More than 250 million people play soccer worldwide, which is the most popular sport. Although it is gaining popularity in North America and Asia, it is most prevalent in Europe, Central and South America, and Africa. A rectangular field called a pitch is used for the game, and it has goals at each end. For international adult category matches, the size of the field can range from 110 to 120 yards long and 70 to 80 yards broad. The lines parallel to the goal lines are known as the touchlines, while the lines at either end of the field are known as the goal lines. Typically, grass is used as the playing field. Artificial flooring is seldom ever employed at the professional level.
The purpose of the game is to advance the ball over your opponent's goal line and up the field. A typical game lasts 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves. The crossbar, a horizontal bar that connects the goal's two upright posts, is situated in the center of the goal line. To stop the ball after it has passed the goal line in competitive games, a net is fastened to the posts and crossbar. A goal adds one more to the team's total and can be scored by any of the 11 players on the field for the squad. If an opponent accidentally kicks the ball into their own goal, the team also scores.