In 1863, the Football Association (FA) was founded in London. This was a key moment, as it introduced the first official rules of the game, separating football from rugby. The FA helped unify various versions of the sport that were played across the country.

Football quickly spread throughout Europe and South America. By the early 20th century, it became a global sport. In 1904, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) was formed to govern international competition. The first FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 and was won by the host nation.

Over the decades, football has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with professional leagues, legendary players, and billions of fans. Today, it is more than just a sport—it is a global culture, bringing people together through passion, skill, and competition.

Football, known as soccer in the United States, has experienced a long and unique journey of growth. While the sport has been played in the country since the late 19th century, it remained less popular than American football, baseball, and basketball for much of the 20th century.

In 1913, the United States Soccer Federation was founded, and the national team began participating in international competitions, including the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. However, interest in the sport remained limited for decades.

A turning point came in the 1970s with the formation of the North American Soccer League (NASL), which brought international stars like Pelé to American audiences. Although the NASL eventually folded, it helped raise awareness of the sport.