Modern football was officially born in London in 1863 through the formation of the Football Association.

Prior to 1863, every English public school (such as Rugby, Eton, Harrow, and Charterhouse) played by its own unique, unwritten rules, making inter-school matches nearly impossible. On October 26, 1863, representatives from eleven London schools and clubs met at the Freemasons' Tavern in Covent Garden to establish a single, unified set of rules. This meeting led to the founding of The Football Association (The FA). Over several meetings, they hammered out the 'Cambridge Rules,' notably outlawing the carrying of the ball and 'hacking' (kicking opponents in the shins). This decisive split separated Association Football (soccer) from Rugby football, laying the foundation for the global game.