Why Is Soccer Called Football? Explained

By Sarah Miller · March 14, 2048

Soccer is called football because the game is played primarily with the feet, and the term “football” historically referred to any sport played on foot rather than on horseback or with hands. This naming convention dates back to 19th-century England, where various forms of football evolved, eventually leading to modern soccer (known globally as football) and American football.

Why Is Soccer Called Football?

The term “football” predates both modern soccer and American football. In medieval times, “football” described games where players used their feet to move a ball. When organized sports emerged in England during the 1800s, different schools played variations of these games. The version standardized by the Football Association in 1863 became known as “association football,” later shortened to “soccer.”

In most countries, this sport is simply called “football,” reflecting its core mechanic: advancing the ball with the feet. However, in the United States, Canada, and a few other nations, “football” refers to gridiron football (American or Canadian), which uses hands more prominently. To avoid confusion, Americans use “soccer” for the global sport.

The Historical Origins of the Name

The word “football” appears in English texts as early as the 15th century. While early versions were chaotic and often violent, they shared one key trait: they were played on foot.

Key Milestones in Naming

1848: Cambridge University codified early rules for “football,” influencing future standards.
1863: The Football Association (FA) was founded in England, formalizing “association football.”
Late 1800s: “Soccer” emerged as slang from “assoc.” + “er,” popular among British elites.
20th Century: The U.S. adopted “football” for its own variant, reserving “soccer” for association football.

Global Usage of “Football” vs. “Soccer”

Over 200 countries refer to the sport as “football,” while only a handful, including the U.S., Canada, and Australia, commonly use “soccer.”

Country	Primary Term Used	FIFA Membership	Population (Millions)	Top Domestic League
United Kingdom	Football	Yes (4 teams)	67.4	Premier League
Brazil	Futebol	Yes	216.2	Brasileirão
Germany	Fußball	Yes	83.2	Bundesliga
United States	Soccer	Yes	332.9	MLS
Australia	Soccer	Yes	26.2	A-League
Nigeria	Football	Yes	223.8	NPL
Japan	Sakka	Yes	125.1	J1 League

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows that the vast majority of countries, especially those with large populations and strong football traditions, use a variation of “football” as the primary term. Only the U.S. and Australia predominantly use “soccer,” despite growing domestic leagues. This linguistic divide reflects historical development and cultural identity in sports.

Linguistic Evolution and Regional Preferences

The distinction between “football” and “soccer” is largely regional. In non-English-speaking countries, translations like “futbol” (Spanish), “futebol” (Portuguese), and “futbol” (Arabic) dominate.

Why the U.S. Uses “Soccer”

American football developed independently in U.S. colleges during the late 1800s.
To differentiate it from British “football,” Americans adopted “soccer” for the global sport.
The term stuck, even as Major League Soccer (MLS) grew in popularity post-1994 World Cup.

Common Questions About Why Soccer Is Called Football

Why do most countries call soccer football?

Most countries call it football because the sport is played mainly with the feet, and the name originated in England, where the modern game was codified. The term “football” naturally described a game played on foot using a ball.

Is “soccer” a British or American word?

“Soccer” is actually a British invention. It originated in late 19th-century England as Oxford slang for “association football” (“assoc.” + “er”). The British used it alongside “football” until the 20th century, when it fell out of favor, leaving Americans as primary users.

Does FIFA call it football or soccer?

FIFA uses “football” as the official name. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association translates to International Federation of Association Football. While “soccer” is understood, it’s considered informal and regionally specific.

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

It’s unlikely in the near term. With American football deeply entrenched in U.S. culture, switching would cause confusion. However, younger generations increasingly understand “football” globally, and bilingual usage may grow.

Are there other sports called football?

Yes. Besides association football and American football, the term applies to rugby football (rugby union and league), Australian rules football, and Gaelic football. All originated as “football” games but diverged in rules and regional popularity.