Soccer
Soccer (aka football) is often referred to the most popular sport in the world. It is played in most countries, and the soccer world cup is one of the largest sporting events in the world. Most people, no matter where you go, will know what soccer is and have a basic understanding of how it is played. Most people have also played soccer at some point in their lives. Soccer is most definitely also one of the most influential sports in the world.
Soccer is played between two teams of eleven players, on a field between 100 and 130 yards in length and 50 and 100 yards in width. The object of the game is to get the ball into the opposing goal using any part of the body other than the hands and arms. There is a halfway line in the middle, and two goals on each side. No player is allowed to touch the ball with his or her hands or arms, excluding the goalie. The goalie is only allowed to touch the ball with their hands or arms when it is inside the penalty area, a 12 by 6 yard box around the goal. If the ball goes out of the field, the referee will either throw in the ball or the referee will let one of the players kick the ball in, commonly called a corner kick.
Soccer is played by 200 countries, combined to reach 250 million players around the world. The international governing body of soccer is FIFA. FIFA’s headquarters are located in Zurich. FIFA has six divisions governing each continent. National associations oversee each country. FIFA organizes the soccer World Cup, the finals for which are held every four years.
American football
American football, also known as gridiron in some countries, is played by two teams of eleven players, the object being to score the most points by getting touchdowns. The game is played on a field with goalposts on each end 120 yards long by 53.33 yards wide. Players attempt to advance the ball by passing or running it. Teams are given 4 downs to advance the ball at least 10 feet, if the ball is not advanced at least...