Editorials

Origins - Cuju in China

The Chinese ball game Cuju was played in a wide variety of forms and locations for almost 2,000 years. Cuju changed and developed over time, its development being spurred by technological developments and cultural changes.

Origins - Greco-Roman ball games

Greece and Rome set new standards for organized sport, giving the world the Olympic Games and gladiatorial contests. Ball sports were relegated to the margins in these heroic times, but there is plenty of evidence that they were a part of everyday life.

Origins - Meso-American ball games

The history of ball games in Meso-America. Such games were fundamental for the political, social and ritual life of the communities and empires in that region.

Origins - Kemari

Kemari is a highly ritualised game indigenous to Japan that has been played for over a millennium. The game of kemari enjoyed a high social status, the legacy of which is a historical record that has been passed down through the centuries.

China PR 1991 - The first FIFA Women's World Cup

30 years ago in 1991 the first Women's World Cup organised by FIFA kicked-off in China PR. Matches lasted 80 minutes, and the first goal was scored by the hosts’ Ma Li. Discover the fascinating story of this historic tournament in our first editorial.

Uruguay 1930 - The first FIFA World Cup

FIFA’s plans for a world championship outside the confines of the Olympic Games came to fruition in 1930. Uruguay was chosen as the host nation in honour of its centenary celebrations and the Olympic gold medals of 1924 and 1928, but only four European nations made the journey by ship to South America. In the newly built Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay won the first World Cup by beating Argentina 4-2 in the Final.

10th FIFA Congress, Copenhagen 1913. Group picture.

1904 - The Foundation of FIFA

The founders may have dreamed about it, but when FIFA was founded in 1904 nobody could have imagined the role the association would play in the sporting world in the future. The foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association took place on 21 May 1904 at 229 rue Saint-Honoré, the headquarters of the Union of French Athletic Sports Societies in Paris.