When it comes to the world’s most popular sport, most of the globe agrees on one thing: it’s called football. But not every country is on the same page.

While the United States and Canada often get singled out for calling the game soccer, they’re not as alone as many think.

Here’s a look at 10 countries that use the term soccer—either officially, colloquially, or in common usage—showing that it’s not just North America going against the grain.

Fans from over 130 countries have purchased nearly 1.5 million tickets for the Club World Cup that kicked off last weekend in its newly expanded format across the United States, FIFA said on Tuesday.

A crowd of more than 60,000 turned up for the opener at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, which featured Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, while some 80,000 were in the Rose Bowl stands as Paris St Germain beat Atletico Madrid 4-0 on Sunday.

Club World Cup attendances: 1.5 million tickets sold according to FIFA

The United States women’s national team got their 2025 summer off to flying start on Saturday with a stellar 3-0 victory against China in a friendly.

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes will be pleased with her side as they controlled just about every aspect of the game. The big highlight was a brilliant Sam Coffey strike in the first half to double the USA’s lead.

In the 35th minute Catarina Macario received the ball in the box and laid it off to a wide open Coffey. The 26-year-old Portland Thorns midfielder made no mistake and ripped a shot into the net.

It’s called soccer, world.

Major League Soccer has made a significant jump on the global soccer landscape in terms of value, with 19 of its clubs featured in Sportico's most-recent list of the world's 50 most valuable soccer teams. 

A Christian Pulisic goal and assist vs Bologna secured AC Milan a 3-1 comeback victory at San Siro on Friday as the American continued his best club season of his career.

Friday’s Serie A matchup saw ninth-placed Milan struggle as has been the case for most of the season, however a late push inspired by Pulisic led the Rossoneri to three points.

With Milan trailing 1-0 late in the second half, Pulisic assisted his Mexican teammate Santiago Giménez to get Milan level.

Pulisic goal and assist vs Bologna

He's Captain America for a reason, baby.

Christian Pulisic has confirmed his strong run of form for AC Milan, scoring his 10th Serie A goal of the season in a composed 2-0 away victory over Venezia.

Watch: Pulisic goal vs. Venezia

The American winger opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, finishing coolly into the bottom corner after a clever assist from Youssouf Fofana inside the box.

Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net once again as Al Nassr cruised to a 4-1 victory vs. Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the AFC Champions League quarterfinal.

The home side dominated the Japanese visitors who are on a terrible run of form sitting dead last in the J-League.

Jhon Durán opened the scoring in the 27th minute with Sadio Mané scoring just four minutes later. Ronaldo then made it 3-0 with a close range effort following a save from the goalkeeper.

Cristiano Ronaldo goal vs Yokohama F. Marinos

The 2025 Lionel Messi attendance numbers have been through the roof this season as Inter Miami’s road games draw massive crowds.

Messi and company remain the only undefeated side in Major League Soccer after eight games and have reached the semifinal of the Concacaf Champions Cup. It seems everywhere the Herons go, the people follow to catch a glimpse of Messi.

Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium only seats 21,550 meaning the big numbers have come on the road. Here’s a list of Inter Miami’s road attendance in 2025 so far.