Records of people playing football date back 2,000 years ago to ancient China, Greece and Rome. Supposedly, people used to play with heads of their enemies as the ball. But England is credited with the first official rules and teams, even call it “football”. It was first a rugby association that split up and became a football association.
Facts About the Growth of Soccer
“During the 100 Years’ War between England and France from 1337 to 1453 the royal court was unfavorably disposed towards football. Kings Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V all made the game punishable by law because it prevented their subjects from practicing more useful military disciplines, particularly archery.”
https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/the-game/opposition-to-the-game.html
“On 8 December 1863, football and rugby finally split. Their separation became totally irreconcilable six years hence when a provision was included in the football rules forbidding any handling of the ball”
https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/the-game/global-growth.html
“The spread of football outside of Great Britain, mainly due to the British influence abroad, started slowly, but it soon gathered momentum and rapidly reached all parts of the world.”
https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/the-game/global-growth.html
The Beautiful Game 