Football Around the World
Explore the game Americans call soccer, from basic rules to global tournaments, local traditions, and exciting cup matches.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Which player may use their hands inside their own penalty area during normal play?
Most soccer players move the ball with their feet. One player has a special job protecting the goal.
- The goalkeeper
- A defender
- A forward
This player is the team's last line of defense.
Show solution
- The goalkeeper
The goalkeeper cannot normally use their hands outside their own penalty area.
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2. Complétez le blanc.
A standard adult soccer match has two halves. The break between them is called ___.
- extra time
- halftime
- stoppage time
This break comes in the middle of the match.
Show solution
A standard adult soccer match has two halves. The break between them is called halftime.
Teams usually switch ends of the field for the second half.
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3. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What is this restart called?
A player kicks the ball over the sideline. A player from the other team returns it to play with both hands.
- A corner kick
- A goal kick
- A throw-in
The name describes how the player sends the ball back onto the field.
Show solution
- A throw-in
A throw-in is taken from the place where the ball crossed the sideline.
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4. Complétez le blanc.
During a match, the referee shows a player a red card for a serious foul. The player must ___.
- leave the field
- wait on the field for a warning
- stay on the field until halftime
A red card ends the player's participation in the match.
Show solution
During a match, the referee shows a player a red card for a serious foul. The player must leave the field.
The team cannot replace a player who is sent off during the match, so it has to play with fewer players.
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5. Complétez le blanc.
In this league, a win earns three points, a draw earns one, and a loss earns none. When a match ends in a ___, both teams earn one point.
- win
- loss
- draw
Neither team wins when a match ends this way.
Show solution
In this league, a win earns three points, a draw earns one, and a loss earns none. When a match ends in a draw, both teams earn one point.
A draw means the teams finish with equal scores. In American English, it is also called a tie.
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6. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What kind of teams compete in the FIFA World Cup?
Fans around the world follow matches such as Brazil against Germany in the FIFA World Cup.
- Club teams representing cities
- National teams representing countries
- Teams representing universities
Think about what Brazil and Germany represent.
Show solution
- National teams representing countries
A national team can bring together players who normally play for different clubs.
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7. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
The UEFA Champions League brings together clubs from which region?
Clubs from Spain, Germany, and Italy compete in the UEFA Champions League.
- Europe
- South America
- Africa
The countries mentioned belong to the same continent.
Show solution
- Europe
Clubs can compete in the Champions League while also playing in their own national leagues.
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8. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
How is futsal different from standard eleven-player soccer?
Futsal is a form of soccer often played indoors. Each team has five players, including a goalkeeper.
- It has no goalkeepers.
- It uses more players on each team.
- It uses fewer players on each team.
Compare the sizes of the teams.
Show solution
- It uses fewer players on each team.
Futsal also uses a ball that bounces less, which helps players control it on a hard court.
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9. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What is this kind of match commonly called?
Two clubs from the same city have a long rivalry. Their supporters pay special attention whenever the clubs meet.
- A match between national teams
- A local derby
- A match between clubs from different continents
The clubs are rivals from the same local area.
Show solution
- A local derby
Some local derbies involve clubs from nearby towns rather than from the same city.
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10. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What does this tradition usually show?
After a tough match, two players from opposing teams exchange shirts.
- Respect for an opponent
- A change in team membership
- A punishment for breaking a rule
The match is over, and the players want to show good sportsmanship.
Show solution
- Respect for an opponent
Players may keep an opponent's shirt as a reminder of the match.
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11. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Which team could take part as a guest from outside South America?
Copa América mainly brings together South American national teams. It has also invited guest teams from other regions.
- Brazil
- Uruguay
- Mexico
Think about where each country is located.
Show solution
- Mexico
Mexico is in North America and has played in Copa América as a guest.
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12. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What changes for the club next season?
A club earns promotion after a successful season in a lower division.
- It stays in the same division.
- It plays in a higher division.
- It plays in a lower division.
A successful season gives the club a chance to move up.
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- It plays in a higher division.
The opposite move, from a higher division to a lower one, is called relegation.
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13. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Why is a penalty shootout needed?
In a knockout competition, a match is still tied after extra time. The teams then have a penalty shootout.
- Only one team can move to the next round.
- Both teams need points for the league table.
- The teams need to decide who starts the second half.
In a knockout competition, both teams cannot advance to the next round.
Show solution
- Only one team can move to the next round.
Shootout goals decide the winner, but they are not added to the match score.
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14. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Why does the referee allow play to continue?
A defender fouls an attacker. However, the attacking team keeps the ball and still has a clear chance to score. The referee does not stop play.
- Fouls are allowed outside the penalty area.
- A free kick can only be given after the ball leaves the field.
- The attacking team may benefit more from continuing.
Stopping the match could take away a good scoring chance.
Show solution
- The attacking team may benefit more from continuing.
This is called advantage. The referee can still give a yellow card when play next stops.
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15. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
What happens to this team?
In a cup round played over two matches, goals from both matches are added together to decide the winner. A team wins the first match 2–0 and loses the second 1–0.
- It is eliminated because it lost the second match.
- It advances with a total score of 2–1.
- It needs a shootout because each team won once.
Compare the total goals, not the number of matches won.
Show solution
- It advances with a total score of 2–1.
The combined result is called the aggregate score. Winning one match each does not always mean a tie.