Why is football called 'soccer' in the US?
This article explores the etymological origins of the word 'soccer,' explaining how it evolved from 'association football' in 19th-century England. It clarifies that the term was once common in the UK before falling out of favor in preference to 'football'.
Why it matters
It addresses a common cultural point of contention between the US and the rest of the world regarding sports terminology.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Margarita Rodríguez BBC News Mundo Getty Images Football is life for millions of fans around the world, but in two of the co-host nations of the 2026 World Cup, they tend to call it by a different name.
The article is an educational, historical explainer with no political or social agenda.
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