Cuju: The Ancient Chinese Soccer

Long before modern soccer, ancient China had its own ball game called cuju (literally “kick the ball”). Dating back over 2,300 years to the Warring States period, cuju was played by soldiers and nobles alike, much like how football began as a military training exercise in medieval Europe.

Players kicked a leather ball filled with hair or feathers through an opening into a net—similar to trying to score in basketball but using feet only. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), cuju became hugely popular; emperors even held matches for entertainment.

However, after the Tang and Song dynasties, interest faded as new pastimes emerged. By the Ming Dynasty, cuju was mostly a memory, though it inspired later ball games. In 2004, FIFA recognized cuju as the earliest form of football, giving China a proud spot in global sports history. For anyone curious about Chinese culture, cuju is a fun example of how ancient traditions can connect to today’s world.