Football like games have been found to be played as early as the second and third centuries B.C. English public schools are largely responsible for bringing the sport to where it stands today. Football, earlier considered to be a violent sport, became an organised team game by these schools and by one Richard Mulcaster, a principal of one such school in the 16th century. The efforts of these schools helped it become regulated and committed.

The first set of rules were written at Eton College in 1815. The Cambridge Rules devised at the Cambridge University in 1848 have had a vast affect on the present game. However, the rules were not adopted by all concerned. The first absolute set of rules came into being when The Football Association was formed in 1863. But a few clubs, such as Blackheath withdrew from the FA as some of the rules proposed by them were rejected. These included running with the ball in hand and impeding the same by hacking, tripping and holding. This development led to the formation of the Rugby Football Union. The remaining clubs signed the original thirteen laws previously decided previously decided upon. The International Football Association Board formed in 1886 currently administers the laws of the game.

The first official international was played between Scotland and England in 1872. The international governing body of football, FIFA was formed in Paris in 1904. Football's popularity grew by leaps and bounds, hence a few of it's representatives were admitted to the IFAB in 1913. Today, the IFAB consists of four FIFA members. However,the laws of the game are regulated by the IFAB and not FIFA.

The All India Football Federation governs the game in India. It was founded in 1937 and secured FIFA affiliation in 1948. Football in the country picked up during the British rule. Football clubs came up in a big way. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, the most renowned club in India, is considered to be the oldest club in Asia. It hogged limelight in 1911 when it won the IFA Shield becoming the first Indian team to win the tournament. The Indian national team reached the 1950 World Cup finals in Brazil. However, one fact not known to many is that they could not appear as they did not wear shoes while playing. The Indian team also won golds at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games. The team finished fourth at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Today, football is the most popular sport in the world and is played in more than 200 countries. It's popularity can be attributed to it's mass appeal and the minimal objects needed to play the game.