Football has always been considered the king of sports thanks to billions of passionate fans and admirers around the world. Compared to other sports, the number of football fans is much larger. It is a sport with numerous investments and the most significant capital. The game of football can be enjoyed from childhood to the most respectable age. Thanks to the decision of the UN, every year on December 10, professional athletes, amateurs and fans celebrate World Football Day. This event is designed to honor a sport that has been able to become almost a way of life and a special philosophy for a huge number of people.
How did the idea of celebrating World Football Day come about?
Football has a very old and interesting history. Back in the III-II centuries BC in China, there was a game with a leather ball stuffed with feathers or animal fur. The goal of the game was to hit a net fixed on bamboo poles, and also to defend against enemy attacks. Similar versions of ball games are also known among the ancient Greeks and Egyptians.
England. National game. First rules
But the homeland of football is still considered to be England. There is documentary evidence from as early as 1170, which describes young people gathering on the field to play with a ball.
This game became so popular that it even became a problem for King Edward II. In the 1300s, the country had to prepare for war with Scotland, and instead of practicing archery, the warriors played football. The king had to issue a decree banning the game for some time.
Over time, football continued to spread, especially among members of the working class. The game became for them a way of relaxation and an opportunity to communicate. But sports matches did not always take place in a civilized manner – due to rather vague rules and the absence of referees, fights often broke out on the field. The number of players also changed, sometimes there were up to a thousand people on the field at the same time. So it is not surprising that the situation was getting out of control.
In the 18th century, football went beyond belonging to the working environment and became extremely popular in educational institutions. In 1848, certain rules of the game were established at Cambridge University. Some of them are valid even now. And already in 1863, the first Football Association was created in England.
It is believed that the English played a leading role in the spread of football in its modern form outside their country. The first football match outside Europe took place in Argentina in 1867 under the leadership of several Britons working abroad at the time.
Women’s football
Although football was considered a man’s sport, from the end of the 19th century women began to admire it as well. During the First World War, when men were at the front, women formed football teams and played international matches.
After the war, the Football Association deemed women’s football inappropriate. The ban was lifted only in 1971, and since then it has continued to develop. Many of the major football clubs have women’s teams that compete domestically and internationally.
The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) was founded in 1904. Its first members were France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden. England joined the organization only a year later.
In 1908, football was first included in the Olympic Games as an official sport. Before the first World Cup was held in 1930, the football tournament of the Olympic Games was considered the most prestigious competition.
Since 1930, the World Cup has been held every four years, excluding the period of World War II. The most prestigious annual international tournament for European football clubs is the Champions League (held since 1992). This tournament was founded by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Football stars of the last century
The 60s of the last century opened real superstars in football: Pele, Eusebio, Puskas and others. The 1970s contributed to the development of football thanks to the advent of color television.
The period of the 70s and 80s was very successful for Ukrainian football – the Dynamo Kyiv football club under the leadership of coach Valery Lobanovskyi won many prestigious awards, and such players as Oleg Blokhin, Leonid Buryak, Oleksandr Zavarov, Anatoliy Demyanenko were real national players. favorites
The 80s saw the birth of great players such as Diego Maradona and Michel Platini, and it was also a stellar time for Liverpool club team. The late 80s and early 90s went down in history as the best times for the Italian Milan.
World Football Day in history
III – II centuries B.C.
In China, there was a game with a leather ball stuffed with feathers or animal hair.
1170
England. There is documentary evidence from as early as 1170, which describes young people gathering on the field to play with a ball.
1848
At the University of Cambridge, certain rules of the game were established.
1863
The first Football Association was created in England.
1904
The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) was founded.
1908
Football was included in the Olympic Games as an official sport.
1930
Since 1930, the World Cup has been held every four years, excluding the period of World War II.
1954
UEFA — the Union of European Football Associations — was founded.
1970
Brazil became the first country to win the World Cup three times.
1975
Dynamo Kyiv became the winner of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
1977
The legendary Pele, the most outstanding football player of the 20th century, ended his football career.
1992
Since 1992, the most prestigious annual international tournament for European football clubs is the Champions League.
1996
Women’s football has acquired the status of an Olympic sport.
Frequent Questions and answers about World Football Day
Where was the first world football championship held?
The first championship was held in South America – in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, in 1930. The Uruguayan football team became the first world champion.
Which country has won the World Cup the most times?
Brazil became the world champion 5 times, which gives the right to its national team to be considered the most successful in the world.
When did red and yellow cards begin to be used in football matches?
They were first used in 1970 at the World Cup in Mexico City. This was done for the convenience of the fans, who could clearly see the moment when the referee warned the player or removed him from the game.
When was the first international football match?
In 1872. It was a game between England and Scotland.
Where did the largest number of football fans gather at the same time?
At the Brazilian stadium Maracana in 1950, the match between Brazil and Uruguay gathered almost 200,000 spectators.
Postcards for World Football Day
👉 Section Postcards and greetings ➕ Postcards in Viber ➕ Postcards in Telegram
🎁 Gifts for World Football Day
Inflatable huge soccer ball 120 cm
Soccer ball
Sports bag
Goalkeeper gloves with finger protection
Fixator for football shields
Gift ideas for World Football Day
🎥 Spectacular moments in football
How to celebrate World Football Day?
Regarding football, people have long been divided into two parts. The former adore him, and even if they don’t chase the ball themselves, they watch the matches with pleasure, rooting for their favorite team. Other people are indifferent to this sport. But since the first group is much more numerous, it can be considered that World Football Day is celebrated by the whole planet.
On this day, many football matches of various levels are held – from matches of professional clubs to games of amateurs and children’s teams in our yards.
Of course, the best celebration of football day is active. This is a great opportunity to play your favorite game with friends or with your children. Nothing brings people together like a shared passion. You can also devote this day to watching a football match or read an interesting book about the history of football or biographies of outstanding football players.
Why is this day important?
Football is enjoyed by people of various professions, of various ages and wealth levels. It does not require any special equipment or expenses — a ball, a free court and a few willing players are enough.
In addition, football is interesting not only because of the winning score. True connoisseurs enjoy the well-thought-out and skillful tactics of the game.
This sport forces you to think ahead and make quick decisions at the same time. Also, football teaches to be both a leader and a subordinate. The ability to switch between these roles when necessary will also apply in everyday life.
It is especially useful for children to play football – it develops thinking, trains the body and nurtures personality. Amateur football is safe because it does not involve too much physical exertion.
Another important argument in favor of football is its ability to unite people of different ethnic, religious or linguistic groups. After all, when the national team plays, the entire population of the country cheers for it, and its victory is a common joy for everyone.
Football also plays an important role in the world economy. Leading football clubs justify significant investments and have high profits. The stock markets of the countries that won the World Cup rose by several percent in the winning year relative to the world indices.
