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The Origins: Why “Soccer” vs. “Football”?
The debate between “soccer” and “football” is one of the most famous linguistic divides in global sports. Depending on where you are in the world, the beautiful game has a different name.
Believe it or not, the word “soccer” actually originated in England. In the late 19th century, several versions of football were played. The two most prominent were Rugby Football and Association Football. To distinguish between the two, university students slangified the terms: Rugby became “rugger,” and Association became “assoccer,” which was later shortened to just “soccer.”
While the British eventually reverted to calling it simply “football,” the term “soccer” had already been exported to other English-speaking nations where different forms of gridiron or rugby were taking hold.
Countries That Say “Football”
In the vast majority of the world, the sport is referred to as “football” or a direct translation of the word. This is because, globally, association football is the undisputed most popular sport.
Europe
In Europe, the word is universally understood. In the UK, it is “football.” In Spain and Latin America, it is fútbol. In Germany, it is Fußball, and in France, it is simply football or le foot. The name accurately describes the core mechanic of the game: using your feet to kick a ball.
South America and Africa
These continents are strongholds of the sport. In Brazil, it’s futebol. Across African nations, whether English, French, or Portuguese-speaking, the word aligns closely with the original “football.”
Countries That Say “Soccer”
The countries that prefer “soccer” usually share one common trait: they have another domestic sport that dominates the cultural landscape and already claims the name “football.”
| Country | Preferred Term | What “Football” Means There |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Soccer | American Football (NFL) |
| Canada | Soccer | Canadian/American Football |
| Australia | Soccer | Aussie Rules (AFL) or Rugby League |
| New Zealand | Soccer / Football | Rugby Union |
| South Africa | Soccer / Football | Rugby / Association Football |
A Linguistic Divide, One Universal Game
Whether you call it soccer, football, fútbol, or calcio (as they do in Italy), the passion for the game remains the same. The linguistic divide is simply a fascinating reflection of sporting history and how different nations developed their own athletic traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Americans call it soccer?
Americans call it soccer to distinguish it from American football, a gridiron sport that grew massively popular in the US. The term “soccer” itself was actually coined in Britain as a slang abbreviation for “Association Football.”
Do British people ever say soccer?
Historically, yes. “Soccer” was widely used in Britain throughout the 20th century to distinguish it from rugby. However, in the 1980s, the term fell out of favor in the UK, largely because it became heavily associated with the American version of the game.
Is it wrong to say soccer in Europe?
It’s not “wrong,” but it immediately marks you as a North American or Australian tourist. Most Europeans will understand what you mean, though some purists might jokingly correct you to “football.”
