Soccer is a ubiquitous sport played by elementary school kids in U.S. suburbs, teenagers on city lots in South America and professionals in stadiums throughout the world. On the soccer field, members of two teams attempt to score goals by maneuvering the ball with any part of their bodies except their hands. Soccer is known as football in most areas of the world.
When Did Soccer Start?
Forms of soccer began in ancient times, according to the Federation Internationale de Football Association, which governs the sport today. About 2,000 years ago, the Chinese were playing a kickball game that forbade players to touch the ball with their hands. Early Japanese, Greek and Roman societies had similar games. Modern soccer began in medieval England and grew into a popular pastime for British schoolboys in the 19th century. In 1863, the English Football Association formed, and standardized soccer rules ensued.
What Is the World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup is an international competition that determines soccer's world champions. During the regular season, soccer stars often play for teams in other countries, but they play for their home nation during the World Cup. The competition has taken place every four years since 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II.
Who Are Some Famous Players?
Some soccer players are renowned for their skill and others for their panache and appearance. Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- better known as Pele -- is one of the former. According to ExpertFootball.com, the Brazilian led his country to three World Cup victories and scored a phenomenal 1,282 goals during his career. Another skillful player, Diego Maradona, scored spectacular goals to lead Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986. British player David Beckham is a star in the panache category. He's a talented player, but he's mostly famous for his lifestyle and personal style.
What Are Some Famous Controversies?
Like every sport, soccer has had its share of controversy over the years. In 1978, the Netherlands faced Argentina for the World Cup championship. The competition took place in Argentina, and before the final game, two events shook the Dutch team's confidence and may have led to its defeat. The Dutch bus took a mysterious detour on the way to the match, and the team spent 10 minutes on the field in front of a hostile audience before the Argentinians appeared. In 1986, Maradona used his hand to score a World Cup goal against England, but a novice referee ruled it legal.
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