Soccer, known as football outside the United States, captivates over 4 billion fans worldwide, making it the planet’s most popular sport. But how did this global phenomenon begin?
The origins of soccer are murky, with early forms of the game traced back to ancient China and Rome.
Modern soccer as we know it took shape in England over centuries, culminating in the mid-19th century when the Football Association (FA) codified the Laws of the Game in 1863. This pivotal moment standardized the rules and laid the foundation for the sport’s explosive growth.
While no single person invented soccer, Englishman Ebenezer Cobb Morley is often credited as its “Father” for his role in organizing and formalizing the game.