What Is FIFA Football (Soccer) Explained?

Oct, 12 2025

Ever wondered what exactly FIFA football is and why some people call it soccer? Below you’ll get a clear picture of the game, its history, core rules, and how it fits into the wider world of ball sports.

Key Takeaways

• FIFA football is the global version of association football, governed by FIFA.
• The sport’s roots trace back to 19th‑century England, but FIFA was founded in 1904.
• Eleven players per side, a spherical ball, and a rectangular pitch are the basics.
• Major competitions include the FIFA World Cup, continental championships, and club tournaments.
• Key innovations such as VAR and the off‑side rule shape modern play.

When we talk about FIFA football the form of association football overseen by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), we’re referring to the sport that 265million people play weekly and that fills stadiums during the World Cup. In everyday conversation, especially in the United States and Canada, the same game is called soccer. The two terms describe the same set of rules, equipment, and governing bodies.

Origins: From ‘Association Football’ to FIFA Football

The word “football” originally covered a handful of games where a ball was kicked with the foot. In 1863, the English FA codified a set of rules called “association football” to differentiate it from rugby football. Those rules spread across the British Empire, and by the early 1900s a handful of national federations wanted a common international authority.

Enter FIFA the global governing body for football, founded in Paris on 21 May 1904. FIFA brought together 13 national associations and began organizing international contests. The first official match under FIFA’s banner was played in 1905, and the inaugural FIFA World Cup launched in 1930 in Uruguay, setting the template for the sport’s modern global stage.

Basic Structure of the Game

Understanding the layout helps demystify the flow of play. A standard match features:

• Two teams of eleven players each, including one goalkeeper the player permitted to use hands within the penalty area.
• A pitch a rectangular grass or artificial‑turf field, typically 105m×68m for international matches marked with goal lines, touchlines, a halfway line, and a centre circle.
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• A size‑5 ball a spherical leather or synthetic sphere with a circumference of 68-70cm.
• Two 45‑minute halves, a 15‑minute halftime, and stoppage time added at the referee’s discretion.

The objective is simple: put the ball into the opponent’s net more times than they do yours. Scoring a “goal” earns one point, and the team with the most points at the end wins.

Core Rules Every Player Should Know

While the gameplay feels fluid, a handful of rules enforce fairness and safety.

1. Offside: A player is offside if, at the moment the ball is played to them, they are nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second‑last defender, unless they are in their own half. The rule prevents “goal‑hanging” and encourages teamwork.
2. Fouls and Misconduct: Direct free kicks are awarded for actions such as tripping, pushing, or handball (excluding the goalkeeper within his area). Accumulating two yellow cards results in a red card, which ejects the player.
3. Penalty Kicks: If a foul worthy of a direct free kick occurs inside the defending team’s penalty area, a penalty kick is taken from the spot 11m from the goal line.
4. Throw‑ins, Goal Kicks, and Corner Kicks: When the ball crosses a touchline, the last team to touch it concedes a throw‑in. If it crosses the goal line without a goal and the attacking team last touched it, a goal kick is awarded; otherwise, a corner kick is given.
5. VAR (Video Assistant Referee): Since 2018, major competitions use VAR to review five types of decisions - goals, penalties, direct red cards, mistaken identity, and offside in the build‑up to a goal.

Major Competitions: From Club to Country

Beyond weekly league play, the sport’s biggest draws are its international and club tournaments.

• FIFA World Cup the quadrennial tournament featuring 32 national teams (expanding to 48 in 2026) - the pinnacle of international football, watched by over 3billion viewers.
• Continental championships such as the UEFA European Championship, Copa América, and AFCON, each crowning regional champions.
• Club tournaments like the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, and the AFC Champions League, where top clubs from each continent compete.
• Domestic leagues (Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, A-League) provide the weekly grind that feeds talent into these bigger stages.

These events not only generate massive television revenue but also drive grassroots participation worldwide.

How FIFA Football Differs From Other Football Codes

If you grew up watching American football or rugby, the differences become obvious. The table below highlights the main contrasts.

These distinctions explain why regional terminology can be confusing. In the U.S., “football” usually means the American version, while the rest of the world defaults to association (FIFA) football.

Common Misconceptions and FAQs

Even avid fans get a few facts wrong.

• “Soccer is just a British word.” While “soccer” originated in England (from “association”), it’s now primarily used in North America to avoid clash with American football.
• “The game is always 90 minutes long.” Extra time in knockout stages adds two 15‑minute halves, and penalty shoot‑outs can extend the match further.
• “Only the referee can call a foul.” Assistant referees (linesmen) and VAR now assist in spotting infractions.

Now you’ve got the essentials: what FIFA football is, how it’s played, why it’s called soccer in some places, and what makes it unique on the global stage. Whether you’re watching the World Cup, joining a local kick‑about, or just curious about the sport’s terminology, you can appreciate the game with a clearer mindset.