Why is Football Not Called Rugby?

The world of sport can be confusing when it comes to terminology. Some countries call soccer “football”, while others refer to American football simply as “football”. And then there’s rugby, a sport that shares historical ties with football but remains distinctly separate.

So, why isn’t football called rugby, and how did these two sports evolve into what they are today? Let’s explore the fascinating history behind these games, their rules, origins, and names, and why they remain distinct despite sharing common ancestry.

The Common Roots of Football and Rugby

The reason football and rugby have separate names today is due to their shared origins. Both games evolved from the same early ball games played in England during the 19th century.

Back then, there was no single “football” game—instead, different schools and towns had their own versions of football, each with different rules. Some allowed carrying the ball while others strictly enforced kicking only.

One of the most famous moments in this split happened in 1823 at Rugby School in England. According to legend, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it, creating what would later become rugby football.

However, other schools rejected this and preferred games that involved only kicking and dribbling—which laid the foundation for association football (soccer).

The Official Split: Rugby vs. Association Football

The true divergence between football and rugby occurred in 1863, when a group of clubs in England came together to create the Football Association (FA). Their goal was to standardize the rules and eliminate the more physical, handling-based aspects of the game.

• Football Association (FA) rules banned handling the ball (except for goalkeepers).
• Rugby Football rules continued to allow players to carry the ball and tackle opponents.

This led to the creation of two distinct sports:

1. Association Football (Soccer) – governed by the Football Association, leading to what we now call soccer in some countries.
2. Rugby Football – governed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which would later split into rugby union and rugby league.

Over time, the two sports became increasingly specialized, with football emphasizing passing, kicking, and finesse, while rugby focused on tackling, physicality, and running with the ball.

Why Do Some Countries Call It Soccer and Others Call It Football?

The term “soccer” comes from association football. In late 19th-century England, it was common to add “-er” to shortened words (e.g., “rugger” for rugby). The name “soccer” came from “assoc football” (short for “association football”).

However, the term “soccer” was mostly used in British schools and elite universities, while the rest of England simply called it “football”.

Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa started using “soccer” to differentiate it from their own versions of football, such as gridiron football (NFL), Australian Rules Football (AFL), and rugby.

Despite this, most of the world still calls the sport “football” because it’s the dominant form of the game in Europe, South America, and Africa.

Why is Rugby Not Called Football?

Although rugby was originally called “rugby football”, over time, the “football” part was dropped in many places. Here’s why:

1. To Avoid Confusion – As soccer became dominant worldwide, “football” became associated more with association football, so rugby was just called rugby to distinguish it.
2. Different Gameplay – Unlike association football, rugby allows using hands, tackling, and physical contact, making it fundamentally different from what the world now considers “football”.
3. The Split of Rugby Into Union and League – By the early 20th century, rugby itself had split into rugby union and rugby league, further making “football” a less relevant term for the sport.

Even in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where rugby is hugely popular, it is still referred to simply as rugby, not football.

How Does American Football Fit Into This?

American football, which is dominant in the United States, evolved from rugby rather than association football. In the 1860s and 1870s, American colleges played versions of rugby football before making rule changes that led to the birth of gridiron football (now known as American football).

Key differences include:

• The introduction of a forward pass (which is illegal in rugby).
• The creation of downs and set plays.
• The development of protective gear like helmets and pads.

This is why Americans call their sport “football”, despite it having more similarities to rugby than soccer.

Major Differences Between Football (Soccer) and Rugby

Why Do Some Countries Still Call Rugby “Football”?

In some regions, rugby is still referred to as a form of football. Examples include:

• Australia & New Zealand – The term “footy” can refer to either Australian Rules Football or Rugby League, depending on the context.
• South Africa – Rugby is sometimes called rugby football, especially in older contexts.
• France – Rugby union is sometimes called “le football rugby”, although it is mostly just “rugby” now.

However, in global conversation, football almost always refers to soccer.

External High Authority Links

For more information on the history of football and rugby, check out:

• FIFA Official Website – Learn about the origins of association football.
• World Rugby – The governing body of rugby union.
• NRL Official Website – Home of professional rugby league in Australia.

Call to Action

Now that you know why football and rugby have different names, which sport do you prefer? Do you think rugby should still be called “rugby football”, or is it fine as just “rugby”?

Let us know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this article, share it with your fellow sports fans and subscribe for more in-depth content! ⚽

See Also: What is 13 in Rugby League?