Football is more than a game. It’s a passion. It’s a universal language and it’s deep rooted in communities.

It involves people, players, and enormous amounts of money travelling around the world. We’re standing here inside the National Football Museum of Scotland at Hampden park in the city of Glasgow. Not far from here in 1872, the world’s first international official football match took place between Scotland and England. Other countries, such as China, also have an important part to play and say in the history of world football.

Uruguay in 1930 won the very first FIFA World Cup. Wherever you have come from, we will introduce you to key aspects of the global game of football. Where did this come from and where it is going. We have brought together a team of experts from the University, from football, from different stakeholders, who will help to give you a behind the scenes look at the greatest game in the world today. My name is Professor Grant Jarvie. I’m here to warmly welcome you to this course. I’m really excited about working with you as we explore the wonderful and complicated game of football.