Time Frame

• While early forms like the game played in China bear a passing resemblance to the game of today, the first standardized soccer rules came about in 1863.
  
  

Game Length

• The match between London and Sheffield in 1866 was the first match that agreed to play for 90 minutes, the match length still used in the modern game.
  
  

FIFA

• The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is the international body that oversees competitions between national teams and organizes the World Cup tournament. FIFA was founded in Paris in 1904.
  
  

The World Cup

• The first World Cup was played in 1930 in Uruguay, with the hosts winning the tournament by beating Argentina.
  
  

Professional Soccer

• Professional soccer began in 1931 in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, and quickly spread throughout the world.