Football is a team sport played between two teams, typically consisting of eleven players each, on a rectangular field known as a pitch. The primary objective of the game is to score goals by getting a ball into the opposing team’s net. The game is played predominantly with the feet, although players may use other parts of their bodies, except for the hands and arms, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who can use their hands within a designated area.

Football is governed by a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game, which cover various aspects such as field dimensions, player conduct, scoring, and officiating. It is one of the most popular sports worldwide, with various forms and adaptations, including association football (soccer), American football, rugby football, and Australian rules football, each having distinct rules and styles of play.

In many countries, especially those in Europe, South America, and Africa, association football—known simply as soccer in the United States and Canada—dominates the sporting landscape and features major competitions like the FIFA World Cup and continental tournaments. Football fosters teamwork, strategy, and physical fitness, making it a significant cultural and social phenomenon across the globe.