EF Site: Football and Rugby

Football

Football also called Soccer, game in which two 11-member teams try to propel a ball into the opposing team's goal, using any part of the body except the hands and arms. Only the goalkeeper, who is restricted to the penalty area in front of the goal (see illustration), is allowed to handle the ball. The team that scores the most goals is the winner.

Soccer originated in England and was played by schoolboys under various rules. An attempt to standardize the rules was made at the University of Cambridge in 1843, but not until 1863, when the Football Association (FA) was created, was a uniform set of rules established. The FA Cup was started in 1871, and professional leagues emerged, beginning with the Football League in 1888. Other countries soon organized along similar lines.

In 1904 the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was organized, and it remains the world governing body of amateur competition. Soccer was officially included in the Olympic Games in 1900, and since 1930 the FIFA has sponsored the quadrennial World Cup competition, which is held between the Olympic Games. The FIFA Women's World Cup was inaugurated in 1991, and women's Olympic competition began in 1996. Prior to the formation of the FIFA, international matches were played by European and South American countries, but there were rule differences between the continents, particularly regarding the obstruction of a player who did not have possession of the ball, tackling from behind, and shoulder charging. These differences were gradually resolved, and by the late 1960s universal application of the rules was achieved.

Other major tournaments include the European Champions' Club Cup (begun 1956), the South American Libertadores de América Cup (1960), and the European Cup–Winners' Cup (1963). An official club championship is also played by the winners of the South American and European champions' cups.