Soccer is called football (officially Association Football) in some parts of the world. However, they are both the same sport. While ball games have been around for more than 2,000 years without a name, soccer originated in the mid-1800s. Today, it is a proper game with rules and is played professionally.

The first soccer ball was designed by Charles Goodyear using vulcanized rubber. The first-ever official soccer game was played in 1863 in England, which followed the rules that were just formed by the Football Association in England. 

By the early 1900s, many soccer clubs were formed around the world, and so were soccer teams that would compete against each other in official matches. 

Introduction

Soccer is a ball game that is played between two teams of 11 players each, with 1 player in each team being the designated goalkeeper. It’s played on a field known as the “pitch.” The pitch is rectangular and has a goal for each team on either end of its length. 

A soccer ball is an inflated ball that is made up of leather, plastic, or any other similar material. Players aim to kick the soccer ball inside the goal on the opponent’s side of the pitch. During this process, players of the relevant team can pass the ball around between themselves until the player that is closest to the opposing goal gets it. However, the opposing team’s players will try to snatch the ball throughout this process. 

An official soccer match usually lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute sessions. There is a 15-minute rest period between sessions. 

The winning team is the team that scores more goals than the opposing team. The basic rule of this game is not to use hands (except the goalkeeper, who can do so to stop a player from the opposing team from scoring a goal). 

Today, soccer is played by over 250 million people across the world. This is in addition to those who play at an amateurs level! 



Sheffield FC of England is recognized as the world’s oldest soccer club, while Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and more, are currently the most popular soccer clubs across the globe. 

The largest soccer store in RI, DMK Sports, is a family-owned store with over 30 years of experience in the field. Buy a soccer ball of your choice from a wide range of options. DMK Sports also offers custom soccer apparel for soccer teams. 

A variety of soccer gear from top brands, including Adidas, Joma, Diadora, Senda, Umbro, and Vizari, is available at exclusive pricing.