Sports and Terminology: Why Football Is Also Called Soccer

If you’ve ever wondered why the same game can be called both football and soccer, you’re not alone. The answer is a mix of history, language tricks, and the need to keep things clear when other codes of football exist.

Where the word “soccer” comes from

Back in the 1800s, England’s football clubs split into two groups. One followed the rules of the Rugby Football Union, the other followed the new Association Football rules. To tell them apart, people started using abbreviations: “rugger” for rugby and “assoc” for association football. Adding the friendly “‑er” ending gave us “soccer.” It was a slang term used by students at Cambridge and quickly spread across Britain.

At that time, the sport was still growing, and there was no need to pick a single name for the whole world. “Football” was already used for several games, so “soccer” helped avoid confusion.

Why most countries stick with “football”

When the game traveled overseas, many places adopted the name they heard most often. In Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, the sport stayed tied to the word “football” because there was no other popular football code to clash with.

In the United States, Canada, and Australia, other forms of football—American, Canadian, and Australian Rules—were already dominant. To keep the sports distinct, broadcasters and fans preferred “soccer.” That’s why you’ll hear “football” in a UK pub, but “soccer” on an American TV channel.

Even today, the two terms coexist. Many English speakers use both depending on who they’re talking to. A British player might say, “I love football,” while an American fan will say, “I love soccer.” Both are correct; they just reflect regional habits.

Understanding this history helps you avoid awkward moments. If you’re chatting with a friend from England, drop the “soccer” and stick with “football.” If you’re posting in a US forum, “soccer” will feel natural.

So the next time someone asks why football is called soccer, you can hand them a quick story: a British school nickname that survived a century of global growth and now lives side‑by‑side with the word “football.” It’s a simple reminder that names change, but the love for the game stays the same.

Why is football even called soccer when both are the same?

As a blogger, I've always been curious about why football is called soccer when both terms refer to the same sport. After some research, I discovered that the term "soccer" originated from the British abbreviation "assoc" for "association football." The term gained popularity in countries where another form of football, like American or Australian, already existed. However, the majority of the world still refers to the sport as football. It's fascinating how language and regional differences can create such confusion for such a globally loved sport!