Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and a multi-billion-dollar industry. If you’re a fan of the game yourself, you likely get a lot of joy out of both watching and playing this much-loved pastime.
However, that doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about the game. There are many facts about soccer that even avid players of the sport are not aware of.
What might you not know about playing soccer or the history of the sport? Read on, and we’ll walk you through some potential surprising soccer facts.
1. Soccer is Thousands of Years Old
Just how long have people been playing soccer? Likely longer than you may have realized. While they may have played with some small changes, the earliest forms of what we know as soccer actually originated in Ancient China, thousands and thousands of years ago.
At this time, the game was called cuju and was played with two teams of twelve players. The rules were essentially that of soccer, with one major difference.
Instead of two separate goals, one goal was positioned in the center of the field. Each team would have to kick the ball through their side of the goal to score a point.
2. Uruguay Was The Original World Cup Winner
If you’re a soccer fan, you likely tune into the World Cup and root for some of the best players in the world. However, do you know who the original world cup winner was?
The very first World Cup was hosted in 1930 and took place in Uruguay. The hosts ended up becoming the victors, winning in the final match over Argentina in front of a massive crowd of 90,000 screaming fans.
This huge win would help ensure an enduring audience for the World Cup for many years to come. Today, fans still cheer on Uruguay, but often with more merch and customized scarves.
3. King Edward III Banned Soccer
Soccer might not seem like a very controversial sport, but it was actually banned once upon a time by the English king, Edward III. He banned soccer in 1349, fearing that it was keeping men away from the pastime of archery.
Having an army of good archers was essential for the defense of the country at this point in time, and thus soccer was banned to encourage men across the country to turn to this other sport instead.
You’d have to think a ban like that wouldn’t go over all too well today!
Surprising Facts About Soccer
While you might enjoy the many benefits of soccer, that doesn’t mean you know all about the history of the sport. The above facts about soccer might open your eyes to some of the amazing things about this incredible sport.
Curious to learn more about sports and athletics? Keep scrolling our blog for more information, tips, and tricks.
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