Players that want to play football in the NFL have to take an IQ test[1] and score decently well. Using a rough conversion[2], NFL teams require a minimum IQ in the low 90s to play, because players below that threshold are incapable of learning the plays[3]. So even for persons who want to play competitive football, a certain level of intelligence is extremely important.

I don't know much about soccer beyond pickup games, is it roughly as cognitively demanding as football at the highest levels?

[1] https://jobdescriptionandresumeexamples.com/10-important-fac...

[2] https://wonderlictestpractice.com/how-does-the-wonderlic-cor...

[3] https://clutchpoints.com/patriots-news-new-england-requires-...