The history of football (soccer)

Football (or soccer as the game is called in some parts of the world) has a long history. Football in its current form
arose in England in the middle of the 19th century. But alternative versions of the game existed much earlier and are
a part of the football history.

Early history and the precursors of football

The first known examples of a team game involving a ball, which was made out of a rock, occurred in old
Mesoamerican cultures for over 3,000 years ago. It was by the Aztecs called Tchatali, although various versions of
the game were spread over large regions. In some ritual occasions, the ball would symbolize the sun and the captain
of the losing team would be sacrificed to the gods. A unique feature of the Mesoamerican ball game versions was a
bouncing ball made of rubber – no other early culture had access to rubber.

The first known ball game which also involved kicking took place In China in the 3rd and 2nd century BC under the
name cuju. Cuju was played with a round ball (stitched leather with fur or feathers inside) on an area of a square. A
modified form of this game later spread to Japan and was by the name of kemari practiced under ceremonial forms.

Perhaps even older cuju was Marn Gook, played by Aboriginal Australians and according to white emigrants in the
1800s a ball game primarily involving kicking. The ball was made by encased leaves or roots. The rules are mostly
unknown, but as with many other early versions of the game keeping the ball in the air was probably a chief feature.

Other variety of ball games had been known from Ancient Greece. The ball was made by shreds of leather filled
with hair (the first documents of balls filled with air are from the 7th century). Ball games had, however, a low
status and was not included at the Panhellenic Games. In the Ancient Rome, games with balls were not included in
the entertainment on the big arenas (amphitheaters), but occurred in exercises in the military by the name of
Harpastum. It was the Roman culture that would bring football to the British island (Britannica). It is, however,
uncertain in which degree the British people were influenced by this variety and in which degree they had
developed their own variants.

The game of football takes its form

The most admitted story tells that the game was developed in England in the 12th century. In this century, games
that resembled football were played on meadows and roads in England. Besides from kicks, the game involved also
punches of the ball with the fist. This early form of football was also much more rough and violent than the modern
way of playing.

An important feature of the forerunners to football was that the games involved plenty of people and took place over
large areas in towns (an equivalent was played in Florence from the 16th century where it was called Calcio). The
rampage of these games would cause damage on the town and sometimes death to the participants. These would be
among the reasons for the proclamations against the game that finally was forbidden for several centuries. But the
football-like games would return to the streets of London in the 17th century. It would be forbidden again in 1835,
but at this stage the game had been established in the public schools.

It took, however, long time until the features of today’s football had been taken into practice. For a long time there
was no clear distinction between football and rugby. There were also many variations concerning the size of the
ball, the number of players and the length of a match.

The game was often played in schools and two of the predominant schools were Rugby and Eton. At Rugby the
rules included the possibility to take up the ball with the hands and the game we today know as rugby has its origin
from here. At Eton on the other hand the ball was played exclusively with the feet and this game can be seen as a
close predecessor to the modern football. The game in Rugby was called “the running game” while the game in
Eton was called “the dribbling game”.

An attempt to create proper rules for the game was done at a meeting in Cambridge in 1848, but a final solution to
all questions of rules was not achieved. Another important event in the history of football came about in 1863 in
London when the first Football association was formed in England. It was decided that carrying the ball with the
hands wasn't allowed. The meeting also resulted in a standardization of the size and weight of the ball. A
consequence of the London meeting was that the game was divided into two codes: association football and rugby.

The game would, however, continue to develop for a long time and there was still much flexibility concerning the
rules. For one thing, the number of players on the pitch could vary. Neither were uniforms used to distinguish the
appearance of the teams. It was also common with players wearing caps – the header was yet to be a part of the
game yet. Further reading: The development of football rules.

Another important difference at this stage could be noticed between English and Scottish teams. Whereas the
English teams preferred to run forward with the ball in a more rugby fashion, the Scottish chose to pass the ball
between their players. It would be the Scottish approach that soon became predominant.

The sport was at first an entertainment for the British working class. Unprecedented amounts of spectators, up to
30,000, would see the big matches in the late 19th century. The game would soon expand by British peoples who
traveled to other parts of the world and as a result to the British colonization efforts. Especially in South America
and India would the interest in football become big.

