Women's football matches once pulled bigger crowds than most men's games - sometimes more than 50,000.

Modern football originated in Britain in the 19th century. Since before medieval times, “folk football” games had been played in towns and villages according to local customs and with a minimum of rules.

FIFA’s mission is develop football everywhere and for all, to touch the world through its inspiring tournaments and to build a better future through the power of the game.
Explore FIFA is a series of short animated films that bring you into our world with a visual and easy-to-understand explanation of how we go about carrying out this mission.

Football is a great sport, but it could be so much better if it were run honestly.

When did football as we know it take shape?
A key moment in the development of the game as we know it came in October 1863, when representatives from a dozen schools and clubs met at the Freemasons’ Tavern in London to form the Football Association and agree a set of official rules under which they could all play.

The contemporary history of the world's favourite game spans more than 100 years. It all began in 1863 in England, when rugby football and association football branched off on their different courses and the Football Association in England was formed - becoming the sport's first governing body.