Soccer History

obody 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. 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.It has spread from early civilizations to the Greeks and Romans. From there, it was adapted by the English and Irish. By the present day, it has evolved into a worldwide event, with its own league, organization, and media attention. The game of soccer will continue to grow in the near future, and will step out of the shadow, and into the spotlight.