Exploring why Americans call soccer instead of football

In the U.S., 'football' is generally associated with the American version of the sport, which is played with hands. The term 'soccer' originated in England as a shortened form of 'association football' and was adopted in America to differentiate from gridiron football. While the U.S. primarily uses the term 'soccer,' other countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa also use it. The upcoming World Cup stirs interest in this terminology as discussions about the sport's global identity ignite.

• 9:30 AMYahoo Sports — Why do Americans say 'soccer' instead of 'football'? What to know ahead of World Cup