Why Is Football Called ‘Soccer’ in America? The Surprising Historical Origin

Football is the world’s most popular sport, yet in the United States and Canada it is commonly known as “soccer.” The reason behind this difference dates back more than a century and has its roots in England rather than America.

According to sports historians, the term emerged after the formation of the Football Association in England in 1863. At the time, the game was officially known as “Association Football” to distinguish it from “Rugby Football.”

Professor Stefan Szymanski of the University of Michigan explained that students at elite British universities, particularly Oxford, had a habit of shortening words and adding the suffix “-er.” Just as “rugby” became “rugger,” “association” was shortened to “soc” and eventually evolved into “soccer.”

Historical records show that the term “soccer” was already being used in school magazines and student circles during the 1880s and 1890s.

Over time, the word spread to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In America, where the term “football” became associated with American football, “soccer” remained the preferred name for the sport.

Experts note that despite common assumptions, the word “soccer” is not an American invention. It originated in England and remained in use there for decades before “football” became the dominant term in Britain.