Rules of the Game: A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
Soccer has its roots in ancient games like Cuju, which was popular in China around 400 BC.
Each FIFA World Cup since 1966 has its own mascot, starting with World Cup Willie (a lion).
The first appearance of organized women's soccer in the US may have been in 1922, when a team sponsored by English company Dick, Kerr toured the country -and beat several top men's teams.
FC Barcelona donates more than $1 million a year to UNICEF and wears the humanitarian organization's logo on its jersey.