The term “soccer” has its roots in England during the late 19th century. It is derived from the sport’s full name, “association football.” To distinguish it from other forms of football, such as rugby football or American football, players and fans began abbreviating it as “assoc football,” which later evolved into “soccer.”

The recognizable form of modern soccer began in England in the mid-19th century, with the establishment of consistent rules and official soccer organizations.