Soccer

Soccer, national sport of most European and Latin American countries, and rapidly increasing in popularity in the United States. It is played with an inflated leather ball 27–28 in (68.6–71.1 m in circumference) on a field measuring 115 yd by 75 yd (105.2 m by 68.6 m); the goal is 8 yd (7.3 m) wide and 8 ft (2.4 m) high. Two 45-min halves make a game, supervised by 1 referee and 2 lines officials. The aim of each 11-player team is to score by kicking or heading the ball into the opponent's goal. To advance the ball, a player may dribble it (repeatedly kick it while running with it) or kick it to a teammate. The ball may not be touched with the hand or arm, except by the goalkeeper in the penalty area in front of the goal. Modern professional soccer began in the United Kingdom in 1885, in the United States in 1967. The major international competition is the World Cup, held every 4 years.