Tracing the Origins: A Comprehensive Look into the Beginnings of Soccer Worldwide

Soccer or Association Football, as it is officially known, is an intrinsic part of life for millions of people around the world. To understand how this game achieved its global stature, we need to delve into its rich historical roots.

Originating in England in the 19th century, soccer holds a unique place in the history of sports. Its origins trace back centuries to games played in multiple cultures and countries. From the Chinese game of 'cuju' to the Roman 'harpastum', and the Native American game of 'pasuckuakohowog', these early forms of soccer show how a ball and a desire to compete are universally human attributes.

The modern game we now know as soccer emerged after the formation of the Football Association (FA) in England in 1863. The ‘Laws of the Game’ were established, which intended to base the game entirely on skill rather than physical contact. This revolutionized 'football' from a mildly-informed and often violent game into a universally accepted sport of skill, strategy, and fitness.

Soccer's spread across the globe is largely accredited to Britain's influence through its Empire and industrial prowess. British merchants, sailors, and soldiers introduced the beautiful game to different parts of the world. It arrived in South America in the late 19th century, brought by British railway workers in Argentina, and from there spread throughout the continent, becoming ingrained in local cultures.

The creation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in 1904 was another landmark moment in soccer’s spread. FIFA's organization of the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 crystallized soccer’s global appeal.

Up until this point, soccer was largely a male-dominated sport. However, the 20th century witnessed an increased popularity of women’s soccer. Despite facing a ban in England (which lasted until 1971), women’s soccer saw a stark rise after World War I. The First Women’s World Cup was held in 1991, a huge leap forward for the game's inclusivity.

The globalization of media has also played a significant role in spreading soccer’s popularity throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. International broadcasts of games and tournaments have made the sport accessible to a wider audience than ever before.

The ancient roots of soccer can be traced back to the second and third centuries BC in China. During this era, the Chinese military developed a game called 'Tsu Chu,' which roughly translates to 'kicking ball.' It involved players trying to kick a leather ball filled with hair and feathers through a small opening, measured around 9-12 inches in diameter, and positioned at the top of a silk-cloth net that was stretched between bamboo poles. The key rule was that no player was allowed to use their hands. It’s not hard to see parallels between Tsu Chu and the contemporary game of soccer.

Still following the thread of history towards the roots of soccer, let us journey to Japan. Here, in 50 BC, a sport known as Kemari was established. It was a game played by nobles and aristocrats and was less competitive than Tsu Chu. The players stood in a circle and tried to keep a ball air-borne by kicking it back and forth to each other, thus emphasizing collaboration rather than competition.

Migration over to ancient Greece, around 400-375 BC, we find the game Episkyros, which later got passed on to the Roman Empire, where it took the name Harpastum. In Episkyros, teams would try to throw a ball over their opponents' heads using their feet, although they could use their hands too, distinguishing it from the soccer we know today. Despite the difference, sources agreed it contributed significantly to the formation of soccer and rugby.

Fast-forwarding a little, the Romans took Harpastum to Britain when they invaded. As years passed, the game evolved and split into two sister sports: football and rugby. This journey and evolution make the game an integral part of ancient British culture as well. Medieval football, as it was known, was typically a competition between neighboring towns and villages involving an unlimited number of players on opposing teams, who would clash in a heaving mass of people struggling to drag inflated pig’s bladder by any means possible to markers at each end of a town.

Not all iterations were so chaotic. In Italy around the 16th century, there was a game called Calcio, played in teams of 27 using both feet and hands to maneuver the ball. It was a mix of wrestling and soccer and allowed punching, elbowing, and biting.