A beginner’s guide to World Cup soccer terms

The FIFA World Cup is set to bring major attention to soccer across North America, including matches in Vancouver and Toronto during the 2026 tournament. For people who do not follow the sport closely, the event can also bring unfamiliar terms, rules and phrases into everyday conversation. A recent CBC explainer breaks down the basics, including offside, VAR, stoppage time and extra time, along with common phrases fans use during matches. It also explains why players sometimes go to ground, how referees review key calls, and how the game is timed. The article also highlights several World Cup facts, including Canada’s previous men’s tournament appearances, Brazil’s record five titles, and the firsttime qualification of four national teams in 2026. FIFA says the expanded tournament will feature 48 teams, 104 matches and a recordbreaking level of global attention.