Girls’ soccer survival guide! Watch the World Cup without pretending you get it, and pick up these key football terms in a second

Key points

• The 2026 World Cup officially kicks off in June, sparking excitement among soccer fans around the world.
• Nine key terms, including offside and own goals, can help women follow soccer matches.
• “執死雞” refers to scoring on a rebound in front of goal, while “炒飛機” means kicking the ball high over the goal.
• “Parking the bus” refers to an extreme tactic in which a team defends its penalty area with everything it has, simply to avoid losing.

As the 2026 World Cup officially gets underway in June, it seems that friends and social media alike are filled with talk of this once-every-four-years sporting event. You don’t have to be a die-hard fan to enjoy the matches. Just learn a few key soccer terms before watching with friends, and you’ll be able to follow the flow of play with ease.

• Related reading: 2026 World Cup: These jersey and soccer shoe collections are winning over even women who aren’t soccer fans

1. How offside works

If a player scores only for the referee to suddenly blow the whistle and everyone around you to start sighing, it’s usually because of offside. Put simply, an attacking player is offside if, at the moment a teammate passes the ball, they are closer to the opposing goal line than the second-to-last opposing player, including the goalkeeper. It’s a very common occurrence in soccer.

2. Own goal / clean sheet

Even more heartbreaking is an own goal, when you accidentally kick the ball into your own net and the opposing team is awarded the goal. If a team defends perfectly throughout the match and doesn’t allow the opposition to score at all, that defensive performance is called a clean sheet, or shutout.

3. Parking the bus

Beyond individual skill, one of the most enjoyable parts of soccer is its tactical battle between attack and defense. If a team is slightly weaker, it may choose to “park the bus,” an extreme defensive tactic in which everyone drops back into the penalty area, almost abandoning attack altogether in hopes of avoiding defeat.

4. Scoring on a rebound (Cantonese: 執死雞)

This refers to another attacking player moving in to score on a rebound in front of goal after the goalkeeper saves the ball or it rebounds off the post. This type of goal, which tests a player’s instincts and luck, can quickly send the atmosphere in the stadium into a frenzy.

5. Skying a shot (Cantonese: 炒飛機)

If a player has an excellent scoring chance yet puts too much power into the shot, sending the ball high over the crossbar and into the distant stands, people will jokingly call it 炒飛機, or skying the shot. These painful major mistakes often become a lively topic of discussion among fans after the match.

6. Hospital pass

This describes a terrible pass from a teammate, with the power or direction badly off, or with completely mistimed delivery. By the time the receiving player goes to collect the ball, an opposing defender is already charging in to intercept. It forces the receiving teammate to risk a flying tackle or a heavy collision just to save the ball. Since it can easily result in a teammate being injured and sent to the hospital, it’s vividly called a “hospital pass.” Seeing this kind of pass on the field is enough to make even fans watching nervously hold their breath.

Women watching the World Cup don’t have to thoroughly study every rule. Whether you’re planning to meet friends for drinks after work on the weekend while watching a match, or stay home to enjoy the game, learning these terms first can help you take in the excitement and joy of sports with a more relaxed mindset.

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