Soccer began, as early as 475 B.C., as a way to train soldiers.
When soccer tournaments such as the World Cup take over the global stage, few realize that the earliest form of this beloved sport originated not in Europe, but in ancient China.
Since at least 2004, FIFA has recognized Tsu'Chu, a competitive ball game dating back over 2,000 years, as the earliest known form of soccer.
The Origin of Tsu'Chu
Tsu'Chu is documented in classical texts such as “Strategies of the Warring States” and “Records of the Grand Historian,” both referencing its popularity in Linzi, the capital of the Qi state during the Warring States period (circa 475 B.C.–221 B.C.).
