History of football

From the London rules of 1863 to the 48-team World Cup: the moments that shaped the most popular sport on the planet.

1. 1863

   The Football Association is born

   On 26 October the FA is founded in London; it publishes the first unified rules and separates football from rugby.

2. 1872

   First international match

   Scotland and England draw 0-0 in Glasgow on 30 November, in the first official match between national teams.

3. 1886

   The IFAB is created

   The four British associations found the International Football Association Board, which has guarded the Laws of the Game ever since.

4. 1888

   First professional league

   The Football League kicks off in England, the first league competition in the world.

5. 1904

   FIFA is founded

   On 21 May, seven European associations found the Fédération Internationale de Football Association in Paris.

6. 1916

   CONMEBOL and the first South American Championship

   The South American confederation is born and the first South American Championship, the forerunner of the Copa América, is played and won by Uruguay.

7. 1930

   First World Cup

   Uruguay hosts and wins the first World Cup, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final in Montevideo.

8. 1954

   UEFA is born

   The European associations create their confederation, which will soon organize the major continental tournaments.

9. 1956

   First European Cup

   Real Madrid win the first edition (1955-56) of the European Cup, the start of five consecutive titles.

10. 1960

    Libertadores and the Euros

    Peñarol win the first Copa Libertadores and the Soviet Union win the first European Championship (then the European Nations' Cup).

11. 1970

    Cards at a World Cup

    Yellow and red cards are used for the first time at a World Cup (Mexico 1970), which Brazil win for the third time.

12. 1991

    First Women's World Cup

    China hosts the first FIFA Women's World Cup; the United States are crowned champions.

13. 1992

    Premier League and the back-pass rule

    The English Premier League is born and the rule that stops goalkeepers handling a deliberate back-pass played with the foot comes into force.

14. 1995

    The Bosman ruling

    The EU Court of Justice frees EU players at the end of their contracts and abolishes quotas between EU countries.

15. 2000

    First FIFA Club World Cup

    Brazil hosts the first FIFA Club World Championship, won by Corinthians.

16. 2018

    VAR arrives at the World Cup

    Video assistant refereeing is used for the first time at a World Cup, at Russia 2018.

17. 2022

    Argentina, champions in Qatar

    Argentina win their third World Cup, beating France on penalties in one of the most memorable finals.

18. 2025

    A 32-team Club World Cup

    The United States stages the new expanded Club World Cup format; Chelsea are crowned champions.

19. 2026

    First 48-team World Cup

    Canada, Mexico and the United States host the first World Cup with 48 teams.