What is soccer
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the body that regulates the game, estimates that more than 1.3 billion people are actively interested in soccer around the world, making soccer the most popular game in the world.

Major soccer leagues

There are many major soccer leagues that you should be aware of, including:

United Kingdom and Ireland

Premier League – The highest league in the English league system, with 20 clubs competing.
English Cup – The oldest national soccer competition in the world.
Championship – The second highest league, the top two teams advance to the Premier League.
Scotland – Scottish National League
Wales – National League of Wales
Ireland – Irish National League
Women – The Women’s National League of England was founded in 1992.
Europe

European – National League for European teams
Champions League, an annual competition featuring 32 top European teams.
Europe – A larger European soccer competition with 160 teams.
International Coverage.

The FIFA World Cup is the largest soccer competition in the world, founded in 1930.
There are many other leagues, but the ones listed above are the ones you often hear about on television, in soccer publications, and in pubs.

Soccer, in its various forms, has been around for centuries. It is the most popular game and sport in the world, watched by billions each year and played by millions. There are hundreds of thousands of soccer clubs around the world, including local teams that you can join. If you like competition, this game may be for you.