Why do all the non-English speaking nations, excluding England, use the term football to describe a game where the ball is held for the majority of play? What is the connection if any?

by [deleted]

I recently learned that all anglophone countries outside of England have a unique sport they call football where the ball is held. Canada, America, Australia, Ireland all seem to have a local game called football that isn't soccer. I am not sure about New Zealand but I wouldn't be surprised.

Is there a common ancestor game that was called football? When did the game soccer start being called football in England? Really, what is the connection here? I am not trying to argue whether football or soccer is a more appropriate term, I am just surprised to learn this considering how some people feel passionately that soccer isn't a correct name for the sport.

petros08

Both Gaelic football and Australian Rules were intended as kicking games although the ball could be held. In Gaelic there are limits on how the ball can be picked up and how far it can be carried. Prior to the 1950s there was far less running and hand passing than today. When the rules of Gaelic Football were codified, there was a deliberate decision to emphasise the kicking game over carrying despite some evidence that the carrying game was more historically authentic.