Soccer Coach Article

Some Interesting Soccer Facts

The FIFA World Cup has drawn so much attention that it is probably a good thing to brush up on some soccer facts just so you can understand sports conversations, even if you do not contribute directly to it. Soccer is very likely to be a lively topic of conversation wherever you may go, at work, the restaurants, anywhere. If you are an avid soccer fan and never missed a game, then you are most likely one of the “orators”. But if all you know about soccer is that your kid plays it every weekend, then you might need to have some information in your pocket just so you will not go around with your foot in your mouth.

There is a common misconception among Americans that soccer began in the United States. Soccer, as we know it today, was actually first played in Britain around the 18th century.

The first soccer games that took place in Britain was violent that the king at that time, King Edward III, tried to ban it and make it illegal to play the game to prevent injury for the people playing it. However, the game was already popular during this time that soccer continued to be played throughout the country.

Soccer only received worldwide acclaim with the formation of the Football Association in 1863.

Players were allowed to use their hands during the game. This was stopped in 1969 by the Football Association who decided that the ball must not be touched during the game.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup will be held in the beautiful country of Germany.

Before 1878, the match referees did not use whistles. They had to use a handkerchief and wave them around to get the player’s attention and make their calls. They were probably thankful for the whistles.

There have been eleven World Cup tournaments that have been held since 1950 and Brazil is the only country that has competed in all eleven games, out of all the countries who participated. Brazil has managed to win five out of these eleven games.

Players only started wearing shin guards during soccer game in 1874. Their legs must have been very sore after the game before then.

It is estimated that an average of more than thirty billion people worldwide will settle in front of the television to watch the World Cup games.

The first soccer World Cup match was held in 1930 in Uruguay, played by Mexico and France. France was the huge winner that day, beating Mexico with a final score of 4-1.

In 1966, soccer players started to be randomly drug tested.

Usually, the country that hosts the World Cup tends to be the winner of the tournament, much like the Olympics. Hosting the game in their own country probably gives the soccer players an incentive to win but whatever it is, it works.