Soccer, or football as it is called in Britain, is game loved by people of all ages, genders and geography in the world. Many children aged 5 to 19 play youth soccer in leagues in the United States. Did you know that soccer was played first in England in 1800's? It was initially a game of the aristocrat classes in England where it was played in boarding schools and in private clubs. However the sport became widely popular, largely because of the ease it is played with and the fact that it is inexpensive. Today soccer is the number one sport for regular people, and not just aristocrats (who have taken on some new sports).
The history of soccer began in England where the London Football Association which was founded in 1863 and was responsible for the standardizing rules and regulations of the soccer game. Over the next twenty years soccer started to be played as professional game with professional players, teams and clubs.
The history of soccer began in England where the London Football Association which was founded in 1863 and was responsible for the standardizing rules and regulations of the soccer game. Over the next twenty years soccer started to be played as professional game with professional players, teams and clubs.
Soccer spread through Europe almost immediately with Spain, Italy, France and Germany all taking up the sport. The interest in soccer grew around the world as did the competition as it become formal. In the year 1900 it was the first time that soccer was played in the Olympics. Eight years later, medals were introduced too!
Interesting to know is that in the Olympics, professional players were exempted to play for more than eighty years. FIFA, the Federation International De Football Association, was formed to hold the first world cup of football as an international event in the year 1930. In this, teams from each country are pitted against one another after every four years. It is an international affair, with 200 teams seeking to compete but only 24 teams allowed to compete for the tournament. In 1991, the women’s world cup competition started.
Soccer is the most watched form of sport whether at a stadium, in clubs along with their friends and family or on television where satellites distribute it around the globe.
Interesting to know is that in the Olympics, professional players were exempted to play for more than eighty years. FIFA, the Federation International De Football Association, was formed to hold the first world cup of football as an international event in the year 1930. In this, teams from each country are pitted against one another after every four years. It is an international affair, with 200 teams seeking to compete but only 24 teams allowed to compete for the tournament. In 1991, the women’s world cup competition started.
Soccer is the most watched form of sport whether at a stadium, in clubs along with their friends and family or on television where satellites distribute it around the globe.
