Football, also known as soccer, is the most popular sport in the world with over 250 million players across 200 countries. The game is played between two teams of 11 players each using a ball on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. Football originated in England in the 12th century when early versions of the game were played roughly on meadows and roads, and was much more violent than the modern game. Some of the most prestigious international football competitions include the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA European Championship, Copa America, and Copa Libertadores.