The Difference Between Soccer and Football: A Comprehensive Guide

Soccer (association football) and American football are two distinct team sports that share a common name but differ greatly in play style, rules, and equipment. Globally, soccer is played by roughly 250 million people and has about five billion fans worldwide, making it the world’s most popular sport. In contrast, American football (often just “football” in the U.S. and Canada) is mainly popular in North America. This guide will explain the difference between soccer and football in terms of history, rules, field dimensions, equipment, and cultural impact.

Table of Contents

Terminology and Origins

One major difference lies in the names. Outside North America, the game with a round ball is simply called “football,” while in the U.S. it is known as “soccer.” In fact, the word soccer originated in England as shorthand for “association football”. As Britannica notes: “the sport known as football in Great Britain is usually called soccer in the United States”. Conversely, Americans call gridiron football just “football,” while British English distinguishes it by context (e.g. “American football”).

Historically, the two games also diverge. The modern rules of soccer were codified by England’s Football Association in 1863, creating “association football.” Meanwhile, American football evolved later in the U.S. from early soccer and rugby-style games.

The first American football game took place in 1869 (Rutgers vs. Princeton) under modified soccer rules. Walter Camp’s rule changes in the 1880s (introducing the line of scrimmage, downs, etc.) turned it into a distinct sport. Thus, while both originated in 19th-century school games, soccer has older roots in England, and American football branched off to create a very different game.

Ball, Field, and Equipment Differences

Image: Community soccer game illustrating the difference between soccer and football.

Ball Shape: Soccer is played with a round ball (size 5 for adults). Players (except the goalkeeper) may only use their feet, head, or torso to control it. American football uses an oval “prolate spheroid” ball (often called a pigskin), designed for throwing. Hand-eye coordination is crucial in football because players carry, pass, and catch the ball with their hands.
Field Dimensions: Both fields are rectangular, but sizes differ. A standard soccer pitch must be 100–130 yards long and 50–100 yards wide. In practice, professional soccer fields are usually around 115 yards by 75 yards. An American football field is 120 yards long (including two 10-yard end zones) and about 53⅓ yards wide. In other words, soccer fields are typically wider (75–100 yards) than the fixed 53.3-yard width of a football field. The larger surface area of a soccer pitch affects play style and endurance demands.
Goals and Markings: Soccer goals are rectangular nets at each end (8 ft high × 24 ft wide). The field has markings like a halfway line, penalty box (18-yard box), center circle, and corner arcs. American football fields have yard lines every 5 yards, two 10-yard end zones, and goalposts at the back of each end zone. The goalposts (a horizontal bar with two uprights) are used only for kicking field goals or extra points in football.
Equipment and Gear: Soccer players wear minimal gear: primarily jerseys, shorts, shin guards, socks, and cleats. Because contact is relatively less violent, protective equipment is minimal. In contrast, American football players wear helmets, shoulder pads, padded pants, and gloves. The heavy padding in football is essential for safety, given the frequent high-impact tackles. The lack of heavy gear in soccer allows more fluid movement and emphasizes agility, whereas football’s gear is necessary for its physical style.

Rules and Gameplay

Players: Both soccer and American football field 11 players per side. In soccer, those 11 players (including the goalkeeper) usually remain the same for the entire game (with a limited number of substitutions). American football teams consist of three separate squads (offense, defense, special teams), and players rotate frequently depending on the play. For example, in football the quarterback only plays on offense and sits out on defense. Teams can use around 45 players in a single football game, constantly substituting specialists.
Use of Hands: In soccer, field players may not touch the ball with their hands or arms. They advance the ball by kicking or heading; only the goalkeeper can use hands, and only within the 18-yard penalty area. In American football, handling the ball is central to play. The offense frequently passes, hands off, and runs with the ball. There are no restrictions on carrying or throwing the football with the hands (aside from rules on forward passes and motion).
Scoring: In soccer, the objective is simple: kick or head the ball into the opponent’s net. Each goal is worth one point. Matches usually last 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves), and it’s common for games to end in a draw if tied. In American football, scoring is more complex. The main score is a touchdown (worth 6 points), achieved by carrying the ball into the opponent’s end zone or catching it there. After a touchdown, the team can kick an extra point (1 pt) or attempt a two-point conversion. Field goals (kicking the ball through the goalposts) are worth 3 points. Football games rarely end tied; if scores are level at the end of regulation, the match goes into overtime.
Game Flow and Time: Soccer is a continuous-flow game. Each half is 45 minutes long, and the clock runs almost nonstop. Play stops only for goals, injuries, or stoppages called by the referee (with added injury time at half and full time). American football is stop-start. The game consists of four 15-minute quarters (60 minutes total). However, the actual time to play a quarter is much longer because the clock stops after most plays (e.g. when a player is tackled). The result is that a football game can last 3 hours or more. Each football play is planned from a set position (the snap), followed by a short burst of action. The complexity of plays and frequent stops make American football strategic but slower-moving compared to soccer’s continuous pace.
Fouls and Contact: Soccer allows some contact but penalizes heavy tackles. Players commit a foul for dangerous challenges, handball, or misconduct. Yellow and red cards discipline players. In American football, contact is expected: blocking and tackling are part of normal play. There are strict rules against illegal hits (e.g. helmet-to-helmet), but collisions are otherwise frequent.
Offsides: Soccer has an offside rule: an attacker cannot be ahead of the last defender when the ball is passed to them (except from a throw-in). American football also has offside (and related penalties like false start), but the mechanic is different: it simply means players cannot cross the line of scrimmage before the snap.

