Englishman Ebenezer Cobb Morley is credited as the “Father of Soccer.” Despite this, Morley did not invent the sport.

The origins of the sport are fiercely debated, but most people tend to agree on where soccer or football was invented — Great Britain. There had been previous variations, but it was in Britain that it turned into what it is today. The British made it into an organized team sport, brought in referees, and added rules.

The Chinese were the first to get their kicks by kicking balls into nets for sport in the third century B.C., and the game known globally as football was formalized in England in the 19th century. But the predecessor of most modern ball games can be found in the Americas. (See vintage pictures of soccer players around the world.)