Final answer:
Without friction, the game of soccer would be unrecognizable. A soccer ball, akin to a puck on a nearly frictionless air hockey table, would continue moving indefinitely after being kicked, making control and play of the game impossible. Players would also be unable to perform basic movements due to the lack of grip between their shoes and the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
If friction did not exist, the game of soccer would be profoundly affected. For one, players kicking the soccer ball would witness it gliding indefinitely, in a similar manner to a puck on an air hockey table with the air turned on, which creates a nearly frictionless surface. The ball would only stop if it encounters another force, such as colliding with an object or player.
Friction is an external force that naturally slows down the movement of the ball on current soccer fields, allowing players to control it and predict its movement. Without friction, players would be unable to stop the ball with their feet, and the ball would not slow down after being kicked or when rolling across the field. This would make the strategic part of the game that involves dribbling, passing, and shooting much more challenging if not impossible.
Additionally, players would struggle with their own movement, finding it difficult to start, stop, and change direction, which are all actions heavily reliant on friction between their shoes and the ground. Essentially, soccer as we know it could not be played in the same way if friction were completely eliminated.