American soccer fans face criticism for using term soccer instead of football

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 4:34 PM

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

American soccer fans face criticism for using term soccer instead of football
Summary

As the World Cup occurs in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, American fans encounter mocking comments for using 'soccer' instead of 'football.' The term 'soccer' has roots in England, where it originated from 'association football' in the 1880s. While many countries outside the U.S. use the name, American football's existence led to the preference for 'soccer' in the U.S. Sky Sports also aired a show called 'Soccer Saturday' in the UK, reinforcing the usage within the English context.

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By the Numbers
  • World Cup is hosted by U.S., Canada, and Mexico
  • American fans criticized for using 'soccer'
  • Term originated in England in the 1880s
  • Confusion avoided with American football's presence
  • Other countries like Australia also use 'soccer'
Latest Updates
  • 4:34 PMYahoo SportsWhy do Americans call the game soccer instead of football?
What they're saying
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American fans get mocked for saying soccer, but they didn't come up with the name.

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