This is the 401st most frequent Danish word.
fodbold
Football (soccer).
Here, 'fodbold' refers to the sport itself that the subject participates in.
Jeg spiller fodbold hver weekend.
I play soccer every weekend.
In this usage, 'fodbolden' refers to the ball used in the game of soccer, as denoted by the definite article.
Kan du se fodbolden på banen?
Can you see the soccer ball on the field?
Here, 'fodbold' describes the sport in a general sense.