The Great Debate: Soccer vs. Football (And Why You’re Both Right)
If you have ever walked into a pub in London, a bar in Madrid, or even just the comments section of a YouTube video featuring the US Men’s National Team, you have probably heard it.
The groan. The eye-roll. The inevitable correction.
"It’s called football, mate. You play it with your feet."
For American fans, this is a rite of passage. You express your love for the beautiful game, only to be told you’re naming it wrong. It’s the age-old battle: Soccer vs. Football.
To some, calling it "soccer" is an American sin, a sign that we just don't "get" the sport's culture. To others, "football" is the sport played by Patrick Mahomes on Sundays, and anything else is just confusing.
But here is the twist that might surprise your European friends: Both names are actually correct.
In fact, the word "soccer" isn't a goofy American invention at all. It’s as British as fish and chips.
In this post, we’re going to settle the score once and for all. We’ll look at where the word comes from, why the US (and others!) stuck with it, and why it really doesn't matter what you call it—as long as you’re playing it.
The "Elephant in the Room"
Let’s set the scene. You are watching the World Cup. You shout, "Great soccer play!" and suddenly, the mood shifts.
For decades, there has been a weird tension around the name.
Many purists feel that "Football" is the only respectful title for the world’s most popular sport. They argue that because you kick the ball with your foot, the name is self-explanatory.
Americans, on the other hand, have a completely different sport called football (Gridiron), which involves a lot more throwing and tackling than kicking. So, logically, we need a way to distinguish the two.
But is one side actually "wrong"?
To answer that, we have to travel back in time to 19th-century England.
The British Origin Story (The Plot Twist)
Here is the part of the story that usually wins you the argument at the bar.
Contrary to popular belief, Americans did not invent the word "soccer."
We didn’t just make it up because we wanted to be different. The word actually comes directly from Britain.
The "Association" Connection
Back in the 1800s, specialized sports were booming in England's universities. There were a dozen different ways to play "football." Some versions let you carry the ball (Rugby Football), and others banned using hands (Association Football).
To stop the confusion, the rule-makers standardized the kicking game in 1863 and officially named it Association Football.
But "Association Football" is a mouthful. And if you know anything about British university students (specifically at Oxford), you know they love slang.
They had a habit of shortening words and adding "-er" to the end.
Rugby Football became "Rugger."
Association Football became "Assoccer."
Eventually, that got smoothed down to just Soccer.
So, for a long time in the UK, the terms "football" and "soccer" were used interchangeably. It wasn't until later—around the 1980s—that "soccer" started to fade out of popularity in Britain, largely because it started to be seen as too "American."
But the origin remains: The British invented the word they now make fun of us for using.
Why Did the U.S. Stick with "Soccer"?
So, if the British moved back to "Football," why didn’t we?
The answer is pretty simple: We already had a football.
By the late 19th century, American gridiron football (the NFL style) was rapidly becoming the dominant sport on college campuses in the United States.
It evolved from Rugby Football, but we just called it "Football."
When Association Football (soccer) started gaining traction in the States, we couldn't call it "football" without causing mass confusion. Imagine buying a ticket to a "football game" in Texas in 1920—you wouldn't know if you were about to see a touchdown or a penalty kick.
We kept the word "soccer" for the sake of clarity. It wasn't an act of rebellion; it was just practical linguistic housekeeping.
It’s Not Just Us: The "Soccer" Club
Here is another defense you can use: The United States isn't the only country that uses the word "soccer."
It basically happens anywhere that has another dominant sport called "football."
Australia: They have Australian Rules Football (AFL). So, they often call the round-ball game soccer.
Ireland: They have Gaelic Football. Many Irish fans use "soccer" to distinguish the two.
Canada: Like the US, they have their own gridiron football (CFL).
South Africa: The term is widely understood and used there as well (remember the 2010 World Cup held in "Soccer City"?).
So, while the "Football" crowd is definitely the global majority, Team Soccer has some pretty heavy hitters in its lineup too. You are in good company.
The Language Barrier: A Cheat Sheet
If you are an American player heading to Europe, or just watching the Premier League on Saturday mornings, the name of the sport isn't the only difference.
There is a whole vocabulary gap between US Soccer and UK Football.
If you want to blend in with the international crowd, here is a quick translation guide:
The Field vs. The Pitch: In the US, we play on a field. In the UK, it’s a pitch.
Cleats vs. Boots: We wear cleats. They wear boots (even though they don't look like boots).
Jersey vs. Kit: We wear a jersey or a uniform. They wear a kit.
Shutout vs. Clean Sheet: If the goalie (keeper) doesn't let any goals in, we call it a shutout. They call it a clean sheet.
PKs vs. Penalties: We often abbreviate to PKs. They just say penalties (or "pens").
Sideline vs. Touchline: We stand on the sideline. They stand on the touchline.
Does using one term over the other make you a better player? Absolutely not.
Does calling them "boots" make you feel slightly more like David Beckham? Maybe a little.
Why the Name Doesn't Change the Game
Here is the bottom line.
You can call it football, fútbol, calcio, soccer, or "the beautiful game."
None of those labels change the feeling of the ball hitting the back of the net. None of them change the adrenaline of a last-minute breakaway or the joy of a perfect pass.
The debate is fun for banter at the pub, but it shouldn't be a barrier to entry.
We have seen a massive surge in soccer's popularity in the US over the last decade. The MLS is growing, the NWSL is booming, and the 2026 World Cup is coming to North American soil.
As the sport grows here, the word "soccer" is becoming a global brand in its own right. Even European clubs touring the US embrace it when they visit.
The beauty of this sport is that it is universal. You can drop a ball in a park in New York, a favela in Brazil, or a street in Tokyo, and kids will know exactly what to do with it. They won't stop to argue about the etymology before they start kicking.
So, is it wrong to say soccer? Absolutely not. Is it wrong to say football? Nope.
The only wrong thing to do is to let a silly argument stop you from enjoying the world’s greatest sport.
Ready to Let Your Feet Do the Talking?
Now that we have settled the linguistic debate, it’s time to focus on what actually matters: Your skills.
Whether you call it a pitch or a field, you still need to know how to control the ball, make smart runs, and finish with confidence.
If you (or your child) are ready to stop talking about the game and start mastering it, it might be time to bring in a pro.
Watching Premier League games is great, but nothing beats 1-on-1 attention from a coach who can fix your form in real-time.
That is where TeachMe.To comes in.
We connect you with experienced, vetted soccer coaches in your local area. You can browse their profiles, see their pricing, and read reviews from other players just like you.
Want to learn how to bend it like Beckham?
Need to work on your defensive footwork?
Just starting out and want to learn the basics without the pressure of a team?
We have got you covered.
And the best part? Your coach won't care if you call it "soccer" or "football"—as long as you show up ready to work.
Let’s get out there and play.
