Played weekly by over 240 million people around the world

More than 240 million people around the world play football regularly according to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The game has evolved from the sport of kicking a rudimentary animal-hide ball around into the World Cup sport it is today.

MM

Football is nowadays one of the most popular sports in Europe and the Americas. It is believed to have originated in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. It was also popular with the Romans and the Greeks.

MM

The Ancient Greeks and Romans are known to have played many ball games, some of which involved the use of the feet. The Roman game Harpastum is believed to have been adapted from a Greek team game known as Episkyros or Phaininda, which is mentioned by a Greek playwright, Antiphanes and later referred to by the Christian theologian Clement of Alexandria. These games appear to have resembled rugby football. The Roman politician Cicero describes the case of a man who was killed whilst having a shave when a ball was kicked into a barber's shop. Roman ball games already used an air filled ball.  Episkyros is recognised as an early form of football by FIFA.

MM

A Chinese game called Tsu' Chu, Cuju or Zuqiu has been recognised by FIFA as the first version of the game with regular rules. It existed during the Han Dynasty, the second and third centuries BC. The Japanese version of Cuju is Kemari, and was developed during the Asuka period. This is known to have been played within the Japanese imperial court in Kyoto from about 600 AD. In Kemari several people stand in a circle and kick a ball to each other, trying not to let the ball drop to the ground (much like keepie uppie). The game appears to have died out sometime before the mid 19th century. It was revived in 1903 and is now played at a number of festivals.

MM

Modern football originated in England. Some amusing facts even mention that the first ball used was the head of a Danish Brigand! It is said that during medieval times, the old form of football used to allow many bad practices like kicking, punching, biting and gouging. The main aim was to carry the ball to a target spot. There were frequent incidents of violence during the games. King Edward III banned football in 1365 owing to the growing incidents of violence and military indulgence in the sport. In 1424 King James I of Scotland also proclaimed in the Parliament— "Na man play at the Fute-ball" (No man shall play football).

MM

In 1815, football became popular in Universities, Colleges and Schools after Eton College came up with a set of rules, which were to become known as the Cambridge Rules.

MM

In October 1863, eleven representatives from London clubs and schools met at the Freemasons Tavern to set up common fundamental rules. The outcome of this meeting was the formation of the Football Association – also known as the FA. In December 1863, the Rugby Football School and Association Football finally split as the supporters of the Rugby School rules walked out of the meeting.

MM

Firmly establishing the foundation of football in 1869, the Football Association strictly banned any kind of handling of the ball. Football’s popularity spread rapidly during the 1800s as British Sailors, Traders and Soldiers introduced the sport to different parts of the globe.

MM

Austrians and Germans took the sport to Europe, and Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil adopted the sport in South America. FIFA was established in 1904 and by early 1930s, different leagues were operating from various countries. FIFA is credited with organizing the first World Cup in Uruguay.

Children playing football in China

Football in France around 1750

The Royal Engineers who reached the first FA Cup final in 1872

Source: Wikipedia

Images: Believed to be in the Public Domain or used with permission

Photo: Su Hanchen/Wikimedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)

Photo: Anonymous/Wikipedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)

Photo: Anonymous/Wikipedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)