” and “soccer” might become less relevant, as fans increasingly accept both names as referring to the same beautiful game.

The Influence of British Colonization on the Name Football

The British Empire played a significant role in spreading soccer around the world. As British colonists, traders, and soldiers moved to different parts of the globe, they took their love of football with them. This is one of the main reasons soccer has become so widespread, with countries as far afield as India, South Africa, and Australia adopting the sport.

The terminology they used, however, varied based on the local sporting context. In some places, “football” became the dominant term, while in others, “soccer” was used to differentiate it from rugby or other local forms of football.

Interestingly, the influence of British colonization is also why many former British colonies, such as India, Canada, and Australia, continue to use the term “soccer” today.

Conclusion.

The debate over whether to call the sport football or soccer will likely continue for years to come. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter. Whether you call it football, soccer, or even something else entirely, the sport remains the same: a beautiful, global game that unites people from all walks of life.

The names may vary, but the passion, skill, and excitement of the sport transcend language and cultural barriers. Ultimately, soccer or football brings the world together in ways that few other activities can.

As the game continues to grow in popularity across the globe, the distinction between football and soccer may become less significant. What matters most is the love of the game, and that, no matter what you call it, will never change.