Call it Football or Call It Soccer – FIFA Fever Is Contagious!
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 is on! As the biggest soccer event in the world reaches fever pitch, it’s a great time to take a closer look at the game, and its rich history. Celebrating the best of the best in this wildly popular sport, the World Cup unites players and fans alike, as teams live the dream of winning the Cup!
Source: sportsnet.ca
The Big Debate: The Name of the Game
The name of the game is football. Or, is it soccer? The answer depends on who you ask, and can be found partly in the history of the sport. The modern version of soccer can be traced to the mid-1800s in England, where there were two types of football. The first started in public schools and involved passing the ball by hand, and would eventually become known as rugby. The other involved passing the ball by kicking. This game was called “association” football, named after its governing body, the football association.
Russia-Saudi Series Opener – Source: TSN.ca
Rugby became known by the slang term “rugger”, and “assoc” became the slang reference for association football. The term soccer was derived by adding “er” to “assoc.” In countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the US, soccer is used more commonly, in part to avoid confusion with other popular national sports.
Historic Facts Tell an Interesting Story
Before modern-day soccer, the origins of the game are said to date back more than 2,000 years, to ancient Rome, China, Greece, and regions of Central America. The game we know and love today originated in England (see The Big Debate).
During the first-ever international football match between Scotland and England in 1872,[1] players wore knickerbockers and bobble hats. The headgear was part of the uniform, which lasted into the 20th century.
Source: www.roarforscotland.com
Soccer balls were more oval than round in the earliest days because they were made of inflated pig’s bladders which were placed inside leather cases. When Indian rubber was discovered in the 1860s, the egg-shaped ball was out, and a rounder ball came into play.
During its infancy, football was an upper-class sport in England. The rules of the game were developed mainly by students attending public schools and universities.
Penalties or referees were not part of the original rules of the game. Debating skills were almost as important as physical ability, as players could appeal against decisions first to captains and then to umpires. Referees became part of the game in 1891.[2]
Source: kaplaininternational.com
London’s Kensington High Street traffic lights are the inspiration behind the red and yellow cards used in the game today. British referee and FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Ken Aston, was driving through London when he first thought of better ways to demonstrate a warning, or to send a player off the field.[3]
Canadians (and People Everywhere) LOVE the Game
Soccer is a game that can be played spontaneously with nothing more than an open space, a ball and a few players. From children playing soccer with their neighbours, to a pro footballer vying for the Cup, the passion for the game is the same. Soccer brings people together, creates friendly (and frenzied) rivalries, pushes players to excellence, and builds team and national pride! Well, no wonder it’s the most popular game in the world![4]
Source: soccerbasics.net
Soccer Associations Supporting Future World Class Players
Soccer associations assist and support members and their affiliated soccer clubs, providing leadership and structure in advancing players and coaches to thrive at the game.
In British Columbia:
https://clubcharter.bcsoccer.net/
In Alberta:
https://albertasoccer.com/
In Saskatchewan:
http://sasksoccer.com/
In Manitoba:
http://manitobasoccer.ca/
In Ontario:
https://www.ontariosoccer.net/
In Quebec:
http://www.federation-soccer.qc.ca/
In Nova Scotia:
https://www.soccerns.ca/
In Yukon:
http://www.yukonsoccer.yk.ca/
In Northwest Territories:
http://nwtsoccer.ca/
Limited Edition FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Flag
Raise Your Team Up on the World Stage – Do It with Flags!
Get your team’s flag on (we’ve got them all!) and join fans around the world as we all stand behind our favorites! No matter who you’re rooting for, we’re here to set you up with a full range of products, including national flags, paper stick flags, friendship pins, vinyl decals, crests, car flags, and temporary tattoos!
Limited Edition FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Ball and Pennant
Get Your Limited Edition Keepsakes – Before It’s Too Late!
There’s still time to get your hands on the Official FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 flag, felt pennant and soccer ball! Contact one of our 12 Flag Shop locations near you, today!
Catch FIFA Fever – It’s Contagious!
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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1872_Scotland_vs_England_football_match
[2] https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa
[3] https://www.fifa.com
[4] https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-world.html