by Simon Wright

Created on: January 18, 2009

Soccer's formal name is Association Football but it is more commonly known throughout the world simply as football. It is the most popular team sport in the world, both in terms of the number of people who play it and the number who follow it as fans. The chances are, however, that you already knew this, so let's go on and look at some less well known facts about the beautiful game.

Development of the game of football:

- In 1848, the Cambridge Rules helped to define and standardise the rules of football. Running with the ball in your hands was outlawed! This change was not appreciated by everyone and a breakaway group resulted in the formation of rugby as a separate sport.

- In 1863, the rules were further refined as the Football Association was created in England.

- The first international match was played in 1872, in Glasgow, between Scotland and England. The match ended in a goalless draw.

- In 1885, the English Football association agreed to allow football players to be paid by their clubs.

- The first recorded women's football match was played in 1895, between teams representing the north and south of England. However, in 1921, a rule was passed banning women's matches from being played on Football Association pitches.

- The first ever World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 and was won by the host nation.

- A women's World Cup was launched in 1991, in China, and ended with the US beating Norway 2-1.

Famous players:

- Pele helped Brazil to win the 1958 World Cup, when he was just seventeen. He went on to play in the 1962, 1966, and 1970 competitions. Brazil won in 1962 and 1970, meaning that Pele picked up three World Cup winners' medals. Most players dream of just getting one!

- Diego Armando Maradona can rival Pele for footballing fame. He almost single-handedly led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup and then, four years later, took them to the final where they lost in a drab match to Germany. Maradona also played in the 1982 World Cup and the 1994 World Cup, where he was sent home in disgrace, having failed a drugs test.

- Just Fontaine, of France, holds the record for most goals in a single World Cup competition. He scored thirteen in the 1958 finals in Sweden.

- Ronaldo, of Brazil, holds the record for most goals in World Cup finals. His tally of fifteen was achieved across the 1998, 2002 and 2006 tournaments. He was also an unused member of Brazil's successful squad in 1994, when aged just seventeen.

Team Achievements:

- Brazil hold the record

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