Today, football is called the most popular game on the planet. But the road to becoming the world’s No.1 sport has been a long and eventful one. What started out as folk fun has gradually evolved into a strict system with uniform rules, professional clubs and huge tournaments. From the English in the 19th century to World Cup finals with billions of spectators. Together with soccernsweettea.com we tell you how the world’s most popular sport originated and developed.
English Roots and the Birth of the Rules
Although ball games existed long before England (in China, ancient Greece and the Mayans), it was Great Britain that laid the foundation for modern football. In the Middle Ages, people all over England played ball games without clear rules: kicking, throwing, sometimes even fighting. There were no field boundaries and the number of players was not limited. Because of the chaos and injuries, such games were often banned, for example by King Edward II in the fourteenth century.
The turning point was the 1840s and 1850s. Cambridge and then Sheffield began to form the first sets of rules (“Cambridge Rules” and “Sheffield Rules”). In 1863, the Football Association (FA) was formed in London, and a meeting approved 13 key points that began the beginning of uniform standards.
Cups, Leagues and International Matches
Immediately after standardisation, the institutionalisation of football began. In 1871, the world’s first national tournament, the FA Cup, came into being. Its initiator was Charles Alcock. And although at first only 15 clubs participated, the interest of the public grew every year.
In 1888, the first football league was created – Football League. It united 12 English clubs and laid the foundation for regular competitions. At the same time, the first international match took place – between England and Scotland. It took place in 1872 and ended in a 0-0 draw. This event paved the way for national teams, which became a symbol of sporting pride.
The Creation of FIFA and the World Championships
International growth required coordination. In 1904, FIFA, the International Football Federation, was founded in Paris. Initially it included France, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. Already in 1930 the first World Cup was held under the auspices of FIFA – in Uruguay. It became a landmark event: 13 teams, great public attention and the victory of the tournament hosts.
Since then, mundials have become not just a sporting but a cultural phenomenon. Each tournament attracts billions of spectators, and participation in it is considered the pinnacle for any player.
The Spread of Football Outside Europe
One of the key factors in the globalisation of football was the British Empire. Through maritime trade routes, colonies, army garrisons and schools, the game spread to India, South Africa, Australia and South America. In Brazil, football began to gain popularity after it was brought there by Charles Miller, a Brazilian-born Briton. He not only brought the first ball, but also began teaching the game to the locals.
Football proved to be universal: it did not require expensive equipment, united people and awakened excitement. This made it an ideal sport for mass distribution.
Women’s Football: The Way Through the Taboos
Women’s football also has a rich but complicated history. At the beginning of the 20th century in England, women’s teams packed stadiums of thousands. However, in 1921, the Football Association banned women’s matches on its pitches, deeming football “unsuitable for women”. This ban remained in place for almost 50 years.
The situation began to change in the 1970s. Gradually, women’s national teams began to participate in international tournaments, and in 1991 FIFA held the first Women’s World Cup. Today, women’s football is actively developing: top clubs are opening women’s sections, and broadcasts of matches attract an audience of many millions.
Modernity: Numbers, Money and Passions
By the 21st century, football has become not just a sport, but a huge industry. The English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and other top championships attract millions of fans and billions of dollars. The value of broadcast rights, player contracts and sponsorship deals have all turned football into one of the most lucrative segments of global showbiz.
According to FIFA, more than 250 million people around the world play football professionally and amateur. World Cup finals are watched by more than 3 billion people. The game has become a universal language: understood in Brazil and Japan, Senegal and Iceland, India and Canada.
The Popularity of Football in India
Although cricket is still the number one sport in India, football is slowly but surely gaining popularity. This process cannot be called instantaneous, but over the past 10-15 years, the dynamics can be seen with the naked eye. This is especially evident in cities with a historically strong football influence, such as Kolkata, Cochin and Goa.
A key moment was the creation of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014. The aim of the project was not just to develop football at a professional level, but to turn it into a mass spectacle. At the start of the ISL, foreign stars like Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires and Luis Garcia were invited, along with famous coaches from Europe.
But it was not limited to big names. The country began to develop its infrastructure: stadiums were built, training facilities were modernised, and youth academies were created. In cooperation with international organisations, programmes were launched for schoolchildren and teenagers aimed at identifying and developing young talents. For example, the academies of FC Goa or Kerala Blasters clubs work according to European standards, employing specialists from Spain and England.
