Why Americans refer to football as soccer — a history you should know

After the conclusion of the Club World Cup in the USA, where football is usually called soccer, the old debate has resurfaced once more. Why do Americans call the beautiful game “soccer” while much of the world refers to it as “football”? To understand the divide, we must look back at the sport’s origins, linguistic twists, and cultural evolution across continents.

The Origins of the Game

The roots of football stretch back centuries, with ancient civilisations like the Chinese (with Cuju), Greeks, and Romans playing early forms of ball games. However, the modern version of the game that we recognise today began to take shape in 19th-century England.

In the early 1800s, various forms of football were played in English public schools, each with its own set of rules. Some allowed carrying the ball with hands, while others strictly prohibited it. As these informal games became more popular, there was a growing need to unify the rules.

In 1863, the Football Association (FA) was established in London to standardise the rules and separate this version of the game from Rugby Football, which permitted handling the ball. The sport governed by the FA became known as Association Football. This term was used to distinguish it from other forms of football being played at the time.

Interestingly, the word soccer was actually coined in England. In the late 19th century, it was common among students at Oxford University to abbreviate words and add “-er” to them—rugby became rugger, and association (from Association Football) became assoccer, eventually shortened to soccer. For decades, soccer and football were used interchangeably in the UK.

Why the USA Calls It Soccer

When the sport made its way to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, soccer was the term already in common use among British expats and enthusiasts. However, another sport—gridiron football, based on rugby—was rising to prominence and came to be known simply as football in the American context.

To distinguish the two games, Americans stuck with soccer for Association Football. Similarly, Canada and Australia also adopted soccer in certain contexts, especially where other forms of football (like Canadian football or Aussie rules) were already established.

Over time, the word soccer fell out of everyday usage in Britain, especially post-World War II, when the global spread of football (under that name) and the rise of FIFA helped standardise the terminology. In the UK today, calling it soccer is often seen as an Americanism or outdated term—despite its British origins.

A Matter of Culture and Identity

Ultimately, the “soccer vs football” debate is less about correctness and more about cultural context. In the USA, saying “football” conjures up images of quarterbacks and touchdowns, whereas in England, “football” means packed stadiums, historic rivalries, and the Premier League.

Despite the difference in name, the love for the game is universal. Whether you cheer for football in London or soccer in Los Angeles, you’re celebrating a sport that unites billions across the globe.