The first football clubs

Football clubs have existed since the 15th century, but unorganized and without official status. It is therefore hard to
decide which the first football club was. Some historians suggest that it was the Foot-Ball Club formed 1824 in
Edinburgh. Early clubs were often formed by former school students and the first of this kind was formed in
Sheffield in 1855. The oldest among professional football clubs is the English club Notts County that was formed in
1862 and still exists today.

The first competitions

Other milestones were now to follow. Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup) became the first important
competition when it was run in 1871. The following year a match between two national teams was played for the
first time. The match that involved England and Scotland ended 0-0 and was followed by 4,000 people at Hamilton
Crescent (the picture shows illustrations from this occasion).

Twelve years later, in 1883, the first international tournament took place and included four national teams: England,
Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Football was for a long time a British phenomenon, but it gradually spread to other European countries. The first
game that took place outside Europe occurred in Argentina in 1867, but it was foreign British workers who were
involved and not Argentinean citizens.
Football Ground Measurement | Size of a Football Field
According to International Federation of Association Football rules, A standard football ground measurement
should be 105 x 68 meters. However, various football ground sizes are there but it can never be smaller than the
certified length and breadth by the international football body. 
 
Football ground is an essential part of the most popular sports game in the world, i.e. football. With the Football
World Cup 2022 around the corner, the fantasy football fever is going to be high in the coming months. 
 

Football Ground Dimensions (In Meters)

Coming to the football ground dimensions, the long length of the field, called ‘the touchline’ must be between 90 to
120 m, while the shorter width known as ‘the goal line’ is between 45 to 90 m. The football pitch is split with a half-
way line.
Football Ground Dimensions: Corner Area and Corner Flags
Corner flags, also known as flag poles, are placed at each corner of the rectangular football field and must be at
least 1.5 m tall. An arc of 1-meter radius is marked around each flag, facing the field from where a corner kick is
taken. A corner kick is taken if the ball crosses the goal line with the last touch being of the defending team player. 
 
Football Ground Measurement: Goal Area and Goal Posts
Two goal posts are designated to be on the two opposite goal lines of the football field. Goals are located on the
center of each goal line and are 7.32 m wide and 2.44 m high above the pitch. As a result, the area that players
shoot at is 17.86 sq. m. Nets are usually placed behind the goal, though are not mandatory according to the Laws. 
 
The goal area, also known as the "6-yard box", is a small box close to the goal posts and goal lines. The goal area
is 5.5 m deep and originates at 5.5 m from each goal post.
 
Football Ground: Penalty Area and Penalty Kicks
The penalty area is the goalkeeper’s area and is marked by a rectangular box. The penalty area is 16.5 m deep
and originates at 16.5 m from each goal post. The distance between the two penalty area lines remains at 40.3
m. This area has a number of functions, the most prominent being that the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball
inside the area.
 
A penalty kick is awarded when a player is fouled inside the penalty area. The penalty shot is needed to be taken
from a penalty mark drawn for the purpose. The mark is at 11 m distance from the goal line and lies exactly in the
middle of the two goal posts.
 
Football Ground Size: Center Spot and Center Circle
A football ground has a center circle of radius of 9.15 m. A football game starts/resumes with a kick-off from the
center spot at the start of each half and after the scoring of every goal. The team that concedes a goal restarts the
play.
 
Football Ground Measurement: Technical Area
There are also two technical areas located on the “touchline” side of the pitch where the reserve players, coaching
staff and other members sit and provide instructions to on field players. Only the manager or the coach is
authorized to advise the players on the field from the designated box or area.
 
Football Ground: Playing Surface
While grass is the typical playing surface, football can also be played on artificial turf or on dirt surfaces. Different
kinds of artificial surfaces are there and many well-known stadiums in the world have artificial turf pitches.
 
Football Ground Measurement: How It Has Changed Over The Years
Although the basic football dimensions and size of a football ground haven’t changed much, a lot of things have
been introduced like the drainage system, advanced soil and grass system, underground heating and many more. 
 
In earlier days, there were no specific markings on the playing surface and only a boundary line used to separate
the field of play from the viewers or audience. Most domestic league matches, international matches and world cup
tournaments are being held in modern football stadiums with all kinds of safety features (for players as well as
audience).
 

