Association football, more popularly called football or soccer, is an organized team sports game played between a spherical ball and two teams of eleven players each. It is played professionally by about 250 million players across 200 nations and dependencies, making it the most popular sport in the world. The object of the game is for the team to score more points (“picks”) than the other team. Each member of the team is trained for several months before a match, during which time they are expected to be fit, flexible and well-disciplined. Thus, professional footballers generally have striking capabilities such as strength, stamina and agility.
Due to its international character, football is the most frequently played sport in the entire world. It can also be enjoyed by children who are invited to take part in the fun and friendly competitions organized by teams and clubs. Many people regard football as a serious game, in which case the rules are more structured and officiated than in other games. However, the rules for football are fairly simple, and the game is regularly played with a full minimum age group.
A number of international soccer tournaments have been organized since 1960. Currently there are 24 teams in the IFA (International Football Associations) which play in qualifying tournaments. A number of football leagues and competitions exist in North America, South America, Australia and Europe, with the European league, the EFL (English FA Cup), being the most famous.
A large number of people, including players, coaches, supporters and even television viewers, consider football to be a truly social game. The social interaction that takes place between players and fans is part of the allure of football. As football becomes an increasingly popular sport for domestic and international play, the football fan culture has grown, with many people becoming involved in the sport either directly or indirectly.
The popularity of football in the United Kingdom has resulted in a number of English teams competing in international competitions. The English season, which commenced in 1996, is one of the most prestigious in the history of the game. The four main English football league fixtures finish on a Sunday with the fourth match taking place on a Wednesday. The matches take place across the country.
A number of English teams play international football for qualification to the World Cup tournaments. The most recent World Cup tournament was held in South Africa in a span of three months from June to July. The competition was won by England, and their opponents were Mexico, Spain and Italy. England are set to face off against the Italian team next year’s World Cup winners, while Spain will be representing the other side. Both sides have qualified from the group stages, where they came second and third respectively.