Football is more than just a game. It’s a passion, a culture, and in many places, a way of life. But have you ever wondered why it’s called football? And why do some people call it soccer instead?
The name “football” might seem obvious — after all, the game is played with the feet! But the truth is a bit more interesting. The story goes way back. Let’s take a step into history and find out why football is called football.
It All Started in Europe
Hundreds of years ago in Europe, people loved to play games with a ball. These games were rough, rowdy, and usually not very organized. People would play with a ball that they kicked, punched, or carried through the streets.
These were called “folk football” games. There weren’t any clear rules. Each village made up its own version. One common thing? You played the game on foot, not on a horse.
That brings us to our first big clue!
Why the Word “Football”?
In the Middle Ages, there were two main types of sports:
- Games played on horseback (like jousting).
- Games played on foot, like folk football.
So the name “football” didn’t mean “kicking a ball with your foot” at first. It meant that the game was played on foot. That’s why it was called “football.”
Of course, over time, using your feet to kick the ball became part of the rules. So the name ended up making sense in a whole new way!
The Birth of Modern Football
In the 1800s, things started to change. In England, schools and colleges began to make rules for how the game should be played. But there was a problem. Not everyone agreed on the rules.
Some teams liked to carry the ball with their hands. Others only wanted players to kick the ball. So the game started to split into different versions.
- Rugby Football – where players could run with the ball in their hands.
- Association Football – where only the goalkeeper could use hands.
In 1863, the Football Association (FA) was formed in England. They wrote down the rules for the kicking-only version. This became known as “Association Football.” Most people just called it “football.”
But rugby football kept going too, and that’s how we got both sports today.
So Where Does “Soccer” Come From?
This part might surprise you. The word “soccer” actually comes from England too!
In the late 1800s, it was common in British universities to add “-er” to words. So they took the word “association” (from Association Football) and turned it into:
Assoc + er = Soccer
Yes, “soccer” was British slang for football! Students used it to tell it apart from “rugger” (Rugby Football).
Why Do Americans Say Soccer?
In the United States, a different version of football became popular — the one with helmets, touchdowns, and quarterbacks. What we call “American Football.”
So when Association Football came to the U.S., people needed a new name for it to avoid confusion. Since “soccer” was one of the older nicknames, the name stuck in the U.S., Canada, and a few other countries.
That’s why in the U.S., “football” means one thing, and “soccer” means something else entirely.
Different Names Around the World
Here are some common names for the game across the globe:
- Football – used in the UK, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.
- Soccer – used in the USA, Canada, Australia, and a few other places.
- Fútbol – Spanish-speaking countries.
- Calcio – in Italy (comes from a very old ball game played in Florence).
They may use different names, but it’s the same beautiful game!
The Magic in the Name
No matter what we call it — football, soccer, or fútbol — the game brings people together. It’s played in tiny villages, grand stadiums, backyards, and streets. And it’s all thanks to people who just wanted to kick, pass, and run on foot.
Fun Football Facts to Impress Your Friends
- The first international football match was in 1872 between Scotland and England.
- FIFA stands for “Fédération Internationale de Football Association.” There’s that “association” again!
- Some early footballs were made from animal bladders. Yuck!
- In 1969, a war broke out between Honduras and El Salvador — part of the reason? A football match!
So What Have We Learned?
The name “football” doesn’t only mean “a game where you use your foot.” It actually comes from the idea of games played on foot. Over time, the name evolved as the game did.
Whether you call it football, soccer, or even calcio, the game is loved by millions. One ball, two goals, and a whole world watching.
In the End…
Now you know why football is called football. Simple, right? But with a twist of history, culture, and a bit of British school boy slang, it all came together.
So the next time someone asks, “Why do Americans say soccer?” you’ve got an awesome story to tell.
And remember — no matter what you call it, it’s still the world’s favorite sport.
