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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Football

Football is a family of team sports in which players usually try to move a ball toward a goal area to score points or goals.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Football is a family of team sports in which players usually try to move a ball toward a goal area to score points or goals. In most of the world, the term commonly refers to association football, also called soccer. In Canada and the United States, however, it can also refer to American football, and in Canada the word football typically means American football.

Meaning of the term

Football is an umbrella term for several related team sports. In many countries it means association football, while in Canada and the United States it may mean American football instead.

Football codes

Different football codes include association football, American football, rugby football, Australian rules football, and Gaelic football. These sports differ in how the ball is advanced, how scoring works, and the shape and size of the field.

Global usage

Association football is the dominant global meaning of football. Regional naming conventions vary, especially in North America, where soccer is often used for association football.

Statistics and reference works

Football is widely documented through encyclopedias, statistics databases, and reference books covering players, teams, competitions, and records.

Key facts

  • The word **football** is used differently by region, and the intended sport depends on local usage.
  • Association football is the most widely used meaning worldwide and is the sport often called soccer in Canada and the United States.
  • American football is commonly called football in Canada and the United States.
  • Football codes share historical roots but differ in rules, field dimensions, scoring, and equipment.
  • The term can also refer to other codes such as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football, and Gaelic football.
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Canadian context

In Canada, football commonly means American football, while association football is usually called soccer.[7][8]

Frequently asked questions

What does football mean?
It usually refers to association football worldwide, but in Canada and the United States it can also mean American football.
Is football the same as soccer?
In Canada and the United States, soccer usually means association football, which is the sport most people elsewhere call football.
Is American football included under football?
Yes. In Canada and the United States, American football is commonly referred to simply as football.
What are football codes?
Football codes are the different sports that share historical origins and some common features, such as association football, rugby union, rugby league, Australian rules football, and American football.
Why is football ambiguous?
Because different regions use the same word for different sports, especially association football and American football.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football
    Supports: Regional meanings of football; football codes; association football as the most common global meaning.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football
    Supports: American football being referred to as football in Canada and the United States.
  3. Google Books / Welbeck Publishing Group — https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Football_Encyclopedia.html?id=C5lUzQEACAAJ
    Supports: Reference work describing football as the beautiful game and covering teams, players, leagues, and tournaments.
  4. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/Football-Encyclopedia-Complete-History-Professional/dp/0312050895
    Supports: Reference work titled The Football Encyclopedia on professional football history.
  5. Sports Reference — https://www.sports-reference.com/
    Supports: Football/soccer statistics, scores, and history database.