Main Football Rules and Regulations

Laws of the Game
There are 17 laws that govern how the game is to be played so that it is fair to all players taking part in a game. The
most basic rule is that a player needs to move the ball towards the opponents’ goal line and away from his/her own
using any body part except the hands and arms. But what are the main rules and regulations of football? The Laws
of the Game were created by the FA in 1863 when there were just 13 rules.

The pitch must be a rectangle, marked with touchlines, goal lines and areas, a halfway line, a center circle, penalty
areas, spots, arcs corner arcs and flag post. The short edges are the touch lines whereas the shorter lines are referred
to as goal lines. A half line runs across the center of the field dividing it into two equal parts. All these must be
marked as well as the goal areas, center circle, penalty area and corner arcs with a flag on each corner. The
acceptable dimensions of a football field are 90-120meters length by 45-90meters width.

Rule 2: The ball

The pitch must be a rectangle, marked with touchlines, goal lines and areas, a halfway line, a center circle, penalty areas, spots, arcs
corner arcs and flag post. The short edges are the touch lines whereas the shorter lines are referred to as goal lines. A half line runs across
the center of the field dividing it into two equal parts. All these must be marked as well as the goal areas, center circle, penalty area and
corner arcs with a flag on each corner. The acceptable dimensions of a football field are 90-120meters length by 45-90meters width.

The ball must be made of approved materials. The ball that will be used in a game must have a diameter of 68-70
cm (27-28in), weight between 410-450g (14-16oz) and must have an internal pressure of between 0.6 and 1.1
atmospheres at sea level. It can only be changed by the referee.  If ever it bursts during a game, the play is stopped
and restarted with a new drop ball.

Rule 3: The number of players

A football match consists of two teams of not more than 11 players each including a goalkeeper An outfield player
may swap with the goalkeeper during a stoppage of play. Teams must have at least seven players to begin or
continue a match. A maximum of three substitutions are allowed per team in official matches but the number can be
more in friendly games.

Rule 4: The players’ equipment

All players must wear a shirt, socks, shorts, shin pads or shin guards and football boots. Goalkeepers from both
teams should wear gloves and jerseys that distinguishes them from their own team, opponents and from the
officials. Headgear is permitted if it does not present a threat to other players. Wearing any forms of jewelries
during a match is prohibited.

Check out ‘The Football Book: The Teams, The Rules, The Leagues, The Tactics’ for more information on football
rules and regulation
Rule 5: The referees / officials

Every game must be controlled by a referee whose role is to ensure that all rules are followed and punish those who
do not adhere as well as stopping and starting the game as is necessary. He or she is the final decision-making
authority on all facts connected with play. Referees’ remuneration for their services varies between leagues.

Rule 6: The assistant referees

Assistant referees (at least two) also known as linesmen have a role to assist the main referee in manning the game.
The assistant referee’s duties generally consist of judging when the ball has left the field of play. They support the
referee primarily by signaling for corner kicks, throw-ins, and offside infringements. At higher levels of play the
referee is also assisted by a fourth official. The fourth official’s duties are usually administrative in nature and vary
depending on the match rules and the discretion of the referee.

Rule 7: The duration of the match

A football match is played for two sessions, 45 minutes each with a break of 15 minutes maximum in between.
Additional minutes or injury time may be added at the end of the game to cater for time lost caring for injured
players. Overtime is the time added to a match when no winner has been determined by the end of regular time.

Rule 8: The starting and restart of play

A coin is tossed by the captains of the competing teams and the team to start the game predetermined. A kick-off
between two members of a team then starts the game at the center circle. After halftime, the opposing team begins
the match.

Rule 9: Ball in or out of play

The ball is in play when it is inside the field of play and the referee has not stopped play.

The ball is out of play when it has completely crossed the touchlines or the goals lines, whether in the air or on the
ground.

If the ball rebounds off a goalpost, crossbar, corner flagpost, or the referee of one of the assistant referees and
remains in the field of play, it is still in play.

Rule 10: The method of scoring

A goal is scored when the ball has completely crossed the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar,
provided that no other infringements have taken place. The team with the most goals wins. If both teams score the
same number of goals, or if no goals are scored at all, the match is a draw.

