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Nobody knows for sure where or when soccer started officially. There have been many claims that it came from the Greeks, Romans, Japanese, and Chinese, but no one knows for sure.

In Japan , there has been evidence of a ball-kicking game earlier than 206 B.C. There were signs of a lined field, which was used to play some sort of game. The game used a ball and appeared to be popular. Historians have discovered that around, 250 B.C. Han military members played some sort of skill building game. This game involved kicking a ball into a net. It was originally used for military training, but later became less of a drill and more of a game. The ancient Celtics and Vikings appeared to have played a game resembling soccer. However, the game that they played was not so much a game, but more a mob scene.

 The game that most closely resembles soccer today was played by the Greeks and Romans. For them it was called Harpastum. It was also used mainly for war purposes. However, when the Romans expanded their empire across the world, they spread Harpastum as well. They brought the game to the British Isles ; however, there is record of a previous ball game being played there before Harpastum that more closely resembled soccer.

 However, the games played by the ancient civilizations did not resemble soccer as much as the games that were played in the mid-1550. This was when rugby and association football (now known as soccer) was first played by large populations. In the streets, apprentices and farm boys played rough, violent versions of rugby and associated football. However, it was not supported by all. High-class political leaders and wealthy people believed that the games were too savage and violent to be allowed. Eventually, a law was passed forbidding associated football and rugby to be played. Priests also claimed that God did not approve of the game.

However, the soccer played at this time, was nothing close to what we know of now. The fields could be as long as towns and the amount of players could be anywhere from 15-500. It was a violent game that had almost no rules. Many windows, legs, and other items were broken in the process.    

 Much to the surprise of the politicians, people did not stop playing. Most people felt that the law could not restrain them from doing something that they loved. Even God could not hold most people back from playing the forbidden sports.

Later, in the 1600’s, teams began to form all round. Universities such as Cambridge and Oxford founded their own teams and they participated in leagues. A man who loved associated football went to America one day, and brought the sport to North America as well. Years later, the first organized football game was held in North America , hosted by one of the pioneers of collegiate football.

Soon, Associated Football began to adapt a set of rules. This made the game much safer. It enabled people of the middle class to play in it. People began to accept that the game could not be wild and savage. Rules were created that required goals and goalposts as well as a basic length and width for the field. After this change, people of all races began to play soccer. This allowed soccer to grow rapidly and eventually it had its own basic rules.

In 1963 the London Football Association issued a basic set of rules. Wealthy British subjects created the association to spread the game throughout the country. After the start of the association, universities and school began to play soccer too. In 1872, the first official international match was held between Scotland and England . After that, in 1888, the first full-time league was created.

After 1872, an international cup was officially started by the Football Association. The FA Cup saved the sport from ignominy. Newer, more inexpensive equipment was promoted such as smooth, round, light balls. This allowed people other than wealthy gentleman to play the game. At this time, soccer evolved into the game that we know of today.

The world’s first soccer league was created in 1888. A religious chairman of a club in England , he saved the sport from possibly being forgotten. Soccer began to be played in schools all over England . Public schools and universities began to play in organized leagues. The organized leagues set the foundation for many more soccer innovations to come.

In 1904, the international organization was formed to promote and play soccer all over the world. FIFA, as it was called, organized matches between teams from different nations. Finally, in 1908, soccer was accepted as a permanent Olympic sport. This brought so much attention that by the 1930’s soccer became popular enough throughout the world to successfully organize a world cup.

Though popular throughout the rest of the world, the United States did not play much soccer until 1959, when the NCAA declared soccer an official college sport. This gave the game a national championship as well as official games.

Soccer continued to grow in America until in 1967; the North American Soccer League was created. This helped soccer to grow. However, soccer received its biggest boost in history when Pele joined the New York Cosmos. This team instantly became amazing and Pele continued to flourish. Over time, Pele led his country, Brazil , to three international championships. He is often known as the greatest soccer player in history.

In 2000, FIFA officially began the FIFA World Cup Championships. This tournament included teams from all over the globe, including teams from all the continents (with the exception of Antarctica ). It was held in Brazil , one of the world’s most soccer loving places. The final was held between tow Brazilian teams. This helped prove to the world that soccer is not dominated by the English alone.

The first women’s soccer championship came in 1991. This was played in China and was eventually won by the USA team. This gave China their first look at soccer, and they loved it. Eight years later, the championship was held in the United States . The opening game shattered a record for most fans viewing a female sporting event in history. This record was shattered only three weeks later, when over 90,000 people watch the final game with the US against China . This game broke the record by over 12,000 people which was set earlier in the tournament.