Countries That Call Football Soccer

By Sarah Miller · August 12, 2034

In countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, the sport known globally as football is called soccer to distinguish it from local forms of football such as American football or Australian rules football.

Why Do Some Countries Call Football Soccer?

The term "soccer" originated in late 19th-century England as a slang abbreviation of "association football" to differentiate it from other football codes like rugby football. Despite its British roots, the word "soccer" gradually fell out of common usage in the UK, while it became the standard term in several English-speaking nations where other forms of football dominate.

Historical Development of the Term

The word "soccer" comes from "assoc," an abbreviation of "association" in "association football."
Oxford University students popularized the suffix "-er" for clipped words in sports terms (e.g., "rugger" for rugby football).
Although British, the term was adopted more widely abroad as nations developed their own football codes.
In the 20th century, the UK reverted to calling the sport "football," while countries like the U.S. retained "soccer. "

Countries Where Football Is Called Soccer

A number of countries primarily use the term "soccer" in official contexts, media, and everyday language. This usage often correlates with the popularity of other gridiron or oval-ball sports.

United States: "Football" refers to American football; "soccer" avoids confusion.
Canada: Similar to the U.S., Canadian football dominates the term "football. "
Australia: "Football" can refer to Australian rules football, rugby league, or soccer, leading to deliberate use of "soccer" for clarity.
New Zealand: Uses "football" officially but commonly says "soccer" in casual speech.
South Africa: Both terms are used, but "soccer" remains prevalent in media.
Ireland: "Football" may refer to Gaelic football, so "soccer" specifies the association code.
Japan: The sport is commonly referred to as "sakka" (derived from "soccer").

Global Usage Comparison: Football vs Soccer

Country	Primary Term Used	Local Football Variant	Soccer Popularity (FIFA Rank)	Association Name
United States	Soccer	American Football	13	U.S. Soccer Federation
Canada	Soccer	Canadian Football	38	Canada Soccer
Australia	Soccer / Football	Australian Rules Football	25	Football Australia
England	Football	Rugby Football	4	The Football Association
Germany	Fußball	No major conflict	12	Deutscher Fußball-Bund
Japan	Sakka (Soccer)	American Football (minor)	17	JFA (Japan Football Association)
South Africa	Soccer	Rugby Union	70	SAFA

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that countries using "soccer" typically have another dominant football code. Even in nations like Australia and South Africa, where multiple football codes exist, "soccer" helps avoid ambiguity. FIFA rankings indicate strong global participation regardless of naming conventions.

Official vs. Colloquial Terminology

Many countries that use "soccer" colloquially have transitioned to "football" in official branding to align with global standards. For example, Australia's governing body changed from "Football Federation Australia" to "Football Australia," though public usage lags behind.

Rebranding Trend: National associations adopt "football" to emphasize international integration.
Youth Influence: Younger generations increasingly use "football" due to global media exposure.
Marketing Strategy: Leagues like Major League Soccer (MLS) retain "soccer" for brand recognition despite internal debate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Football Is Called Soccer

Why do Americans call football soccer?

Americans use "soccer" to distinguish association football from American football, which is the dominant sport in the U.S. and occupies the cultural and linguistic space of "football. "

Is soccer called soccer everywhere in the world?

No, most countries call the sport "football" (or local equivalents like "fútbol" or "fußball"). Only a few nations, primarily where other football codes exist, use "soccer" regularly.

Did the British invent the word soccer?

Yes, the term "soccer" originated in England in the 1880s as Oxford slang for "association football." It was widely used in the UK until the late 20th century when it was dropped in favor of "football. "

Does FIFA use the word soccer?

FIFA uses both terms, but officially prefers "football." However, its website and communications in North America sometimes use "soccer" for clarity.

Will the U.S. ever switch to calling it football?

It's unlikely in the near future due to entrenched terminology. With American football dominating sports culture, "soccer" remains necessary for distinction, though younger fans influenced by global media may shift usage over time.