Rule 11: Offside

A player is offside, at the moment a ball is passed forward, when he is: in the opponents’ half of the field; is closer
to the opponents’ goal line than the ball; and there are fewer than two defenders including the goalkeeper closer to
the goal line than the attacking player. When a player is called offside, the opposition is awarded a free-kick.

Rule 12: Fouls and Misconduct

The referee decides on the deserving punishment depending on how extreme a foul is. A foul has been committed if
a player trips, kicks, pushes, charges another player recklessly, striking of any kind (punching, headbutting,
elbowing, kneeing, choking including biting), attempts to strike or spits at an opponent, makes a tackle but connects
with the player before the ball, deliberately handles the ball  (except for the goalkeepers), obstructs an opponent or
prevents them from releasing the ball. These include issuing red and yellow cards to those at fault and giving free
kicks, throw-ins or penalties to the opposing team.

Rule 13: Free kicks (direct and indirect)

Free kicks restart play after a foul or infringement and are usually taken from the place from which the offense was
committed. Free-kicks can be “direct”in which  the taker may score directly, or “indirect”, in which the taker and a
second player from the same team must touch the ball before a goal can be scored.

Rule 14: The penalty kick

A penalty-kick is awarded for a foul committed by a defending player in his or her own penalty area. The kick is
taken from the penalty spot and all other players except for the goalkeeper and taker must be at least 9.15m (10yrd)
from the spot. The taker may touch the ball if it rebounds from the goalkeeper, but not if it rebounds from the post
or crossbar.

Rule 15: The throw-in

A throw-in is awarded when the ball has crossed the touchline and an opposition player was the last to touch it. The
throw is taken from the point from which the  ball crossed the line. The taker must have both feet on the ground, use
two hands  throw the ball from behind and over the head, and be facing the field of play.

Rule 16: The goal-kick

A goal-kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball crosses its goal line, a golal has not been scored, and the
last player to touch it was from the opposition. Any player may take the goal kick, placing the ball anywhere in the
goal area. The kick must send the ball out of the penalty area or be retaken. The taker may not touch the ball again
until it has been touched by a second player.

Rule 17: The corner-kick

A corner-kick is awarded to the attacking team when the opposition is last to touch the ball and the ball crosses the
goal line without a goal being scored. It is also awarded if the ball enters the goal from a throw-in or indirect free
kick. The attacking team restarts play by placing the ball in the corner arc nearest to where it crossed the goal line.

Fundamental skills and Techniques

8 fundamental skills you need to develop to become a better football player

 Passing and receiving.

 Shooting.
 Decision making.
 Dribbling.
 Heading.
 Touch and ball control.
 Skills and tricks.
 Running off the bal

Passing and receiving

These two basic tools are the most essential ingredients for any footballer’s success. Accuracy is the key when it
comes to passing and receiving. It makes open play fluid and ensures constant progress up the field that can result in creating scoring
opportunities.

“When you see top leagues around the world, the ball doesn’t really stop once it is received. It is constantly moving in the direction that it
needs to go to build up play,” Chhangte says.

According to him, receiving the ball correctly is the first step, which in turn can open up multiple options to make the right pass. A smooth
transition can lead to promising attacking situations.

“If the pass isn’t great, there’s a chance of losing the ball and handing the opposition the opportunity to counterattack. So both these
skills work together and need to be executed correctly,” he says.

How to develop this skill: Training with another player by exchanging passes is the most basic drill to develop this skill. You could also play
2v2 or 3v3 games in a very small area to further develop your passing ability. In the absence of a partner, Chhangte suggests passing the
ball against a wall and receiving the ball from the bounce back.

Related

S HOOTING
Every player needs accurate shooting skills, especially attacking players like Chhangte. During the 2021-2022 ISL season, Chhangte scored
a screamer against NorthEast United FC from outside the box, which he says has been a result of the work that he’s put in during the
offseason.

“I need to work a lot on my shooting. I always spend extra time working on my shooting skills after regular training. You need to develop
power in your shot, but more importantly, you need accuracy and confidence while making the strike,” he says.

How to develop this skill: A simple drill is to shoot at a goal, targeting a very specific corner of the goal to hit the ball towards with each
shot. Chhangte recommends a variation to this drill by adding a defender in a 1v1 situation so you further improve your skills for game
situations.

