When did soccer first start? This question has intrigued football enthusiasts and historians alike for centuries. The origins of soccer, also known as football, can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but the modern game as we know it today has its roots in medieval England.
The first recorded evidence of a game resembling soccer dates back to ancient China, around 1000 BC. The game was called cuju and was played with a ball made of leather stuffed with hair. While this early form of soccer was more of a kicking game than the dribbling and passing game we see today, it laid the foundation for the sport’s development.
In ancient Greece, a similar game called herakleides was played, and it involved kicking a ball through a goal. The Roman Empire also had a game called harpastum, which was played with a ball and involved a combination of kicking, passing, and tackling.
However, the modern game of soccer began to take shape in medieval England. The first documented reference to a game similar to soccer in England comes from the year 1161. The game was known as “folk football” and was played by villagers on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent. This game was characterized by its rough and violent nature, with players often getting injured during play.
The game of soccer continued to evolve throughout the medieval period, with different regions developing their own rules and variations. In the 16th century, the first written rules for the game were established in England. These rules were known as the “Cambridge Rules” and were created by students at the University of Cambridge.
In the early 19th century, the modern game of soccer began to take form. The first soccer club, Sheffield FC, was founded in Sheffield, England, in 1857. This club is often considered the world’s oldest football club. The first official international match took place between England and Scotland in 1872.
Since then, soccer has grown to become the most popular sport in the world. The sport has seen numerous innovations, including the introduction of the FIFA World Cup in 1930, which has become the most prestigious tournament in the sport. The question of when soccer first started may never be fully answered, but it is clear that the game has a rich and fascinating history that has shaped the world we live in today.
