Why Is Football Called Soccer in the US and Canada?

Football captivates millions globally, yet in two of the 2026 World Cup co-hosts, the sport goes by a different name: soccer. This alternative term often sparks curiosity about its origin and acceptance.

Early Usage in England

Stefan Szymanski, emeritus professor at the University of Michigan who grew up in England during the 1960s and 1970s, recalls that the word soccer was quite normal back then. He found it odd how the debate over football versus soccer seemed so intense nowadays. After speaking to friends, he realized that during his youth, the term didn’t raise any controversy.

Elite Beginnings of Football

Football’s roots trace back to 1863 when the Football Association was formed by Oxford graduates from prestigious public schools. They called the game they played under these rules "association football" to distinguish it from rugby football, which was another popular sport.

From Association to Soccer

In the late 19th century, university students had a tendency to shorten words and add "-er" for slang. For example, breakfast became "brekker," and rugby was nicknamed "rugger." It seems this pattern gave birth to "soccer" from "association"—taking "soc" from the middle and adding "-er." Although no one can confirm this with absolute certainty, numerous records link the word’s origin to Oxford students.

Spread Beyond Britain

Sports historian Andy Mitchell has found printed examples of "soccer" or "socker" in English school magazines from 1885, suggesting the term was already in oral use even earlier. While "socker" faded away, "soccer" persisted and traveled with the sport to other countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada.

Why the US Uses Soccer

In the United States, the word football refers to American football, a sport that developed from rugby and carries some similarities to soccer. Because American football grew popular around the same time the term soccer emerged, both names have coexisted. The two sports are closely linked, almost like cousins, which partly explains the differing terminology.

Modern Perceptions

British newspapers used both "football" and "soccer" well into the 1980s before "football" became dominant. Today, some Americans apologize when they say soccer, assuming Brits might dislike it. Szymanski finds this polite but reminds everyone that "soccer" is originally an English word and perfectly acceptable to use.