Journey Through Football History and Evolution

Football's roots trace back over 2,000 years to ancient China, Greece, and parts of Central America. The game was originally more violent and free-form, with fewer rules and a more mob-like atmosphere.

The term 'soccer' originated from an abbreviation of 'association football', coined in Britain. Over time, 'football' referred to the dominant code of football in a culture, leading to American football, rugby football, and association football.

The inaugural FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. The host country won, making history. Since then, the World Cup has become the most widely viewed and followed sporting event globally, surpassing the Olympics.

Introduced by Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman in the 1920s, the 'W-M' formation revolutionized football tactics. It implemented a three-man defense, a four-man midfield in a 'W', and a three-man attack in an 'M', changing the game's dynamics.

Football has its own 'fair play' etiquette. For instance, players are expected to kick the ball out of play if an opponent is injured, and the opposition typically return it after the injured player is treated.

The world transfer record has been broken multiple times, but Neymar's move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 for €222 million remains the highest. These astronomical figures reflect football's huge economic impact globally.

The 'double hat-trick' is an incredibly rare score in football, where a player scores six goals in a game. It's a feat that has been accomplished only a handful of times in professional football history.

The FIFA World Cup trophy was once stolen in 1966 and found by a dog named Pickles in a garden.