With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, soccer enthusiasts in the U.S. may find themselves needing to brush up on some common soccer acronyms. While soccer is gaining popularity in America, the sport’s terminology can still be unfamiliar to many. To help fans enjoy the games without confusion, we’ve compiled a guide to some of the most frequently used acronyms in soccer.

Key Soccer Acronyms

FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association): The international governing body responsible for overseeing football, beach football, and futsal. FIFA is composed of 211 member associations and six federations and is the organizer of the World Cup.

FOP (field of play): Refers to the rectangle-shaped field marked by regulated boundaries where the game is played.

FT (full time): Marks the end of the standard 90-minute match period, excluding stoppage time added for breaks in play.

GF (goals for): The total number of goals a team has scored during a match or tournament.

GA (goals against): The total number of goals a team has conceded.

GD (goal differential): The difference between the number of goals scored (GF) and goals conceded (GA).

HT (halftime): A 15-minute break between the two 45-minute halves of a match, including stoppage time from the first half.

MP (matches played): The total number of games a team has participated in.

PA (points against): The total points a team has conceded, calculated based on match results, with a win equaling three points, a draw one point, and a loss zero points.

PK (penalty kick): A shot taken from 12 yards away from the goal line, involving only the kicker and the goalkeeper. Penalty kicks are awarded for certain offenses within the penalty box and can also decide tied matches.

RC (red cards): A penalty resulting in a player’s ejection from the game, forcing the team to play with one fewer player. Two yellow cards equal a red card, and a player receiving a red card must miss the next match.

SOG (shots on goal): Any shot that would have resulted in a goal if not saved by the goalkeeper.

VAR (video assistant referee): An official who uses video technology to review specific calls during a match, such as goal/no goal decisions, penalty kick/no penalty kick, direct red card incidents, and mistaken identity in card applications.

YC (yellow cards): A cautionary penalty given to a player, recorded by the referee. A second yellow card results in a red card and ejection from the game.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.