Why Football Is Called Soccer: Origins & Global Usage

By Emma Wilson · October 3, 2026

Football is called soccer in the United States and some other countries due to historical linguistic evolution. The term ‘soccer’ originated in late 19th-century England as a shortened form of ‘association football’ to distinguish it from ‘rugby football’. While most of the world eventually adopted ‘football’ as the standard term, the U.S. retained ‘soccer’ to avoid confusion with American football, which became dominant in the country.

Origins of the Term ‘Soccer’

The word ‘soccer’ is not an American invention, as many assume. It emerged in England during the 1880s as university students and athletes used slang abbreviations for sports. ‘Association football’ was colloquially shortened to ‘assoccer’, later evolving into ‘soccer’. This nickname was widely used in British English until the mid-20th century.

Why ‘Soccer’ Was Common in Early Britain

British public schools developed various forms of football.
To differentiate between codes, suffixes like ‘-er’ were added (e.g., ‘rugger’ for rugby).
‘Soccer’ helped distinguish ‘association football’ from ‘rugby football’.
The Football Association (FA), founded in 1863, formalized the sport’s rules.

Global Usage: Soccer vs. Football

Today, ‘football’ is the preferred term in over 150 countries, while ‘soccer’ remains common in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Ireland. The divergence reflects both cultural identity and the dominance of other gridiron-style sports in certain regions.

Country	Primary Term Used	Sport Popularity (Google Trends, 2024)	Notes
United States	Soccer	78	American football dominates; soccer growing among youth
United Kingdom	Football	95	‘Soccer’ still understood but rarely used
Brazil	Futebol	100	National passion; term derived from ‘football’
Australia	Soccer	45	Competes with AFL and rugby
Germany	Fußball	92	Term means ‘football’ literally
Canada	Soccer	60	Avoids confusion with Canadian football

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that while ‘football’ is the dominant global term, usage correlates strongly with the sport’s cultural significance. Countries where the sport is less dominant, such as the U.S. and Canada, use ‘soccer’ to differentiate it from domestic gridiron sports. Google Trends scores reflect search interest normalized to 100, indicating higher engagement in traditional football nations.

Linguistic Evolution and Cultural Identity

Language evolves based on necessity and cultural context. In nations where multiple football codes exist, precise terminology prevents confusion. For example:

In the U.S., ‘football’ refers to American football, played in the NFL.
In Australia, ‘Aussie Rules’ (AFL) is also called ‘football’, making ‘soccer’ necessary for clarity.
In Ireland, both Gaelic football and soccer are popular, so distinction is essential.

Modern Perception and Controversy

Some non-American fans view ‘soccer’ as incorrect or even offensive, believing it undermines the sport’s global identity. However, linguists argue that both terms are valid, with ‘soccer’ having legitimate British roots. Major institutions like the NCAA and U.S. Soccer Federation officially use ‘soccer’, reinforcing its legitimacy in American English.

FAQ About Why Football Is Called Soccer

Why do Americans call football soccer?

Americans use ‘soccer’ to distinguish association football from American football, which became the dominant sport in the U.S. during the 20th century. The term ‘soccer’ was already in use in England and was naturally adopted in American English for clarity.

Is ‘soccer’ a made-up American word?

No, ‘soccer’ originated in England in the 1880s as Oxford slang for ‘association football’. It was commonly used by British elites and even appeared in print in UK publications before falling out of favor in the late 20th century.

Do any other countries use the word ‘soccer’?

Yes, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland also use ‘soccer’ to differentiate from their primary football codes. In multilingual contexts, ‘soccer’ serves as a clear, internationally recognized term.

When did the UK stop using ‘soccer’?

The UK largely phased out ‘soccer’ in everyday speech by the 1980s, embracing ‘football’ as the national term. However, the BBC and other media outlets used ‘soccer’ as late as the 1960s and 70s without controversy.

Is it wrong to say ‘soccer’?

No, it is not wrong. Both ‘soccer’ and ‘football’ are correct within their linguistic contexts. Using ‘soccer’ in the U.S. or other countries with competing football codes is appropriate and widely accepted.