Football a team ball game played in many different forms, for example, association football or soccer, American football, Australian football and rugby football. Of these different forms, only soccer is played in Bangladesh. It is played between two teams, each of 11 players, on a field 90 - 120 m long and 45 - 90 m wide, with an inflated spherical ball of circumference 69 cm. The objective of the game is to kick or head the ball into the opponent's goal, an area 7.31 m wide and 2.44 m high. Each time a team's player succeeds in thus pushing the ball through the goal posts, a goal is scored and the team that scores more in the game's stipulated time (90 minutes) in two periods with a break in the middle for rest and change of sides by the playing teams. A team is broadly divided into defence (the goalkeeper and defenders), midfield (for collection of the ball from the defenders and distribution to the attackers) and the attack (forwards or strikers). The field has a halfway line marked with a centre circle, two penalty areas and two goal areas. On the field of play itself, only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with the hands and then only within the goal area. If the ball is pushed outside the delineated field area it must be refreshed through kicking or throwing. The game is controlled by a referee, who is assisted by two linesmen.

Played in England from the 14th century, football developed in the 19th century and the first set of rules were drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848. In UK, the rules were modified by the Football Association, founded in 1863. Slight amendments to the rules take effect in certain competitions and overseas matches as laid down by the sport's world governing body, Federation Internationale de Football (FIFA, 1904). FIFA organises the competition for the World Cup held every four years since 1930. Other major events include the European Championship (instituted in 1958 and held every four years since 1960), The European Champions' Cup (first held in 1955), the European Cup Winners' Cup (held in 1960) and the UEFA Cup (formerly the Inter-cities Fare's Cup, first held in 1955). Football was incorporated in the Olympic games in 1908 and in Asian Games in 1951. The Asian Club Football Championship started in 1967.

Football was introduced in India by the British. The first competitive football match was held in India between the teams of the armed forces and Bombay Islands in 1821 at Bombay. Meanwhile football had already gained some popularity in Allahabad, Calcutta and Dhaka. The IFA Shield Cup of India took off in 1893.

The responsibility of overall supervision and development of football in Bangladesh lies with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFUFE) established in 1972. BAFUFE organised a football league at Dhaka in 1972. Federation Cup Football championship started in 1980. Other tournaments now taking place in the country include the Premier Division Football League, DAMFA Cup, the First Division, Second Division and Third Division Football Leagues and the Bangabandhu Cup International Football Tournament. Football leagues are held regularly at district and thana levels. Some large football clubs of the country are the Mohamedan Sporting Club, Abahani Krira Chakra, Brothers Union, Muktijoddah Sangsad, and Wari Club. [Gofran Faroqi]