D ECISION MAKING
When Chhangte had the chance to work with the Liverpool academy in 2016, he observed a stark difference in the way the players
approached the game.

“When the Europeans get the ball, they already know where to pass. In India, we receive the ball and then decide which direction to pass.
I believe that it’s important to know where you are going to pass even before you receive the ball,” Chhangte says.

How to develop this skill: To pull this off, Chhangte believes that awareness on the pitch at all times is critical. To develop this skill, pay
attention to positions of players on the field during matches, whether you are playing or just watching. Chhangte says the ability to make
the right decision can only be mastered through experience.
Related

D RIBBLING
It’s a regular sight to watch Chhangte blazing down the pitch. But the pace can only be productive with the right ball control, balance and
dribbling skills to beat the marker.

How to develop this skill: During training, Chhangte creates a grid using cones; then he has the ball at his feet and runs with it at pace
around the obstacles, keeping the ball close to his body at all times. Change the positions of the cones every time you practice this drill.
Aside from this drill, you could also practice zigzag runs, shuttles up and down, diagonal dribbles and working on each foot individually. As
you get better with your dribbling ability, reduce the gap between the cones to make the drill tougher.

“It’s important to work with both the left and right foot. I also find it very useful to have a defender who is constantly trying to take the
ball away from you while practicing dribbling,” Chhangte says.

Heading
The header can be a vital tool to score goals during open play and in dead ball situations. At the same time, it can be effectively used to
clear the ball while defending or to simply make a pass.

By his own admission, heading isn’t Chhangte’s strongest point, given his short stature. Yet it’s something he’s constantly been working
on.“I spend quite some time on headers at training where a partner usually feeds balls to me,” Chhangte says.

How to develop this skill: The most basic drill is to ask a partner to toss the ball that you then head back to them. A more advanced
training drill is keepy-uppies with just the head practiced with a bunch of players. For seasoned players, a small-sided game that involves
scoring goals with only headers can be quite effective training.

T OUCH AND BALL CONTROL

A player’s ball control can be critical in building up play, especially at the time of receiving the ball. Chhangte says he developed his ball
control skills by simply juggling the ball at every opportunity.

“The idea is to feel the ball as often as you can – keep it at your feet or in the air and just move it around all the time. The more you can
manage to do this, the more confident you get about control,” he says.

How to develop this skill: Practice drills in which you have to control the ball with two touches; for example, passing drills in which you
receive the ball from a partner and control it with one touch before passing it back with the second touch. Progress to practicing the drill
with a single touch. Keepy-uppies are also useful in developing this skill.

S KILLS AND TRICKS

Chhangte believes it is important to have a few skills in the bag that can help a player beat the defender in 1v1 situations.

“There are a lot of skills that you can pick up from YouTube. The key is to master a few of them that you can confidently pull off in the
game, rather than knowing too many that you’re probably unsure of,” Chhangte says.

How to develop this skill: Look up some skills online and practice them over multiple repetitions until you have perfected them to use in
game situations. Start with basic skills like the scissors move and progress to complex skills like the Cruyff Turn.

D UTIES OF F OOTBALL O FFICIALS

The referee starts the game and sanctions corner kicks, goal kicks, offside, handballs, throw-ins, direct kicks and substitutions
at an appropriate time. His main responsibility is to run the whole match with minimal interruptions allowed.
In professional football matches, the game is controlled by four officials: the referee, two assistant referees, and the
fourth official. The referee has full authority and, aided by other officials, is tasked with enforcing the 17 Laws of the
Game.

RISE OF T H E F OO T B AL L R EF E R E E

During the early days of association football, these “men and women in black” were absent. Instead, teams relied on
a spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship. As disputes began to escalate during the 1860s and ‘70s, however,
umpires were introduced. But it wasn’t until 1881 than an objective and authoritative official, known as referee, first
appeared.

F O O TB A LL R EF E R E E T H A T L E AD T H E L I G HT

As the referee’s standing grew during the 20th century, influential figures began to emerge. English referee Stanley
Rous, for example, was one of the leading referees of the 1930s. In addition to instigating the diagonal system of
control, he drafted the 1938 rewrite of the rules, which remain substantially unchanged today. He also championed
the provision of referee training by FIFA for all its new members.

