Soccer (Football) is the world’s most popular sport, played by two teams of 11 players each. The objective is to score goals by kicking the ball into the opponent’s net. Modern soccer began in England in the 19th century, with formal rules established in 1863. Matches last 90 minutes, divided into two halves, and players (except the goalkeeper) cannot use their hands. Soccer has been part of the Olympics since 1900 for men and 1996 for women, with age restrictions in the men’s tournament but none for women. Stars like Kylian Mbappé and top women players from the USA, France, and Brazil are expected to shine at Paris 2024.
