The History of Football: From Ancient Ball Games to the World’s Favorite Sport
Explore the complete history of football, from ancient origins like Cuju to the rise of FIFA and the modern World Cup. Learn how football became the world’s most popular sport. Introduction Football, also called soccer in some countries, is the most popular sport in the world today. With more than 4 billion fans , it is not just a game but a culture that unites nations. To understand why football is loved worldwide, we must look back at the history of football , which began thousands of years ago and evolved into the organized sport we watch today. Ancient Origins of Football The origin of football can be traced back over 2,000 years . Early forms of the game were played in different civilizations: China: During the Han Dynasty, a game called Cuju was played, which involved kicking a leather ball through a net. This is recognized as the earliest form of football . Ancient Chinese painting showing people playing Cuju, the earliest form of football. Greece and ...