F O O TB A LL R EF E R E E ’ S D U T I E S A ND R E SP O NS I B I L I T I E S

The football match is controlled by the referee, who has full authority to enforce the rules for the match to which he
has been appointed. His main duties are:

FOOTBALL RE FE R E E MUST   E NFOR C E T HE R ULE S

The referee’s principal responsibility is to enforce the rules to his appointed match as set out in the Laws of the
Game. He has the full power to sanction players for misbehaving badly during a match.

FOOTBALL RE FE R E E MUST C ONT R OL T HE MAT C H

The referee must control the match in cooperation with the assistant referees and, for official matches, the fourth
official. Controlling the match means keeping the game under the Laws of the Game all the time and at all cost.

FOOTBALL RE FE R E E MUST C HE C K E QUI PME NT

He must ensure that the ball and the players’ equipment meet the requirements of the Laws of the Game. This
includes checking on players’ shirts, shorts, boots and protective gear. A player who is not wearing the correct
football kit will be asked to leave the pitch by the referee and may only return when the referee has confirmed that
his kit is correct.

FOOTBALL RE FE R E E MUST TI ME KE E P AND MAI NT AI N R E C OR D S

The referee must act as the timekeeper for the match, and keep a record of any substitutions and offenses.

FOOTBALL RE FE R E E WI L L ST OP PL AY W HE N NE CE SSAR Y

The referee must stop, suspend, or abandon the match for any infringements of the Laws of the Game, or because of
any other outside interference.

F O O T B AL L RE FE R E E M U ST E N SU R E PL A Y E R SAFE T Y

The referee must stop the match if a player is seriously injured, ensuring that he is removed from the field of play.
Important Tournament
The biggest and the most famous international tournament of Football is The World Cup which is organized by
FIFA. This competition takes place once in every four years.

1. FIFA W ORLD C UP
There is no greater competition than the World Cup.The European Championship may have a greater variety of winners. The
Champions League may provide better football. However, nothing matches the prestige of lifting the FIFA World Cup.

2. UEFA C HAMPIONS L EAGUE

The UEFA Champions League is the most glamorous club competition in world football.This tournament brings together the greatest
teams in the world.As the financial clout of club football has grown, it has managed to supersede international football. In terms of the
quality of play on the field, the Champions League is now the best tournament there is.

3. UEFA E UROPEAN C HAMPIONSHIP

The first pan-European international tournament was held in 1958 in France.In the intervening 55 years, the European Championship has
established itself as one of world football's most exciting competitions.The European Championship is characterised by its unusually
competitive nature: The 14 tournaments to date have produced nine different winners. Germany and Spain currently lead the field with
three triumphs each.

4. C OPA A MERICA
The Copa America is the oldest existing continental football competition.The first formal Copa America was held in Argentina in 1916 to
commemorate the first century of Argentina's independence.The competition involves the teams associated with CONMEBOL as well as
two other nations, frequently Mexico, Costa Rica or the United States.

5. C OPA L IBERTADORES
The Copa Libertadores is the South American equivalent of the Champions League.The Libertadores trophy is the most coveted prize in
South American club football, and the competition's final is broadcast in an incredible 135 countries across the globe.The Copa has
extraordinary cultural currency in South America. It has spawned the Spanish phrase "El Sueno Libertador," referring to the dream of
lifting the historic prize aloft. Since the competition's inception in 1960, many have chased that dream.

6. UEFA E UROPA L EAGUE

The UEFA Europa League is the much-maligned successor to the UEFA Cup.As the Champions League's younger and less glamorous
sibling, the Europa League is vulnerable to snipers who criticise the competition's enormous fixture list and plethora of dead-rubber ties.

7. A FRICA C UP OF N ATIONS
Africa is a continent that is seemingly in love with football. This tournament pits Africa's greatest international sides against each other in
a fascinating battle for supremacy.The continent's most successful side is Egypt. They have won the tournament a record seven times,
although they have not yet managed to transfer this continental success to the global stage.

8. FA C UP
The FA Cup is arguably the most famous domestic competition in the world.Established in July 1871, it is the oldest association football
competition in the world. The FA Cup has produced some of English football's most iconic moments and is partly responsible for
Wembley's status as "The Home of Football."

