The difference between these two sports is day and night. World football, which is also known as soccer in the U.S, is the most played and famous sport in the world. It’s called soccer in some regions to distinguish it from American football, which is also known as rugby in many parts of the world.
Surprisingly, world football is way less popular than American football in the U.S.; not many Americans know about it or are usually confused about the sport. Apart from the name, both sports have many differences listed below.
Use of feet
Apparently, the name football in American football does not make sense when feet are only being used for running on the pitch and occasionally in kick-offs or field goals. Whereas in soccer, it’s illegal to touch the ball with your hands unless you are a goalkeeper.
Scoring
Another major difference is scoring. First, world football rarely sees many goals, and sometimes, the match ends scoreless. However, in American football, it’s always a high-scoring match. Second, the rules of scoring are different as well. In American football, a touchdown is worth 6-8 points, while a goal in world football means one point.
League scoring system
The NFL is the most successful and renowned American football league whereas world football has several leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A; each world football playing nation has its league. So, to win a championship in world football leagues, a team needs to have the most points by the end of the league. In contrast, the NFL has playoffs. The leaders of each division and two wild cards from each conference compete in a knockout tournament, aka playoffs, to determine the winner. It also impacts the NFL betting lines and offers more varieties to wager on.
Rule of tie
The NFL only has a tie when the scores are the same even after the first overtime; however, in college games, it’s not an option. On the other hand, in world football, several games end up in a tie or a draw. This scoring method makes many teams lose the championship because, in the end, one point can make a difference.
Tournaments
The final of the NFL is called the Super Bowl, one of the most-watched sporting events. The winner is the ultimate champion of American football. On the other hand, world football has different leagues and tournaments determining the best club in a country. There are also tournaments like F.A Cup, Cope Del Rey, etc., but the greatest and most prestigious league of all is the UEFA Champions League, which contests matches between the best clubs in Europe.
Players’ movement
The best soccer players move around the world, which makes the sport widely accepted. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo moved from La Liga to Serie A and now to the Premier League. Lionel Messi moved from La Liga to Ligue 1 (French soccer league). It gives an edge to soccer over other sports, especially American football, which has only one well-reputed league, and all the best players can be found in the NFL only.
Difference in gameplay
Soccer only has one commercial break, and that’s at halftime. There are no other breaks, and the games continue without a stoppage unless there is an injury. In American football, there are many breaks, and the game feels a little dragged on.