What Came First: Football or Soccer?

By Sarah Miller · March 6, 2032

Football came first in historical terms, with early forms of the game dating back to ancient civilizations; what we now call soccer evolved from these early football games in 19th-century England.

The Origins of Football and Soccer

The term "football" originally referred to a variety of traditional ball games played on foot in medieval Europe. These early games had no standardized rules and were often chaotic, community-wide events. What we now distinguish as American football and association football (soccer) both trace their roots to these informal English games.

Key Historical Milestones

Ancient civilizations like China (cuju), Greece (episkyros), and Rome (harpastum) played ball games resembling football as early as the 3rd century BCE.
Medieval English football games were played between villages with hundreds of players and few rules.
American football developed later, branching off rugby in the late 19th century, particularly through the efforts of Walter Camp at Yale University.

How Soccer Emerged from Early Football

As different versions of football spread across England's schools and towns, disagreements over rules—especially handling the ball and physical contact—led to a split. In 1863, representatives from various clubs met in London to standardize the game.

The Birth of Association Football

This meeting led to the creation of the Football Association (FA), which established a code that banned handling the ball and hacking (kicking opponents). This version became known as "association football," later shortened to "soccer." The term "soccer" itself is derived from "assoc" (short for association) and was actually coined by British public school students in the 1880s.

American Football: A Later Evolution

While soccer was being formalized in England, North American universities began adapting their own versions of football. By the 1870s, Harvard, Yale, and other colleges played a mix of rugby and soccer rules.

Walter Camp and Rule Innovations

Walter Camp, known as the "Father of American Football," introduced key changes in the 1880s, including the line of scrimmage, the snap, and the system of downs. These innovations differentiated American football from both rugby and soccer, creating a distinct sport by the early 20th century.

Sport	Earliest Known Form	First Official Rules	Modern Governing Body Founded
Football (early forms)	3rd century BCE (cuju, China)	12th–14th century CE (medieval England)	N/A
Association Football (Soccer)	12th century CE (England)	1863 (Football Association, England)	FIFA – 1904
American Football	1870s (U.S. colleges)	1880 (Walter Camp's rules)	NFL – 1920

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table shows that while early forms of football predate recorded history, modern soccer was codified decades before American football. FIFA’s founding in 1904 reflects soccer’s rapid global spread, while the NFL’s formation in 1920 marks the professionalization of American football much later.

Global Spread and Cultural Impact

Soccer quickly gained international popularity due to British colonialism, trade, and missionary work. By contrast, American football remained largely confined to the United States, with limited global reach despite NFL efforts to expand internationally.

Why the Name "Soccer"?

In Britain, "soccer" was commonly used until the mid-20th century to differentiate association football from rugby football. As association football became dominant in the UK, "football" became the preferred term, and "soccer" was increasingly seen as an Americanism—even though it originated in England.

Frequently Asked Questions About Football vs Soccer

Did football or soccer come first historically?

Football came first. Early forms of football date back to ancient China, Greece, and Rome, long before soccer was formalized in 19th-century England.

Why do Americans call it soccer instead of football?

Americans use "soccer" to distinguish association football from American football, which became the dominant "football" in the U.S. The term "soccer" itself originated in England as slang for "association football."

Is soccer older than American football?

Yes, soccer is older. Modern soccer was codified in 1863, while American football evolved in the 1870s and 1880s from rugby and soccer influences.

When was the first official soccer match played?

The first official soccer match under Football Association rules was played in 1863 between Barnes and Richmond in London, ending in a 0–0 draw.

Why isn’t American football called football if soccer came first?

Naming conventions are region-specific. In the U.S., "football" refers to the dominant gridiron sport. The term "football" has been applied to many sports played on foot, so context determines meaning.