football

Images, Videos & Interactives

Megan Rapinoe of the United States, in a navy and red striped uniform, competes for the ball with Clare Polkinghorne of Australia, in yellow, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's soccer bronze medal match.

Infographic summarizing FIFA World Cup history, including record tournament attendances, most appearances and top goal scorers by player and country, a map of 2026 host cities, and a timeline of past winners and milestones.

Brazil captain Carlos Alberto Torres holds the Jules Rimet trophy above his head, celebrating with fans and teammates after winning the 1970 World Cup at Azteca Stadium.

U.S. women's soccer players in red jerseys celebrate during a FIFA World Cup match, with Megan Rapinoe smiling and holding teammate Lindsey Horan.

Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar, in a white jersey, faces Takumi Minamino of Japan, wearing number 9, and another Japanese player during the 2019 Asian Cup final soccer match.

Carli Lloyd of the United States, wearing jersey number 10, kicks a penalty shot during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 semifinal against Germany, with a referee and players in the background.

Diego Maradona of Argentina, in a blue and white striped jersey, dribbles the ball past a South Korean defender during the 1986 World Cup opening match.

Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, stands at a podium gesturing with one hand while speaking, with international flags and a soccer ball visible in the background.

Wayne Rooney of England in a white jersey with number 9, crouched and focused during a 2006 FIFA World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Portugal.

Zinedine Zidane of France dribbles the ball while being closely pursued by Andrea Pirlo of Italy during the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final in Berlin.

At a Glance

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Videos

U.S. women's soccer players in red jerseys celebrate during a FIFA World Cup match, with Megan Rapinoe smiling and holding teammate Lindsey Horan.

The History Behind the FIFA World Cup

Watch this video to learn more about the history of the FIFA World Cup.

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

The chemistry behind a World Cup soccer ball

The chemistry behind a World Cup soccer ball

Explore the chemistry of the football (soccer ball) used in the 2014 World Cup.

Video: © American Chemical Society (A Britannica Publishing Partner)

A man wearing glasses and a blue turtleneck holds a globe patterned like a soccer ball, with stadium and physics equations in the background and text above stating Science of Soccer.

How Physics Makes “Impossible” Soccer Kicks Possible

You can't bend it like Beckham without a little help from physics.

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Images

Megan Rapinoe of the United States, in a navy and red striped uniform, competes for the ball with Clare Polkinghorne of Australia, in yellow, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's soccer bronze medal match.

Clare Polkinghorne and Megan Rapinoe

Team Australia's Clare Polkinghorne (left) battling with Megan Rapinoe of the United...

© Elsa/Getty Images

Infographic summarizing FIFA World Cup history, including record tournament attendances, most appearances and top goal scorers by player and country, a map of 2026 host cities, and a timeline of past winners and milestones.

FIFA World Cup records

This is an infographic highlighting prominent records set at FIFA World Cups, accurate...

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Brazil captain Carlos Alberto Torres holds the Jules Rimet trophy above his head, celebrating with fans and teammates after winning the 1970 World Cup at Azteca Stadium.

Carlos Alberto Torres, World Cup winner

Brazil's football team captain Carlos Alberto Torres holding the Jules Rimet Trophy...

Gianni Foggia—AP/Shutterstock.com

Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar, in a white jersey, faces Takumi Minamino of Japan, wearing number 9, and another Japanese player during the 2019 Asian Cup final soccer match.

2019 Asian Cup final

Hassan al-Haydos of Qatar in action against Takumi Minamino of Japan during the AFC...

Koki Nagahama/Getty Images Sport

Carli Lloyd of the United States, wearing jersey number 10, kicks a penalty shot during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 semifinal against Germany, with a referee and players in the background.

Carli Lloyd

Carli Lloyd (left) of the United States scoring a penalty goal during the semifinal...

Carmen Jaspersen/AP Images

Diego Maradona of Argentina, in a blue and white striped jersey, dribbles the ball past a South Korean defender during the 1986 World Cup opening match.

Argentina vs. South Korea

Argentine footballer Diego Maradona (right) and a South Korean defender playing in...

Colorsport

Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, stands at a podium gesturing with one hand while speaking, with international flags and a soccer ball visible in the background.

Sepp Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, 2006.

© 360b/Shutterstock.com

Wayne Rooney of England in a white jersey with number 9, crouched and focused during a 2006 FIFA World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Portugal.

