Why Soccer Is Called Football: Global Naming Explained

By Sarah Miller · June 11, 2033

Soccer is called football because it is a sport played primarily with the feet, and the ball is advanced by kicking rather than hands—this naming convention is standard in most countries outside the United States.

Why Is Soccer Called Football?

The term "football" historically refers to any game where players use their feet to move a ball. In nearly every country except the United States, what Americans call "soccer" is universally known as "football." The name reflects the dominant method of play: using the feet to control and pass the ball.

Origins of the Name

The earliest forms of football date back centuries, involving kicking a ball toward a goal.
In 19th-century England, various schools played different versions of ball games, some allowing hands and others not.
The split occurred in 1863 when the Football Association standardized rules that banned handling the ball—this became association football, or "soccer."
The word "soccer" itself comes from "assoc," short for "association," used by British public school students as slang.

The Global Naming Divide

The confusion arises from regional language differences. While most of the world uses "football" for the sport governed by FIFA, the U.S. adopted "football" for American football—a gridiron-style game with more hand usage.

Key Reasons for the Difference

Historical development: American football evolved separately from rugby and soccer.
Marketing and branding: "Football" was already entrenched in U.S. culture for the dominant fall sport.
Media influence: U.S. broadcasters and institutions reinforced "soccer" to avoid confusion.
Global consistency: Over 200 countries use "football," aligning with FIFA's official terminology.

Country	Term Used	FIFA Member Since	Population (Millions)	Top Domestic League
United Kingdom	Football	1946	67	Premier League
Brazil	Futebol	1923	216	Brasileirão
Germany	Fußball	1904	83	Bundesliga
United States	Soccer	1914	332	MLS
Nigeria	Football	1960	223	NPL
Australia	Soccer	1963	26	A-League

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that while the U.S. and Australia use "soccer," the vast majority of nations—including major football powers like Brazil, Germany, and Nigeria—use a variation of "football." Despite population size, cultural dominance in football correlates more with historical tradition than sheer numbers.

Why Doesn't the U.S. Use "Football"?

American English developed unique naming conventions due to sports evolving independently. By the early 20th century, "football" in the U.S. referred to the collegiate version that evolved from rugby, which later became professional American football.

The need to distinguish between sports led to adopting "soccer" for association football.
Even in the UK, "soccer" was commonly used until the late 20th century, after which it declined due to perceived Americanization.
Today, younger generations in the U.S. increasingly refer to the sport as "football," especially among bilingual communities and international fans.

Common Questions About Why Soccer Is Called Football

Why do most countries call soccer football?

Because the sport involves moving a ball primarily with the feet, the name "football" naturally describes the gameplay. This naming is consistent across languages and cultures worldwide.

Is "soccer" a made-up American word?

No, "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 before falling out of favor.

Does FIFA refer to the sport as football or soccer?

FIFA officially calls the sport "football" in all communications and documents, reflecting global usage. Its full name is the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

Are there other sports also called football?

Yes, including American football, Australian rules football, Canadian football, and Gaelic football. Each has distinct rules but shares the common element of foot-based ball movement.

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

Gradually, yes—especially among younger, globally connected fans. However, due to the popularity of American football, "soccer" will likely remain in widespread use for clarity.