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