Interesting Facts About China

The Origins of Soccer

While the English are credited with establishing the version of soccer that we know today, this sport’s origins can be traced back thousands of years to Ancient China. The Chinese used to play a sport similar to soccer called Cuju, which translates to “kick the ball with foot”.

This game was particularly popular during the rule of the Han Dynasty, when the ball was made of a leather skin exterior and a feather-stuffed interior. While it originated as a form of exercise for soldiers in the army, its popularity soon spread to the upper class even eventually to members of the royal household. Eventually, Cuju was even played at the Imperial Palace, where a court was built that featured six crescent shaped goal posts on either side.