Why Is Soccer Called Football? Origins Explained

By Emma Wilson · June 10, 2028

Why Is Soccer Called Football?

The term football originated in 19th-century England, where games played on foot (as opposed to horseback) involving a ball were collectively called 'football.' Soccer, officially known as association football, was one of several such sports. The name soccer emerged later as a colloquial abbreviation of 'association,' distinguishing it from other forms like rugby football. In most countries, the sport is called football because it evolved directly from the original English game. However, in the U.S., Canada, and a few other nations, football refers to American or Canadian football, so soccer is used to avoid confusion.

Origins of the Name 'Football'

The word football dates back to medieval times, referring broadly to any game played on foot with a ball. By the 1800s, schools across England had their own versions of football, varying in rules and gameplay.

Key Historical Developments:

1848: The Cambridge Rules were established, laying early groundwork for standardized play.
1863: The Football Association (FA) was founded in England, formalizing association football.
Late 1800s: The term soccer was coined at British universities as slang—'assoccer' from 'association,' later shortened to 'soccer.'

This distinction helped differentiate association football from rugby football, which allowed handling the ball.

Why Do Americans Say 'Soccer' Instead of 'Football'?

In the United States, the term football became associated with American football—a sport derived from rugby and soccer but codified separately in the late 19th century. As American football grew in popularity, especially in colleges, the need for distinct terminology arose.

The U.S. adopted soccer to refer to association football to prevent confusion.
Until the 1980s, even FIFA used the term soccer in international communications.
Today, major U.S. organizations like Major League Soccer (MLS) reinforce the use of 'soccer.'

Global Usage: Football vs. Soccer

Over 200 countries refer to the sport as football, reflecting its historical roots. Only a handful, including the U.S., Canada, Australia (sometimes), and Ireland, commonly use soccer.

Country	Primary Term Used	Language	FIFA Member Since	Population (Millions)
United States	Soccer	English	1914	331
United Kingdom	Football	English	1910	67
Brazil	Futebol	Portuguese	1923	213
Germany	Fußball	German	1900	83
Nigeria	Football	English	1960	216
Australia	Soccer (Aussie Rules more common)	English	1963	26
Japan	SakkƵ	Japanese	1919	126

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that while the U.S. uses 'soccer,' the vast majority of countries—including large football-playing nations like Brazil, Germany, and Nigeria—use a variation of 'football' in their native languages. This linguistic consistency reinforces the sport’s global identity. Despite population size differences, the naming pattern reflects colonial influence and historical ties to British sports culture.

Is 'Soccer' a Made-Up Word?

No, 'soccer' is not a made-up term. It originated in Oxford, England, during the 1870s as part of a trend where students appended '-er' to clipped syllables of longer words. Other examples include 'rugger' for rugby. Initially considered upper-class slang, 'soccer' was widely used in Britain until the mid-20th century.

Only after American English preserved the term did British media begin rejecting it as an 'Americanism'—ironically reversing its origin story.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Soccer Is Called Football

Why do most countries call it football instead of soccer?

Most countries follow the original English term football, derived from 'games played on foot with a ball.' Since association football developed from these traditions, the name stuck globally.

Did the British invent soccer?

Yes, modern soccer was codified in England with the formation of the Football Association in 1863. While ball games existed worldwide for centuries, England standardized the rules that evolved into today's global sport.

When did the U.S. start calling it soccer?

The U.S. began using 'soccer' in the early 20th century as American football gained prominence. The Intercollegiate Soccer Football League, founded in 1905, used the hybrid term, eventually giving way to 'soccer' for clarity.

Does FIFA use the word 'soccer'?

Historically, yes. Until the 1990s, FIFA used both 'football' and 'soccer' in official documents to accommodate English-speaking regions. Today, 'football' is preferred, but 'soccer' remains recognized, especially in North America.

Will Americans ever call it football?

It's unlikely in the near future. With entrenched usage in media, education, and professional leagues like MLS, 'soccer' is deeply embedded in American English. However, bilingual communities and global fans increasingly use 'football' in informal contexts.