National Soccer Day

A group of diverse children joyfully playing soccer in a park, wearing colorful jerseys and shorts, under a sunny sky.. — National soccer day illustration

If ever there's a day to celebrate the wonderful magic of the 'Beautiful Game', it's National Soccer Day. Grab your team jerseys, your cleats, and bring on your best victory dance, because we're diving headfirst into the wonderful world of soccer! Kicking around since 28th July 2016, this is a national day that certainly knows how to score a goal in our hearts!

When is Soccer Day?

It's national soccer day on the 28th July.

The Glory of the Game

With over 2295 mentions online, it's clear that National Soccer Day has been making waves across the net. A day that's cherished by both football enthusiasts and casual fans alike for its spirit of camaraderie, fun and utterly brilliant moments of athleticism. From kids perfecting their goal celebrations in the back garden to pros donning their nation's colours at the World Cup, there's a shared bond that unites us all, a mutual love for the exciting thrills soccer brings.

Victory Since its Debut

And like a winning goal in the 90th minute, National Soccer Day sneaked up on us and nailed it! Making its grand debut on 28th July, 2016, we've seen this National Day kick from strength to strength, showered in a rain of accolades much like a golden boot winner. The year 2016 was a waving flag for the day, marking the most mentions of National Soccer Day online, an echo of cheers that hasn't really slowed down since.

A Pass From Our Hearts

No foul plays here, just genuine appreciation for the sport we love. So in the spirit of the game, let's keep our eyes on the ball, cheering our favourite teams and shunning the idea of offsides, except of course, when they're going against us! After all, National Soccer Day is a day to put rivalries aside and remember why we fell in love with the game - for its energy, its passion, its capacity to unite people from all walks of life.

History behind the term 'Soccer'

1863

The Birth of Association Football

In 1863, the English Football Association was founded, and the game now known as soccer began to take shape. The term 'soccer' originated from the shorter version of 'Association Football', which was commonly played at public schools in England.

1889

Oxford - Cambridge Derivation

During the late 19th century, 'soccer' started to differentiate itself from 'rugby football.' At this time, students from the University of Oxford referred to 'Association Football' as 'soccer' to distinguish it from 'Rugby Football.' In turn, 'soccer' became synonymous with Association Football in the English-speaking world.

1904

FIFA's Adoption of the Term

In 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was established, becoming the international governing body for the sport. FIFA started using the term 'soccer' as an official designation, further solidifying its usage worldwide and establishing the term as the most widely recognized word for football in numerous English-speaking countries.

1980s

Differentiating from American Football

During the 1980s, 'soccer' gained prominence in the United States as it differentiated the sport from American football. The term was mainly used to distinguish 'Association Football' from 'American Football' to prevent confusion between the two sports, especially within the American context.

Present

Global Usage

Today, 'soccer' is widely used worldwide to refer to the sport of football in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Africa and Asia. While some countries primarily use the term 'football,' 'soccer' stands as a strong testament to the cultural impact of the sport and its historical origins.

Did you know?

Did you know that the term 'soccer' originated in England to distinguish the game from Rugby Football, and it's a shortening of 'Assoc', from 'Association Football' - the official name for the sport! Talk about getting kicked by etymology!