International Football Day: A Global Celebration of the Beautiful Game
Published: August 9, 2024, 4:08 PM
According to a recent UN declaration, December 10th is officially recognized as International Football Day. This prestigious title celebrates the immense popularity and cultural significance of soccer worldwide. More than just a game, football embodies national identity, serves as a source of entertainment, and generates billions of dollars in revenue annually.
The origins of football date back millennia. Early references to the game can be traced back to China in the second millennium BC, where soldiers maintained physical fitness through this physical activity. The ancient Greeks and Romans also engaged in a form of football around 2,500 years ago.
In the 8th century, the Saxons in England played a wild and violent version of the game, often kicking the severed heads of their enemies after battle. This tradition eventually evolved into the modern game we know today.
The English Football Association was formed in 1863, establishing the official rules of the game, which banned handball. The first international football match took place between England and Scotland in 1872, and the goal net was first utilized in 1891 during an England North vs. South match.