Players and Positions

Both sports have 11-player teams on the field, but positions serve different roles. In soccer, positions are roughly divided into defenders, midfielders, and forwards, with fluid roles. Every outfield player participates in both defense and attack throughout the game. The goalkeeper is the only specialist who stays near the goal and uses hands.

American football has highly specialized positions. Offensive players include the quarterback, running backs, receivers, linemen, etc.; defensive players include linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties, etc. Each unit substitutes completely when possession changes.

For example, an offense of 11 players (including a quarterback) will leave the field when their team punts or turns over the ball, and a defensive 11-player unit will take over. This specialization leads to frequent substitutions: coaches rotate players play-to-play to maximize skill and rest.

Popularity and Culture

Soccer is a global sport. It is played in virtually every country and is especially dominant in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. FIFA, soccer’s governing body, reports about 5 billion fans worldwide and around 250 million active players. Major events like the FIFA World Cup attract massive global audiences (the 2022 World Cup final drew an estimated 1.5 billion viewers). The sport’s simple equipment needs and universal appeal have made it an international phenomenon.

American football, by contrast, is primarily popular in the United States (and to a lesser extent Canada). It is the most-watched domestic sport in the U.S.. The NFL’s Super Bowl is one of the largest annual sporting events in America, though its global viewership (~264.9 million in 2024) is far below that of the World Cup. In many countries outside North America, people assume “football” means soccer. This cultural difference in naming and popularity is a key part of the difference between soccer and football.

Soccer terminology also differs: Brits say “pitch” for the field, “match” for the game, “goal” for the scoring act, and “kit” for the uniform. In American football, one says “field” or “gridiron,” “game”, “touchdown”/“field goal”, and “uniform/gear.” These linguistic differences reflect the separate evolutions of the sports.

Key Differences at a Glance

Names & Usage: Outside the U.S., “football” means soccer; inside the U.S., “football” means the gridiron game. The term soccer comes from “association” football.
Players: Both games field 11 players each, but soccer players all play offense and defense continuously, while football players specialize on offense or defense.
Ball & Handling: Soccer uses a round ball and only goalkeepers can use hands. American football uses a pointed oval ball and players regularly throw or carry it.
Field: Soccer pitches are often wider (up to 100 yards), whereas football fields are 53⅓ yards wide. Both fields are similar in length (~100 yards of play, plus extra for end zones).
Scoring: Soccer scores by kicking the ball into a net for 1 point (games can end in draws). Football scores 6 points for a touchdown (plus extra point), 3 for a field goal; ties are usually broken by overtime.
Game Duration: A soccer match is 90 minutes of continuous play. American football is 60 minutes divided into four 15-minute quarters, but actual game time is longer due to frequent breaks.
Equipment: Soccer gear is minimal (shin guards and cleats). Football players wear helmets and heavy paddingto protect against the sport’s physical tackles.

Engagement and Social Sharing

What differences between soccer and football stand out most to you? Whether you’re a fan of one or both sports, these contrasts are fascinating topics to discuss. Feel free to share this article on social media and comment below with your thoughts or experiences. Understanding the difference between soccer and football can spark great conversations among fans worldwide!

FAQ

Q: What is the main difference between soccer and American football?
A: The main difference is that soccer (association football) is played with a round ball primarily using feet, while American football is played with an oval ball using hands. Their rules, field size, and scoring systems are also completely different.

Q: Why do Americans call soccer “soccer”?
A: Americans inherited the term soccer from British Oxford slang. It was shortened from “association” (assoccer) to distinguish it from other forms of football. In the U.S., since “football” came to mean the gridiron game, the term “soccer” stuck for association football.

Q: How many players does each sport have?
A: Both sports use 11 players on the field per team. In soccer, those 11 play the full game (aside from a few substitutions). In football, the 11-player group is specialized (offense or defense) and teams rotate many players in and out each play.

Q: Can soccer and American football share the same field?
A: Soccer and American football fields are similar in shape but not identical. Soccer fields can be wider and have different markings (penalty box, center circle). You cannot easily play a regulated game of one sport on the other’s field without adjustments.

Q: Which sport is more popular globally?
A: Soccer is far more popular worldwide. It boasts about 5 billion fans across continents and the World Cup attracts massive audiences (e.g. 1.5 billion viewers for the 2022 final). American football’s fan base is mostly in the U.S., and while the Super Bowl is huge nationally (~264.9 million total viewers in 2024), it is much smaller on a global scale.

Q: Are the rules of football very complicated compared to soccer?
A: Yes, American football has a more complex rulebook with systems like downs, forward passing rules, and many penalties. Soccer’s rules (the “Laws of the Game”) are relatively simpler: advance the ball by feet, score goals, and avoid fouls. Both games require skill, but football’s strategy is often considered harder for new fans to learn.

Q: What equipment differences are notable between soccer and football?
A: Soccer players use minimal equipment (jersey, shorts, shin guards, cleats). American football players wear helmets, shoulder pads, padded pants, and other protective gear because the sport involves powerful tackles. This leads to very different player appearances on the field.