Unmasking the American Jargon: What is Football Called in America?

Soccer and football are often misunderstood, especially between Americans and others outside the U.S. Soccer describes what American football is called outside the U.S., while football refers to American football here. This difference reflects culture and history.

Football vs Soccer

What Does a Name Reveal?

In the United States, “football” refers to American football, a sport akin to rugby. Whenever Americans describe “soccer,” they mean that the majority of the world considers “football.”

This naming misunderstanding originated in the late 1800s, when American schools switched from soccer-like principles to rugby ones, and so the word “football” became synonymous with the American sport.

Want more on this? Check out our article on is football the same as soccer?.

Everyone Has Their Preferences

Names differ according to location. In the U.S. and Ireland, it’s “soccer” to avoid confusion with American football. But in most other places, “football” means soccer.

In places like the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, they call American football “gridiron” or just “American football” to keep things straight. This helps avoid mix-ups where association football (soccer) is king.

For a full rundown of who calls it what, see our article on which countries call it soccer vs football?.

It is useful to know how sports are viewed around the world. Sports fans and anyone who is curious about how sports are viewed are also able to benefit from this information.

In case you are wondering why Americans call it soccer?, we have a detailed explanation in our article detailing why do Americans call it soccer?.

By looking at these naming quirks and regional habits, you get a better grip on how the sport is seen and talked about worldwide. This can really boost your appreciation and understanding of global sports culture.

The Facts Behind the Popularity of American Football and Football (Soccer)

Have you ever noticed why football, also known as soccer, and American football have such large followings? Here are some startling facts and some background to help you understand.

How many people are watching?

Football, often known as soccer, is widely recognized as one of the most prominent sport in the globe of athletics. Consider the magnitude of the audience that witnessed the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final among Argentina and France!

That represents around 20% of the Earth’s surface. Comparable to the Super Bowl with 115 million viewers. Soccer still has a far greater global reach than these numbers suggest.

However, in the United States, American football reigns supreme. Since 1972, it has surpassed baseball as the most popular sport. According to Gallup, over 28% of US adults have continuously called it their favorite sport, with recent polls indicating figures closer to 40% (Gallup).

How Did We Get Here?

How Did We Get Here? Firstly, the professional football league National Football League began in 1920 and has now developed into a money-making it Effortful, with an estimated $18.6 billion in profits by 2022.

The Super Bowl, which is held annually, is the apogee of American sports, with the highest number of spectators observing a single day of competition. Eight of the ten most-watched telecasts in American history are Super Bowl events, which are so popular.

Soccer is gaining popularity in the US with the help of MLS (Major League Soccer). However, American football is anchored in deep cultural roots.

Want to know more about the soccer vs. football debate? Check out our articles on should I say soccer or football? and why do Americans call it soccer?.