| The history of soccer can be traced back | | | | The sport blossomed throughout England |
| to almost every country of origin. The | | | | and held its first championship after |
| game was so accessible that men of every | | | | just eight years. As expected the sport |
| status could afford to play. It's easy | | | | traveled throughout Europe and |
| to imagine that games of kicking a ball | | | | international competitions between |
| or something that resembles a ball have | | | | England and Scotland formed. The sport |
| been around for thousands of years. The | | | | brought in spectators and produced |
| ancient Romans and Chinese are credited | | | | athletic stars which pushed the |
| with the very first signs of soccer. | | | | organizations to formalize their |
| China used to play games similar to | | | | practices. New associations began to |
| football as far back as three thousand | | | | pop up throughout Scotland, Ireland and |
| years ago and the Romans used to keep | | | | Germany. |
| there warriors fit with football. A | | | | The largest of all international |
| number of other countries laid claim to | | | | associations was formed in 1912, |
| the sport as well including Japan, | | | | Federation Internationale de Football |
| England, Italy and South and Central | | | | Association, FIFA. Fifa held the now |
| America. | | | | famous World Cup in 1930 and has grown |
| Credit with the formal development of | | | | to over 200 members throughout the |
| soccer history is rightfully given to | | | | entire world. Now there are tons of |
| England. They were the first to start | | | | amateur, semi professional and |
| incorporating rules and form | | | | professional leagues all over the world. |
| associations or leagues. Around 1863 | | | | Whether it's young kids, professional |
| they began to separate soccer from rugby | | | | athletes or weekend warriors soccer can |
| and formed the first Football | | | | be found anywhere in the world |
| Association. Teams from around the | | | | Soccer history has evolved to today's |
| London area came together and began to | | | | standard where it is played at the |
| formulate the basic rules that were | | | | amateur and professional level all over |
| agreeable by everyone. These included | | | | the world. It is recognized as the most |
| the size of the field, number of players | | | | played and watched sport in the world. |
| and rules regarding contact. Ironically | | | | The basic rules and limited amount of |
| it wasn't until six years later that the | | | | equipment make soccer an easy sport to |
| hand ball or no carrying of the ball was | | | | participate in for all. |
| included. | | | | |