What is difference between soccer and football?
One thing it doesn’t bring together, however, is how to refer to the game of 11 vs 11 with a round ball - the one that Manchester City are really quite good at.
Soccer and football are the two most common terms to refer to this game. However, many people think that soccer is just an Americanisation of the word football, but this is not the case.
You may think it a bit of a non-issue, but the history can be interesting. And, even to this day, it poses difficult decisions for international sites like ours, and Farantube, in deciding which term given the vast mix of demographics that visit.
The Birthplace: Soccer and Football in Britain
Our journey begins in England, the country credited with formalizing the modern game they now know as football. In the 1860s, a standardized set of rules emerged that came to be known as 'Association Football.' This was done to differentiate it from the other variants of football games played during that time. However, owing to British appetite for colloquialisms and nicknames, 'Association' was soon shortened to 'Assoc', which over time, further morphed into 'soccer.'
As the sport began to spread its wings globally, the countries it reached adopted either 'football' or 'soccer', depending on their cultural or linguistic preferences. So, ironically, soccer was also a British term for this game. This divergence has led to a split in terminologies that persists today. In Britain, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, both terms are used to some extent, with regional variations in popularity and frequency of use.
Italian Roots: Calcio
In Italy, the sport is referred to as 'calcio', which literally translates to 'kick.' The term 'calcio' has its roots in a historical game known as 'Calcio Storico' or 'Historic Football'. This sport was popular during the Renaissance period and was played in city squares across Italy. Owing to the similarities between Calcio Storico and the modern game of football – such as the use of a spherical ball and the objective to drive it across a boundary – Italians resonated with 'calcio' as their chosen term for the sport.
Spanish, Portuguese, and German Influences: Fútbol, Futebol, and Fußball
As we delve deeper into Europe and South America, we encounter language-specific adaptations of 'football.' Spanish-speaking nations, including Spain and countries across Central and South America, use 'fútbol,' reflecting the phonetic tendencies of Spanish.
Portuguese-speaking regions, such as Portugal and Brazil, have adopted 'futebol,' highlighting football's cultural significance in these areas. The term embodies the linguistic characteristics of Portuguese while paying homage to the sport's roots.
In German-speaking nations like Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, the sport is referred to as 'Fußball.' This term aligns closely with 'football,' yet incorporates the unique 'ß' character from the German alphabet. These adaptations emphasize the sport's deep integration into these cultures, showcasing the linguistic diversity within the global football community.
The Japanese Adaptation: Sakka
Japan's unique term for the sport is 'sakka,' derived from the English term 'soccer' and adapted to fit the Japanese phonetic system. The sport enjoys immense popularity in Japan, with its J-League being recognized as one of the most respected football leagues across Asia. Whilst it may look different on paper, it’s phonetically not too different.
The American Offshoot: American Football
The American context provides an interesting divergence, where 'football' denotes a different sport altogether. American football, which has roots in both soccer and rugby, is the premier sport in the United States. The term was used to differentiate itself from rugby - or rather, “rugby football”, which is the full historic name for rugby. Given that the sport is a derivation of rugby, it was the football part of the full name that was adopted.
When Association Football was gaining global popularity, 'football' in the U.S. was already synonymous with the game now known as American football. Hence, to avert confusion, 'soccer' became the term for Association Football.
A Symphony of Terms: The Global Language of Soccer and Football
The sport's varying names, including 'voetbal' in Dutch, 'nogomet' in Croatian, and 'fotbal' in Romanian, among others, are a testament to its broad global appeal and influence. These terms reflect not just linguistic differences, but also the cultural contexts in which the sport is enjoyed and celebrated.
Conclusion: A Shared Passion That Transcends Linguistic Differences
Whether it's referred to as soccer, football, calcio, fútbol, futebol, Fußball, sakka, or any other term, it is the shared global passion for the sport that truly stands out. Despite linguistic variations and diverse terminologies, the capacity of the game to evoke feelings of joy, despair, anticipation, and exhilaration is a constant.