Soccer is called the most popular sport in the world, as of November 2026. The World Cup is held every four years. The first World Cup was played in 1930 in Uruguay, and Uruguay won by beating Argentina 4-2. The first Women's World Cup was held in China in 1991, and the Women's World Cup is also held every four years.

A soccer team has eleven players on the field. Each team tries to get the ball into the other team's goal. A goal counts when the ball goes between the posts and under the crossbar. A soccer ball is round and about 68 to 70 centimeters around. The team that scores more goals wins the match. If both teams have the same score, the match is a draw.

A soccer match has two halves of 45 minutes each. A referee runs each match and blows a whistle when a rule is broken. Except for the goalkeeper, players cannot touch the ball with their hands or arms during play. Players can use their head, chest or thighs as well as their feet. A referee shows a yellow card as a caution. A player who gets a red card must leave the field.

At the World Cup, teams first play in groups of four. In a group, a win earns three points, a draw one point and a loss none. After the groups come knockout games, and losing a knockout match means a team is out. If a knockout game is still tied, it is played on for extra time. If it is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out picks the winner.

As of November 2026, the 2026 World Cup had 48 teams, more than ever before. It was hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States. In 2026, Spain won the World Cup. As of November 2026, Brazil has won the World Cup five times.

Words to know

• group: team set
• knockout: out if lose
• draw: a tied match
• hosted: held by

The short version

Soccer is called the most popular sport in the world, as of November 2026. The World Cup is held every four years. The 2026 World Cup had 48 teams, more than ever before, and three countries hosted it: Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Quick facts

• As of November 2026, the 2026 World Cup had 48 teams, more than ever before.
• At the World Cup, teams first play in groups of four. A win earns three points, a draw one point and a loss none.
• After the groups, losing a knockout match means a team is out.
• If a knockout game is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out picks the winner.
• As of November 2026, Brazil has won the World Cup five times.