Wayne Rooney

England's Wayne Rooney in action against Portugal during a FIFA World Cup quarter-final...

© Jonathan Larsen/Shutterstock.com

Zinedine Zidane of France dribbles the ball while being closely pursued by Andrea Pirlo of Italy during the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final in Berlin.

World Cup final, 2006

Zinedine Zidane (left) of France being pursued by Andrea Pirlo of Italy during the...

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport

Brazilian footballer Pele in action on the field for Brazil, about to kick a soccer ball during a match, circa 1958.

Brazilian prodigy Pelé

At 17 years and 239 days old in a match at the 1958 World Cup, Brazilian footballer...

© Pictorial Parade—Archive Photos/Getty Images

Mia Hamm of the United States women's soccer team, in a white uniform, dribbles the ball on the field with an opposing player in a red uniform behind her.

Mia Hamm

American football (soccer) player Mia Hamm (left).

© Jerry Coli/Dreamstime.com

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

Argentine-born football player Lionel Messi.

© Christopher Johnson

Michael Essien of Ghana, wearing a red jersey, jumps high to head the ball during a 2006 FIFA World Cup soccer match against the United States in Nuremberg, Germany.

Michael Essien

Michael Essien of Ghana jumping high for a header during a FIFA World Cup match against...

© Jonathan Larsen/Shutterstock.com

Homare Sawa of INAC Kobe Leonessa, wearing a maroon uniform with number 8, runs on the soccer field while controlling the ball during a match.

Sawa Homare

Sawa Homare of INAC Kobe Leonessa in action during the Nadeshiko League football...

Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

Distressed football supporters flee across a stadium walkway, some clutching bags and holding their heads, with crowded stands and scattered debris in the background.

Heysel Stadium disaster

Football (soccer) spectators at Heysel Stadium in Brussels fleeing violence after...

© Dominique Faget—AFP/Getty Images

Diagram of a professional football (soccer) pitch showing field markings, goal areas, penalty areas, center circle, and key measurements in meters and yards.

Football (soccer) pitch dimensions

Measurements of a professional football (soccer) pitch. The length of the sides of...

© Merriam-Webster Inc.

Soccer player in a white and red jersey prepares to take a free kick, facing a defensive wall of four players and a goalkeeper in front of the goal.

Penalty kick

Football player preparing to take a free kick.

© ilbusca—E+/Getty Images

2010 FIFA World Cup tournament

2010 FIFA World Cup tournament

South Africa's football (soccer) team, Bafana Bafana (in yellow), playing Mexico...

Celso Flores

Johan Cruyff of the New York Cosmos in mid-action on the soccer field, about to kick the ball as a goalkeeper dives in front of him.

Dutch wonder

Johan Cruyff playing in the New York Cosmos versus World All-Stars match in East...

© Peter Robinson/EMPICS—PA Images/Getty Images

Black and white photo of Uruguay scoring their first goal against Argentina in the 1930 World Cup Final, with players and crowd visible in the stadium.

1930 World Cup

Uruguay scoring its first goal in the World Cup final against Argentina, in Montevideo,...

AP Images

A professional football (soccer) field. International rules allow for variations in the overall field dimensions, but the touch lines must be longer than the goal lines. Play begins with a kickoff at the center line. When the ball is driven across the touch line, it is put back in play by a throw-in by the opposing side. A ball driven over the goal line but not into the goal by the attacking team is returned to play with a goal kick by the opposing goalkeeper. A player fouled in the penalty area is awarded a penalty kick at the goal, which is defended only by the goalkeeper. Within the goal area the goalkeeper may use his hands to stop and hold the ball.

A professional football (soccer) field. International rules allow for variations...

© Merriam-Webster Inc.

Interactives

Infographic titled Guide to football (soccer) explains basic rules, showing a player silhouette with green areas labeled legal for feet and head, and orange areas labeled illegal for hands and arms. Includes match duration and extra time details.

Football (soccer) rules

This slide graphic explains the basic rules of the sport.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Diagram of a football penalty kick showing a ball on the penalty spot, a yellow aiming line toward the center of the goal, and a simplified goalkeeper standing in front of the net.

Physics kick: Curve your shot

Step onto the football pitch and discover the science behind scoring amazing free...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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