Soccer: The World's Sport on the Web

• Although this guide calls the sport "soccer," the names soccer and football are used interchangeably on Web sites. The other kind of football you might be familiar with is referred to as "American football" on non-U.S. Web sites.

• Having a soccer glossary on hand might be helpful when reading through unfamiliar terms. Here is a glossary from the Football Research Organisation UK.

• Different organizations sometimes have different rules. Go to the rules or "laws of the game" section on the Web site of the organization that interests you.

• International confederations preside over cup competitions among domestic leagues and international teams; they also handle World Cup qualifying matches.

• There are six confederations: North/Central America (CONCACAF); South America (Conmebol); Europe (UEFA); Asia (AFC); Africa (CAF); and Oceania (OFC).

• National federations govern domestic leagues and cups, as well as national teams. For example, the U.S. Soccer Federation governs the MLS, USL, and U.S. Open Cup for professional teams, and runs the U.S. National Team. Federations are also responsible for soccer as a whole in their country, overseeing amateur, youth and school competitions, and trying to increase soccer's presence.

• To find an index of national federations, use the "Countries" tab on the top, right-hand side of the FIFA homepage. Each country's profile features news, stats, standings, world rankings, and a link to the official federation site. Note that these links are not always in English.

• To find professional club leagues, use FIFA's country profile pages mentioned in the previous insight. Each profile features a table and fixture list for the premier domestic league.

• All the sites in this section feature history pages, news, stats, league table (standings), schedules, and team profiles.

• For basic player stats, look at the league sites listed in the "Where can I find leagues and governing bodies?" section of this guide.

• Magazine subscriptions to soccer magazines are some of the best sources for information from knowledgeable authors. You can use print magazines' Web sites to either subscribe or read limited content straight from the Internet.

• Some streaming games require software you may not have on your computer. Be sure to check the technical requirements beforehand so you don't miss kick-off as you wait to download new software.

• The best channels to find soccer coverage are Fox Soccer Channel, Setanta Sports, and GolTV. ESPN also offers coverage of the MLS and Champions League.

• The World Cup has tricky procedures for acquiring tournament tickets. You will undoubtedly want to get started on the application process very early. Here is some helpful information on getting some of the most sought after tickets to a sporting event:

• Residents of most countries will be able to order tickets from their own national soccer association. Go to that nation's Web site for more details on their specific application process.

• You can also order tickets during FIFA's own public sales period through the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Center (FWCTC). Applications must be made in writing and can be obtained through the Web site or by contacting the organization via mail or telephone. For contact information and more, visit FIFA.com.
  

• Auctions and classifieds sites such as eBay and StubHub are good venues for finding tickets (possibly overpriced) from peers after games sell out. For more information, see the findingDulcinea Sports Guide.

• Be wary of scalpers. Before planning to acquire tickets from a scalper on game day, it might be helpful to investigate your state's scalping laws.

• Often the most reliable way to get tickets to games is to check league or tournament Web sites for their reputable online ticket offices. In many cases, this will be the only official way to get tickets, and you will save a lot of money, comparatively, when you buy tickets from the official sources before they are sold out.

• Sites such as http://www.optasoccer.com/ acknowledge their often exorbitantly high prices. This site clarifies, "Our prices are much higher than the face value of the tickets. This reflects the degree of difficulty, and, of course, the cost of obtaining tickets."

• Check privacy policies and always exhibit cautious behavior when dealing with third party ticket sales.

• For more advice on shopping online, use the findingDulcinea Shopping Web Guide.

• While advice can be very helpful, most players find that game experience is the best way to improve and test your competitive spirit. Check out the "Where can I find a place to play?" section of this guide to find leagues and pickup games in your area.

• Learning from the pros is another common method to improve at soccer. Check out the game highlights for specific moves and skills or watch full games to observe strategy and team movement. The "Where can I find radio and television coverage?" section of this guide includes streaming video that you can use for learning.

• Club and professional teams' official Web sites nearly always have a "store" section for purchasing jerseys, memorabilia, and more.

• General online sports stores, such as the ones listed in the findingDulcinea Sports Guide, usually include soccer sections. Don't rule out sites just because they're not solely focused on soccer.

• Many of these larger stores, as well as the equipment stores listed below, have apparel. Their selection is not as large as the apparel stores, however, and they might not offer authentic customization.

• A large number of online sports supply stores feature memberships that provide various discounts. You can usually apply to these programs straight from the shops' Web sites.

• Many sports stores offer catalogs featuring new inventory and products; these are usually available by request on their Web sites.

• For more tips on shopping and keeping your personal information secure, see the findingDulcinea Shopping Web Guide.

• With soccer's growing popularity in the United States, it should be relatively easy to find a league in your region regardless of your age.

• When looking for a league, make sure you're looking at leagues that match your needs in terms of age, skill level, and competition.

• For a full game, 22 players are needed, not including coaches or substitutes. To get a friendly game going, it can be very helpful to link up with other players in your area using the social networking picks in this section.