The History of Soccer ⚽

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with more than 250 million players and billions of fans. But how did it originate and evolve into the game we know and love today? Here is a brief overview of the history of soccer, from its ancient roots to its modern form.

Ancient Origins

Some of the earliest forms of ball games can be traced back to ancient China, Greece and Rome, where people used rocks or animal hides stuffed with hair as balls. These games involved kicking, throwing or hitting the ball with different parts of the body, but they had few rules and were often violent and ritualistic. For example, in ancient Mesoamerica, a ball game called tlachtli was played by the Aztecs, Maya and other cultures. The ball was made of rubber and symbolized the sun, and the losing team's captain was sometimes sacrificed to the gods.

Medieval Times

The game that most resembles modern soccer emerged in England in the 12th century. It was played on meadows and roads by large groups of people from different villages or towns. The goal was to move the ball, which could be made of leather, wood or animal bladder, to a designated area or landmark. The game was very rough and chaotic, as players could use any part of their body except their hands and arms, and there were no clear boundaries or rules. The game was often banned by authorities who considered it a nuisance and a threat to public order.

Modern Soccer

The transformation of soccer into a regulated and organized sport began in the 19th century, when schools and clubs in England started to codify and standardize the rules. In 1863, the Football Association was founded in London as the first governing body of soccer. It established the basic rules of the game, such as the size and shape of the ball, the number and position of players, the duration of the match, and the prohibition of handling the ball. The first official soccer match was played on November 30, 1863, between Barnes and Richmond.

The popularity of soccer spread rapidly across the world, especially in Europe and South America. The first international match was played in 1872 between England and Scotland. The first World Cup, the most prestigious tournament in soccer, was held in 1930 in Uruguay, with 13 teams participating. The World Cup is now held every four years, with 32 teams competing for the trophy. The current champion is France, who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.