New to the world of soccer and the biggest international tournament? The18 has you covered with our Fan Guide to the World Cup. First up is World Cup terms you need to know. Watch this and learn everything you need to sound like an expert at your watch party this November/December!
Group Play: Preliminary round-robin games (3 total) to qualify for knockout rounds
Knockout Rounds: The round following group play. Sudden Death. Winner moves on. Loser goes home.
Cap: A game appearance made by a player, no matter the length of time in the game.
Counter Attack: When the defending team stops an attack and starts their own attack toward goal.
First Eleven: The 11 players chosen to start the game.
Stoppage Time: Time added after the regular 45 minutes (but not overtime) to make up for injuries and stoppages in play.
Extra Time: Overtime. Two 10-minute periods played in knockout games after a tie score.
Brace: When a single player scores two goals in the same match.
Defensive Third: The third of the field when split lengthwise closest to your own goal.
Final Third: The third of the field when split lengthwise with your opponents goal. The attacking third.
FIFA - Fédération Internationale de Football Association - the governing body of the world of international football
Golden Boot: Awarded to the player who scores the most goals by the end of the competition.
Group of Death: the hardest group with the most top-quality teams. Usually means a top team won't make the knockout round.
Panenka: A style of penalty kick that chips the ball down the middle at the last minute, tricking the goalie with the slow speed of the shot
Park the Bus: When a team stacks their players behind the ball when defending to reduce scoring opportunities
Pitch: another word for field
Set Piece: Type of dead ball used by the attacking team to create scoring opportunities. eg., free kick, corner kick
Sitter: a scoring opportunity very close to goal, usually near the 6 yard box. pros are expected to score these.
