The game had essentially spread over the world by the end of the century. The foundation of
FIFA
in 1904, which became the sport's global authority, boosted its rise.
The World Cup, which began in 1930 and has since become football's pinnacle event, was formed as a result of
FIFA's
efforts. Europe and South America have dominated the quadrennial event, with
Brazil winning the most championships with five.
Pelé, the sport's first superstar, was a member of three of its
World Cup-winning teams. The first women's World Cup was held in 1991, and the
United States won three of the first seven events.
Men's football made its Olympic debut in Paris in 1900, where
Great Britain won the first gold medal, and has been competed ever since except for the
1932 Games in Los Angeles, when the event was dropped from the schedule due to a dispute between the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA
over amateur regulations.
The initial prohibition on professional players had some unexpected consequences.
Hungary is the most successful country in the men's event, winning five medals,
three of which are gold. Brazil, on the other side, has never won a
World Cup match. Professional players have been allowed to compete in the
Olympics since the 1992 Games in Barcelona.
Despite a 23-year-old age limit, each squad is allowed three
'over-age' players. Despite the rule adjustment, many countries are still compelled to compete without their top athletes.
