How has Soccer Shaped, Impacted, and Connected the World? Football, soccer, footy, futbol, whatever you want to call it, is known for its uncanny ability to unite people from all reaches of the globe. Economically, socially, and culturally, soccer has given to our own societies and foreign ones. Many may see it as “just a sport”, but it continues to unite us with competition. The passion invoked by the game can be found nowhere else. For hundreds of years, the game of soccer has shaped societies, cultures, politics, and more worldwide, acting as a force that has connected diverse communities and continues to influence cultural identities. “The World’s Game” is given to us every day in ways we don’t notice. Soccer has been played around the …show more content…
From Ancient Greece, to China, to Australia, soccer has been played everywhere forever, but it’s in England where it really gets its start. Originally, the game was simply played among townsfolk in the streets and in meadows, where they used feet and hands to punch or kick the ball. These games usually got violent, so by the 1840s, uniform rules started to be set in place. By the 1870s, most teams in the UK were put into a league and competition had begun. By the 1880s, soccer was officially a professional sport. “And finally, in 1885 professional football was legalized and three years later the Football League was established. During the first season, 12 clubs joined the league, but soon more clubs became interested, and the competition would consequently expand into more divisions” (Football History). By the 20th century, soccer had spread through Europe, and an international organization was needed to keep things in order. In 1904, the International Football Federation Association was created (FIFA), and the rest fell into place. Since the creation of FIFA, 211 nations have entered the federation, and continue to operate under its umbrella. How did this game of