9. C ONFEDERATIONS C UP
The Confederations Cup rose to prominence in 2005 when it was established as a vital forerunner to the World Cup.Since that auspicious
summer, the tournament has been held in the same country that will host the World Cup the following year. The Confederations Cup has
subsequently become a vital part of preparation for global football's most celebrated tournament.

10. C OPA DEL R EY

The Copa del Rey, or "King's Cup," is one of European football's most prestigious cup competitions.The history of the Copa del Rey is both
rich and regal. Until the formation of the Campeonato de Liga in 1928, the Copa was Spain's principal domestic competition. It is the
longest-running competition in Spanish football.

Famous Sports Personalities National

 Sunil Chhetri
 Bhaichung Bhutia
 Sandesh Jhingan
 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
 Jeje Lalpekhlua
 Jackichand Singh
 Dheeraj Singh
 Pranoy Halder
 Udanta Singh
 Ashique Kuruniyan

Famous Sports Personalities International

1. Pele.
2. Diego Maradona.
3. Lionel Messi
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
5. Zinedine Zidane
6. Johan Cruyff
7. Ronaldo Nazario.
8.Alfredo Di Stefano
9. Franz Beckenbauer
10. Michel Platini

L IST OF FOOTBALL FEDERATIONS & ASSOCIATIO N

I NTERNATIONAL
 FIFA - Fédération Internationale de Football Association - 208 members - founded in 1904, represents nations from around the
world, and is the overall governing body of recognised international football. Its premier tournament is the quadrennial FIFA
World Cup.
 NF-Board - New Federation Board - 18 members + 14 provisional - founded in 2003 represents nations, dependencies,
unrecognized states, minorities, stateless peoples, regions and micronations not affiliated to FIFA. The main tournament is the
VIVA World Cup.

C ONTINENTAL
FIFA C O NF E D E R A T I O N S

FIFA-member football associations are formed together into continental confederations, which organise continental
national and club competitions.

 AFC Asian Football Confederation - 46 members + 1 associate - founded in 1954 - represents Asian nations in football. The main
tournament is the Asian Cup.
 CAF Confédération Africaine de Football - 53 members + 2 associate - founded in 1957 - represents African nations in football.
The main tournament is the African Cup of Nations.
 CONCACAF Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football - 40 members - founded in 1961
represents North American, Central American and Caribbean nations. The main tournament is the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
 CONMEBOL - Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol - 10 members - founded in 1916 represents South American nations in
football. The main tournament is the Copa America.
 OFC - Oceania Football Confederation - 11 members + 5 associate - founded in 1966 represents Oceanian nations in football. The
main tournament is the OFC Nations Cup.
 UEFA Union of European Football Associations - 53 members - founded in 1954 represents European nations in football. The
main tournament is the UEFA European Championship.

N ON -FIFA C ONFEDERATIONS
Two continental confederations exist within the NF-Board.

 CSANF - Consejo Sudamericano de Nuevas Federaciones - 4 members + 1 associate - founded in 2007 represents teams not
affiliated fo FIFA in South America.
 NAANF - North America and Arctic New Federations - 0 members - founded in 2008, represents non-FIFA teams in North
America, Central America, Caribbean and in the Arctic region.

I NTER C ONTINENTAL
The following confederations consist of FIFA member associations that cross continental boundaries.

 GFU Gulf Football Union - 8 members - founded in 1968, represents Arab nations from the Persian Gulf area. The main
tournament is the Gulf Cup.
 PFC Panamerican Football Confederation - 50 members - founded in 1946 represents teams from America. The main tournament
is the Panamerican Championship.
 UAFA Union Arab de Football Association - 22 members - founded in 1974 represents Arab nations from Africa and Asia. The
main tournament is the Arab Nations Cup.

