Asia

United States, Australia, Japan and more: Countries that call it ‘soccer’ instead of ‘football’

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.

Watch: Yassine Bounou’s insane stop on his back vs. Man City might be the best save of 2025

Al Hilal defeated Premier League giants Manchester City 4-3 in the Club World Cup on Monday in one of the most entertaining games of the tournament. A Yassine Bounou save vs Man City has everyone talking.

Manchester City nearly doubled their 1-0 lead in the 24th minute, however Bounou came up with a mind boggling save to deny Savinho.

The Moroccan goalkeeper appeared defeated on his back, but then extended his left arm toward goal to make an unbelievable stop.

Yassine Bounou save vs Man City

Cristiano Ronaldo’s new contract details after Al Nassr extension are INSANE

Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two year extension with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and the details of his new contract are mindboggling. CR7 is receiving a contract that the sports world has never seen before.

Ronaldo, 40, will stay with Al Nassr until 2027 and the Riyadh club broke the bank, and then another bank to keep the Portuguese icon in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo Al Nassr contract details (2025)

USMNT will be tested against Asia’s best with September friendlies vs. Japan and South Korea

The U.S. men's national team scheduled two friendlies for early September to begin their warmup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they are co-hosting along with Canada and Mexico.

The USMNT will face South Korea on Sept. 6 at the New York Red Bulls' home stadium in Harrison, N.J. On Sept. 9, the Americans will play Japan at the home of the Columbus Crew.

USMNT September friendlies

Cristiano Ronaldo scores as Al Nassr advance to AFC Champions League semifinals

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

Former FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza dies after falling from building

Former FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza died following a fall from the 11th floor of a building in China, the Gabonese Football Federation announced Wednesday. He was 28.

Boupendza, a Gabon international who joined Zhejiang FC of the Chinese Super League earlier this year, played in parts of two seasons with FC Cincinnati.

Aaron Boupendza death

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo bags brace vs. Al Hilal to bring career goal tally to 931

Two Cristiano Ronaldo goals vs Al Hilal on Friday marked the 930th and 931st of his career as Al Nassr secured a 3-1 Saudi Pro League victory against their rivals.

Friday’s game at Al Hilal’s Kingdom Arena saw two of the most prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia clash and the league’s biggest name find the back of the net twice. In the 47th minute Sadio Mané found CR7 in the box on an Al Nassr break with the Portuguese icon finishing coolly.

Cristiano Ronaldo goals vs Al Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo nearly takes the net off with his 926th career goal

Ladies and gentlemen, Cristiano Ronaldo goal 926 has arrived as the 40-year-old scored in Al Nassr’s 2-2 draw vs. Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

Friday’s goal was a special one in the stat book for Ronaldo because it officially means he’s scored as many goals (463) since he turned 30 as he did before he turned 30 (463). The man just doesn’t age.

Ronaldo’s goal came in first half stoppage time when he blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range. The effort was initially ruled offside, however after a review the goal was awarded.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo’s flying header vs Al Wehda marks his 925th career goal

Cristiano Ronaldo goal 925 of his career saw the Al Nassr striker score from close range in his side’s 2-0 victory vs. Al Wehda on Tuesday.

In the 48th minute CR7 scored the game’s opening goal with a flicked header to the far post after a sublime delivery into the penalty area.

Cristiano Ronaldo goal 925

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo angrily blasts ball into stands after baffling Jhon Durán red card

Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 this February and hasn’t lost an ounce of his competitiveness. A “Ronaldo kicks ball into stands” video from Al Nassr’s 3-2 defeat to Al Ettifaq on Friday has gone viral.

In stoppage time Al Nassr were down a goal and in desperate need of an equalizer. The Saudi giants then went down a man after new star signing Jhon Durán was given a ridiculous red card.

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