Australian rules football began its evolution in Melbourne, Australia about 1858. The origins of Australian football before 1858 are still the subject of much debate, as there were a multitude of football games in Britain, Europe, Ireland and Australia whose rules influenced the early football games played in Melbourne. In the 1990s, the VFL became the Australian Football League, a national body and the premier league in Australia, and was established as the de facto world governing body for the sport.