R EGIONAL
A FRICA

Affiliated to CAF

 CECAFA - Council of East and Central African Football Associations - 10 members + 1 associate - founded in 1927, represents
nations generally regarded as forming the regions of East Africa and some nations of Central Africa. The main tournament is the
CECAFA Cup.
 COSAFA - Council of Southern African Football Associations - 14 members + 1 associate - founded in 1997, represents nations
generally regarded as forming Southern Africa, as well as island states off the coast of Southern Africa. The main tournament is
the COSAFA Cup.
 WAFU - Union of West African Football Associations - 8 members - founded in 1977, one of two bodies that represent nations in
West Africa. The main tournament is the CSSA Nations Cup.
 UNAF - Union of North African Federations - 5 members - founded in 2005, represents nations regarded as forming North Africa.
 UNIFFAC - Union des Fédérations du Football de l'Afrique Centrale - 8 members - represents some of the nations that form
Central Africa. The main tournament is the CEMAC Cup.
 UFOA - Union du Football de l'Ouest Afrique - 7 members - one of two bodies that represent nations in West Africa. The main
tournament is the CEDEAO Cup.

A SIA
Affiliated to AFC
  WAFF - West Asian Football Federation - 9 members - founded in 2000, represents nations at the western extremity of the
continent. The WAFF has six members, but the AFC groups those non members into a single geographical region. The main
turnment is West Asian Football Federation Championship.
 EAFF - East Asian Football Federation - 9 members + 1 provisional - founded in 2002 represents nations generally agreed to
constitute the "far east". The main tournament is the East Asian Cup.
 CESAFA - Central and South Asian Football Federation - 13 members - represents nations in central Asia and the Indian
subcontinent. And is sub-divided in two federations: SAFF and CAFF.
o SAFF - South Asian Football Federation - 8 members - represents nations from South Asia, is affiliated to CESAFA. The
main tournament is the SAFF Championship.
o CAFF - Central Asian Football Federation - 5 members - represents nations from Central Asia, is affiliated to CESAFA.
 AFF - ASEAN Football Federation - 12 members - founded in 1984 represents nations from Southeast Asia. The main tournament
is the AFF Football Championship.

N ORTH A MERICA
Affiliated to CONCACAF

 CFU - Caribbean Football Union - 30 members - represents all nations in the Caribbean. The main tournament is the Caribbean
Cup.
o LIFA - Leeward Islands Football Association - 11 members - founded in 1949, represents nations of the Leeward
archipelago and is affiliated to CFU. The main tournament is the Leeward Islands Tournament.
o WIFA - Windward Islands Football Association - 4 members - represents nations of the Windward archipelago and is
affiliated to CFU. The main tournament is the Windward Islands Tournament.
 NAFU - North American Football Union - 3 members - represents the three sovereign nations of North America. The main
tournament was the now defunct North American Nations Cup.
 UNCAF Union Centroamericana de Fútbol - 7 members - represents the seven nations of Central America. The main tournament
is the UNCAF Nations Cup.

D EFUNCT
 CCCF - Confederacion Centroamericana y del Caribe de Futbol - 37 members - dissolved in 1961, represented Central America
and Caribbean region and was directly affiliated to FIFA. The main tournament was the CCCF Championship.
 CENF - Confederation of European New Federations - 0 members - founded in 2007 and dissolved in 2008, represented teams
not affiliated to FIFA in Europe, and was affiliated to NF-Board. The main tournament was the CENF Cup, but was never played.
 FIFI - Federation of International Football Independents - 5 members - represents nations, dependencies and unrecognized states
not affiliated to FIFA. The main tournament was the FIFI Wild Cup.
 IFU - International Football Union - 2 provisional members - founded in 2009 as an international football confederation for
nations and territories not admitted to FIFA, was dissolved in 2010.
 NAFC - North American Football Confederation - 4 members - founded in 1946 and dissolved in 1961, represented the North
American region and was directly affiliated to FIFA. The main tournament was the NAFC Championship.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I an really grateful for this project opportunity and
would sincerely thank my teacher Mr. Lalit Tiger
for trusting me for this project . their suggestion and
feed back have helped me a lot in improving the
quality of the project.
Also, I would lik to mention this support system and
consideration of my parents who have been there in
my life .
Lastly, I like to thanks all my supporters & friends
who have motivated me to fulfill their project before
the time line .

By: mohd. Faizan

Class: xi – b
Roll no. : 50
 Index
1. History of the game

2. Measurement and Dimensions

3. Rules and Regulations

4. Fundamental skills and Techniques

5. Duties of Officials

6. Important Tournament

7. Famous Sports Personalities ( National & International )

8. Names of Associations & Federations