LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- It 's time this debate was settled once and for all . Football or soccer ? What do you think the round-ball game should be called ? While it may be a basic discussion ; arguing whether the beautiful game should be called `` football '' or `` soccer '' is one of the most fundamental debates of the code . On the face it , the answer should be simple . The world body -- FIFA -- has the word `` football '' in its title . End of story ? Not quite . The term soccer was coined as slang for `` association , '' in England in the 1880s . The Oxford University Association Football Club 's Web site explains that former England captain Charles Wreford-Brown is commonly credited with its origin . Soccer would have been used to differentiate between University sports rugby football ( `` rugger '' ) and `` association '' football . Therefore , contrary to popular belief , the word soccer is a British term , not an American one . Soccer is more commonly used in countries that play other forms of football , i.e . Americans also play gridiron football and Australians who play `` Aussie Rules '' football -- a completely different sport entirely . Soccer was initially referred to as football in the United States . In 1913 the United States of America Football Association was formed . In later years , it became the United States Soccer Football Association and today is known as the United States Soccer Federation . Meanwhile they now have the Football Federation of Australia , it 's hard to imagine a change to the national side 's `` Socceroos '' nickname anytime soon . The `` Footyroos '' does n't quite have the same sound to it . Now , you may be sitting back in Britain reading this and wondering why there should be any debate at all about the name of football ? If you are thinking that , just remember one of the most popular shows in Britain is called `` Soccer Saturday '' , so it 's not as clear cut as you may think ! Even the sport 's governing body seems to be open to both options . At next year 's FIFA World Cup in South Africa , the area where fans will gather during the tournament is to be called `` Soccer City '' . Maybe the word `` football '' just does n't work ? We 'd like you to tell us whether the game should be called football or soccer and why . Let us know in the SoundOff box below . You can also vote in the quick vote on the Football Fanzone homepage . Or , if you really want to make your case -- why not post us a video or photos at the Football Fanzone page on iReport.com . Olivia Sterns contributed to this report .
He asks : Should the ' beautiful game ' be called football or soccer ? The word ` ` ' '' is in the name of the game 's governing body . It 's alternative ` ` soccer '' is still widely used around the world .