7/02/2014

World Cup Trivia: Football Vs Soccer – Whats the Difference?


Football vs Soccer


“What a great game of football.” USA Goalkeeper Tim Howard said after a pulsating match which saw his team defeated 2-1 by Belgium after extra time. (I’m disappointed with the results, but that’s another story) Uh-oh, football? Pictures of American rugby come into mind. Hey dude, isn’t that game of 2 groups of 11 players per side vying for one round ball called soccer?


Whats the difference between football and soccer?


There is no difference as they essentially mean the same thing. Soccer is what the Americans call it due to a name clash of another favourite sport in the country.  

If you look at FIFA’s name - Federation International de Football Associatif - you will see that the official name of the sport is football.


A case of where you are


America: Football is more commonly referred to American football in which it is also a game with 11 a side, but this time competing for a leather oval ball (also called egg-chasing), and using their hands. Think  or google NFL.

Thus, there is a need for an alternative name such as soccer.

Canada: Possibly due to proximity and influence of American and Canadian Football (Think NFL), they use soccer too.  

Europe and pretty much rest of the world: Football

Australia: depends on where you are.

Singapore: Definitely soccer. (even though we speak British English)


What is soccer called in your country?

EUFASS

World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game. 

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