In the summer of 2010, around 700 million people tuned in to watch the final game of the World Cup, football's largest international tournament. The most watched sport in the world has a history dating back to the second and third centuries B.C., and has enjoyed a rich timeline of charismatic players, dream teams and awe-inspiring moments on the pitch.
Origins
The earliest scientific evidence for the game of football came from the Han Dynasty in China during the second and third centuries B.C., reports the International Federation of Football Association, or FIFA. While playing the Chinese game, called "Tsu' Chu," players kicked a leather ball into a small net attached to bamboo poles. About 500 years later, the Japanese began playing a similar game called "Kemari," where players stood in a circle and juggled the ball with each other with the aim of keeping it off the ground.
Modern Football
In 1863, the Football Association of England was born, marking the birth of football in its modern form. Just after the turn of the century in 1904, FIFA was established as the international governing body for the sport. Football was added as a men's Olympic sport in 1900, and FIFA began hosting the World Cup tournament in 1930. Women's soccer was added to the Olympics in 1996, and the first female World Cup took place in 1991.
Greatest Player
One of the most well known players in the sport of football played for Brazil from 1957 to 1971, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, was nicknamed "the king" due to his countless achievements in the game. During his career, Pele would play 1,363 games, win a record three World Cup championships and score 1,281 goals.
Most Successful Teams
In the history of international soccer, three teams have reigned supreme. The Brazilian squad has made 19 World Cup appearances with 67 game wins and five World Cup championships. Germany and Italy, coming in second and third respectively, have played in 17 World Cups each, with Germany picking up 60 game wins and three Championships, and Italy snagging 44 game wins and four championships.
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