Overview
Football, known as association football or soccer in many parts of the world, is a team sport played by two teams of 11 players with a ball. The objective is to score by getting the ball into the opposing goal. It is the world's most popular sport, boasting an estimated 3.5 billion fans. Its origins trace back to ancient ball games, with modern rules codified in England in the mid-19th century. The sport is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which organizes the quadrennial FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious football tournament globally. Football's cultural significance extends far beyond the pitch, influencing fashion, music, politics, and social identity across continents.