The first set of rules were developed by the London Football Association in 1863.

In 1908, soccer was made an Olympic event.

Soccer is the world's MOST popular team sport.

Penalties against an opposing team are pushing, tripping, holding, striking, intentional kicking, and charging from behind.

Johan Cruyff became the European Footballer of the year three times.

AC Milan set an Italian record for playing the most games without loosing. They were unbeaten for 58 games!

The oldest club in Scottish football is Queens Park.

Real Madrid holds the record for winning the European Cup 5 consecutive times.

Majed Abdullah, from Saudi Arabia, was the most capped player in the world ever.

Uruguay won the first World Cup in 1930?

France and Brazil automatically qualified for France '98.

Tunisia, Romania and Colombia were the three teams in Engalnds France '98 group.

Jamacia is nicknamed the 'Regaa Boyz'.

Alf Ramsy was England's manager in 1966 when England won the World Cup.

Norman Whiteside was the youngest player ever to play in a World Cup.

Mexico was the first country to host two World Cups.

Juventus won the European Cup in 1996.

Spain needed an 11 goal margin from their final qualifier of the 1984 European Championship - and got it scoring nine second half-goals against Malta.

Red and yellow cards first used in the 1970 World Cup.

Argentina's most successful team is River Plate.

Bayern Munich won the UEFA Cup in 1996, against Bordeaux (5-1).

East Germany first appeared in the World Cup finals in 1974 .

Ryan Green was the youngest player to play for Wales at 17yrs 226 days in 1998 against Malta

Just days before the World Cup of 1966 the trophy was stolen and then later retrieved by a dog!

Silvinho won his first cap when Wales played Brazil in Cardiff in May 2000.