Association football, soccer or simply football is a team sport played between two teams each consisting of 11 players and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world. It is a ball game played on a rectangular grass field (or occasionally on an artificial pitch) with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to score by maneuvering the ball into the opposing goal. The predominant feature of the sport is that players other than the goalkeepers may not use their hands or arms to propel the ball in general play. The winner is the team that has scored more goals at the end of the match.

The modern game developed in England following the formation of the Football Association, whose 1863 set of rules created the foundations for the way the sport is played today. Football is governed internationally by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The most prestigious international football competition is the World Cup, which is also the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world.2002 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage, FIFA official website. Retrieved on May 13, 2006.

Nature of the game

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More on [ Football (soccer) ]

NYT > Soccer

United States 1, Japan 0: U.S. Men’s Team Ends Scoring Drought in Opener
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:15:42 -0000
Playing in oppressive conditions, the United States defeated Japan Thursday thanks to Stuart Holden’s goal in the 47th minute.
Men’s Roundup: U.S. Opens With Win Over Japan
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:44:45 -0000
TIANJIN, China — For one half Thursday, two very different teams tried to employ contrasting tactics in the same oppressive conditions when the United States men’s soccer team opened Olympic play against Japan.
Extra Time: A Pillar of Strength on a Team in Transition
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:40:19 -0000
Eidur Gudjohnsen has been Barcelona’s Icelandic tower of strength through all the change and commotion of the off-season.

L.A. Times - Soccer

U.S. defeats Japan in opener, 1-0
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The U.S. surprisingly finds itself atop its group after the Dutch tie Nigeria. Trust the Dutch to make things interesting.
Loss to Norway doesn't faze U.S. women's soccer team
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
With two games left in pool play, the U.S. mood is positive. Shannon Boxx and her U.S. Olympic soccer teammates have been to China enough times so that some of them have absorbed a Mandarin phrase or two.
Ronaldinho-Lionel Messi soccer matchup at Olympics still possible
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Despite a ruling today saying Barcelona can recall Messi, Argentina's coach says the striker will play Thursday against Ivory Coast. The men's soccer tournament at the Beijing Olympics still has a chance of having two of the sport's finest players -- Brazil's Ronaldinho and Argentina's Lionel Messi -- squaring off for the gold medal.

USATODAY.com Soccer - Top Stories

U.S. defeats Japan 1-0 behind Holden's goal
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:18:00 -0000
Stuart Holden ended the United States' three-game scoring drought with a goal in the second half, giving the Americans a 1-0 ...
Clubs win appeal in Olympic soccer case
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:26:55 -0000
Three European clubs won an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday to keep their players out of the Olympic ...
Norway still a thorn in U.S. side after winning opener 2-0
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:15:39 -0000
Norway, which knocked the U.S. women's soccer team out of the 1995 World Cup and 2000 Olympics, surprised the Americans with ...

ESPNsoccernet

Benfica sign Reyes from Real on season's loan
soccernet.com Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:32:13 -0000
Benfica have completed the signing of Spain winger Jose Antonio Reyes on a one-year loan deal.
Wenger sees Amsterdam as 'ideal preparation'
soccernet.com Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:30:05 -0000
Arsene Wenger expects to know more about Arsenal's chances for the coming season after the 'ideal preparation' of the Amsterdam Tournament.
Scolari can see his plans coming together
soccernet.com Fri, 08 Aug 2008 08:28:48 -0000
Luiz Felipe Scolari is happy with the progress he has made during his first month at the club after the Blues arrived back from their Asian tour.

FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football

Chelsea make Robinho bid
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0000
ENGLISH Premier League giants Chelsea confirmed Thursday they had made a bid for Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho.
Fergie tips Ronaldo for long haul
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:35:00 -0000
SIR Alex Ferguson said he was confident Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo would remain with Manchester United for longer than just this Premier League season.
Chipperfield in squad for friendly
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:42:00 -0000
AUSTRALIA coach Pim Verbeek has included Swiss-based Scott Chipperfield in an 18-man squad for the Socceroos' friendly match against South Africa in London on August 19.

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