For much of the world, the sport is known simply as “football.” Yet in the United States and Canada, it is commonly called “soccer.” The difference has sparked countless debates among sports fans, especially during major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup. But the truth is that the word “soccer” actually has roots in Britain, not America.
Where Did the Word “Soccer” Come From?
The term “soccer” originated in England during the late 19th century.
At the time, multiple forms of football were being played across Britain. To distinguish between different versions of the game, schools and universities used shortened nicknames:
- Association Football became “Assoc.”
- Rugby Football became “Rugger.”
Students at the prestigious University of Oxford began adding “-er” endings to shortened words, turning “Assoc.” into “Soccer.”
The nickname quickly gained popularity and was commonly used in Britain for decades.
Why Didn’t America Adopt “Football”?
When soccer arrived in the United States, another sport was already growing in popularity: American football.
Derived from rugby and other football codes, American football became one of the country’s most popular sports by the early 20th century. To avoid confusion between the two sports, Americans continued using the term “soccer” for Association Football while reserving “football” for the gridiron version.
As a result:
- Football = American football in the U.S.
- Soccer = Association football in the U.S.
This naming convention became deeply ingrained in American culture.
Did Britain Ever Use the Word “Soccer”?
Yes.
Many people are surprised to learn that the British widely used the term “soccer” throughout much of the 20th century. Newspapers, broadcasters, and even governing bodies frequently referred to the sport as soccer.
It wasn’t until later decades that “football” became the overwhelmingly preferred term in the United Kingdom, while “soccer” became associated more closely with North America.
Why Do Most Countries Call It Football?
Most countries refer to the sport as football because the game is primarily played using the feet.
The sport’s official international governing body, FIFA, includes the word “Football” in its name. Around the world, variations of the term football are used:
- Football (England)
- Fútbol (Spain and Latin America)
- Futebol (Portugal and Brazil)
- Fußball (Germany)
- Football (France and many other nations)
Since soccer is the world’s most popular sport, the term football became the global standard.
Is “Soccer” Wrong?
No.
Despite frequent online arguments, both “soccer” and “football” are technically correct.
The term “soccer” originated in England and was later embraced by countries where another form of football became dominant, including:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Ireland (in some contexts)
Meanwhile, most of the world uses football.
Why Americans Still Say Soccer Today
Americans continue to use the term soccer because it clearly distinguishes the sport from American football. With leagues such as Major League Soccer (MLS) and major international events like the FIFA World Cup growing in popularity, the word remains firmly established in American sports culture.
Final Thoughts
America calls the sport “soccer” largely because the term was inherited from Britain and helped distinguish Association Football from American football. Ironically, while many people view “soccer” as an American invention, the word actually originated in England before crossing the Atlantic. Today, whether you call it soccer or football depends largely on where you live—but both names refer to the same world’s most popular sport.