The Historical Journey: When Soccer Was Made and Its Evolution

Soccer is a globally beloved sport that is enjoyed by millions today. Its origins, however, can be traced back to over two thousand years. It began in ancient civilizations in different parts of the world; the most known being in China, Greece, and Rome. In China, a game known as 'Cuju' was played which had similarities to modern-day football.

The sport was taken to a more standardized version in the mid-19th century in England. In 1863, the first soccer governing body, The Football Association (FA), was formed in England. They aimed to provide a standardized set of rules for all teams in the country. The FA formulated and established some of the key fundamental rules that make up soccer today, such as not using hands and 11 players on each team.

However, soccer’s professional era didn’t dawn until 1885, again in England. This period saw players being paid for the first time, marking the birth of professional soccer. At first, payment to soccer players was viewed as a means to reimburse them for time taken off work to play soccer. Later on, it was legitimized and players were signed by clubs and paid regular wages. This was largely introduced to prevent clubs from poaching players from their rivals.

On the international stage, soccer truly began to take shape with the formation of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in 1904. Originally comprising seven members: Belgium, France, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden, FIFA worked towards promoting soccer and adapting a universal set of rules.

With the establishment of FIFA, the first international match was played in 1906 between England and Germany. This marked the start of international competition in soccer. A few years later, the first FIFA World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930.

The evolution of soccer in the 20th and 21th centuries has seen significant developments with the inclusion of technology, changes in rule, and the prominence of leagues and competitions around the world. Soccer has improved significantly in terms of player's skill, strategy and athleticism.

During its early days, soccer players used to wear heavy boots and played with a ball made out of leather. The balls were very heavy and could cause injuries to players. In the early 20th century, the first blow-up soccer ball was invented. This greatly changed how the game was played and made it a lot safer.

Soccer, popularly known as 'the beautiful game', has undergone diverse and significant changes since its inception. Its journey, which begins in the ancient times and runs till date, is an intriguing and adventurous tale dominated by historical events, technological advancements, and evolving regulations.

Starting our journey in the past, the early form of soccer can be traced back to China’s Han dynasty around 206 BC, where a game called Tsu Chu was played, which required players to dribble a leather ball filled with feathers and hair. However, the game we all recognize as soccer had its most significant development in the mid-19th Century, when English schools and universities began assigning standard regulations and rules. These led to the formation of England's Football Association in 1863, which set the precedent for what would become modern soccer.

The first change in the players' uniforms became noticeable in the late 19th century. Soccer players previously donned long trousers and heavy boots. However, in 1888 with the establishment of England's Football League, uniforms became standardized across teams. Players began wearing knee-length shorts and cleated boots. The balls, which were initially inflated animal bladders, evolved into leather-covered balls in the 1800s, and further evolved into synthetic, waterproof balls in the 1980s.

In the 20th century, soccer witnessed considerable evolution, the most tangible of which was in the World Cup tournament. Inaugurated in 1930, the World Cup has since occurred every four years, except for interruptions by the Second World War. As the tournament grew in prestige and popularity, it indelibly shaped the sport, leading to significant institutional changes and an increased push for professionalism.

One technological advancement that affected the game of soccer significantly was the introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) in 2016. This technology utilizes video footage to assist referees in decision making, hence increasing the accuracy of critical game-changing decisions.

The game's rules have also undergone significant changes. For instance, in 1990, the offside rule was adjusted to enable players to be onside when level with the second last defender. This change was meant to encourage more attacking soccer. Subsequent changes meant that games could not be decided by a toss of a coin, and instead, draws resulted in overtime, penalty shootouts or, in league games, a shared point.

The progression of women’s soccer has also been substantive, particularly in the last five decades.