What are Soccer and Football? The Differences Between Soccer and Football

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Soccer and Football both have the same meaning but these two terms are used differently depending on the geographical region. Let's explore below the concepts, usage, and differences between Soccer and Football!

What are Football and Soccer? The Differences Between Football and Soccer

I. What is Football?
II. What is Soccer?
III. Distinguishing between Soccer and Football
IV. Exercises to distinguish between Soccer and Football
1. 1. Exercises
2. 2. Answer keys: Soccer versus Football

I. What is Football?

To distinguish the Soccer and Football difference, let’s explore what Football is!

Football, pronounced /ˈfʊt.bɑːl/, serves as a noun that means: football. For example:

My father took me to watch football every Saturday.
Jack is arguably the world's best football player.

Collocation with Football:

To distinguish the difference between Soccer vs Football, let’s explore the collocation with Football!

Collocation with Football	Meaning	Example
football boot /ˈfʊtbɔːl buːt/	A type of footwear specifically designed for playing football (soccer), typically featuring studs or spikes on the sole to provide traction on the playing surface.	Jack bought a new pair of football boots for the upcoming season.
football player /ˈfʊtbɔːl ˈpleɪə/	An individual who plays football (soccer), either professionally or recreationally, and is skilled in the sport.	The football player scored the winning goal in the final match.
football pools /ˈfʊtbɔːl puːlz/	A form of betting on the outcomes of football matches, where participants predict the results of several games and earn prizes based on their accuracy.	I won a substantial amount of money in the football pools last month.
football pyramid /ˈfʊtbɔːl ˈpɪrəmɪd/	A system of interconnected football leagues in England, where clubs can be promoted or relegated between different levels based on their performance in matches.	The football pyramid structure in England includes multiple tiers of leagues.
football match /ˈfʊtbɔːl mætʃ/	A game or contest played between two teams of football players, where the objective is to score more goals than the opposing team within a specified time frame.	The football match between the two rival teams was very exciting.

II. What is Soccer?

To distinguish the Football and Soccer difference, let’s explore what Soccer is!

Soccer is pronounced /ˈsɑː.kɚ/ and functions as a noun, meaning: A team sport played between two teams of eleven players each, where the objective is to score goals by getting a spherical ball into the opposing team's net using primarily the feet. For example:

In 1996, Jackson became the men's soccer coach.
Did you play soccer at school?

Collocation with Soccer:

To distinguish the difference between Football vs Soccer, let’s explore the collocation with Soccer!

Collocation with Soccer	Meaning	Example
professional soccer /prəˈfɛʃənl ˈsɒkər/	A form of the sport where players are paid to compete, typically at a high level, including various leagues and competitions around the world.	Many young players dream of playing professional soccer and joining top leagues.
soccer coach /ˈsɒkər kəʊtʃ/	An individual responsible for training and managing a soccer team, developing players' skills, and formulating game strategies.	The soccer coach developed a new training program to improve the team's performance.
soccer complex /ˈsɒkər ˈkɒmplɛks/	A facility that includes multiple soccer fields and amenities for practice, games, and events related to the sport.	The new soccer complex features multiple fields and state-of-the-art facilities.
soccer field /ˈsɒkər fiːld/	The specific area of ground where soccer is played, marked with lines for the various parts of the game, including goals at each end.	The local community uses the soccer field for both practice and matches.
soccer match /ˈsɒkər mætʃ/	A contest between two teams that involves playing a game of soccer, typically lasting 90 minutes, divided into two halves.	The soccer match ended in a dramatic last-minute goal.
soccer pitch /ˈsɒkər pɪtʃ/	Another term for a soccer field; the designated area where the game is played.	The team arrived early to warm up on the soccer pitch before the game.
soccer player /ˈsɒkər ˈpleɪər/	An individual who participates in playing soccer, either at an amateur or professional level, and is skilled in the sport.	The soccer player received the MVP award for his outstanding performance this season.
soccer stadium /ˈsɒkər ˈsteɪdiəm/	A large venue designed for hosting soccer matches and events, typically equipped with seating for spectators, fields, and facilities.	The soccer stadium was packed with fans for the championship game.
soccer team /ˈsɒkər tiːm/	A group of players organized to compete against other teams in the sport of soccer, typically consisting of a coach and various playing positions.	The soccer team celebrated their victory with a big party after the tournament.
soccer tournament /ˈsɒkər ˈtʊənəmənt/	A structured series of soccer matches or games between multiple teams, often organized to determine a champion or ranking.	The international soccer tournament attracts teams from all over the world.
varsity soccer /ˈvɑːsɪti ˈsɒkər/	Soccer played at the collegiate level, typically representing a university or college team in competitions.	Anna made the varsity soccer team in her freshman year at college.

III. Distinguishing between Soccer and Football

Let's refer to the table below to explore the difference between Football and Soccer!

Football versus Soccer	Meaning	Example
Football	In England and other European countries, "football" is the common term for the sport.	Manchester United is one of the most famous football clubs in the world.
Soccer	"Soccer" is the term primarily used in North America to distinguish this sport from other sports that include "football" in their name, such as American football or beach football.	The US Women’s Soccer Team won the World Cup in 2019.

Distinguishing between Soccer and Football

IV. Exercises to distinguish between Soccer and Football

To better understand the differences between Soccer and Football, let's complete the exercises below together!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the appropriate word to fill in the blanks: Football or Soccer.

In the UK, most people use the term __________ to refer to the sport known as football in the US.
The American __________ game is played with an oval-shaped ball and involves a lot of physical contact.
The World Cup is a major international __________ tournament.
Many college students in the US play __________ in addition to American football.
The new __________ stadium is one of the largest in Europe.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct word in parentheses to complete the sentences: Soccer or Football

In Brazil, __________ is the most popular sport and is played by millions. (Football/Soccer)
My cousin plays __________ in college, and he’s really good at it. (Football/Soccer)
The __________ World Cup is held every four years and features teams from around the globe. (Football/Soccer)
In the US, __________ is often used to refer to the sport known as football in other countries. (Football/Soccer)
The new __________ league in England has attracted a lot of international talent. (Football/Soccer)

2. Answer keys: Soccer versus Football

Exercise 1	Exercise 2
Football Football Soccer Soccer football	Football/soccer Football/Soccer Football Soccer Football

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Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.