Many believe that football has been played for over two thousand years, making it one of the oldest sports still in existence. The game is thought to have originated in Greece, Rome, and parts of Central America. Football enthusiasts are always eager to discover fascinating facts about this long-standing sport. England was the first to establish a set of rules, shaping it into the version we recognize today. Here are some incredible facts about this sport with a rich history.
1) First Ever International Football Match
On November 30, 1872, the first football match recognized by FIFA took place between England and Scotland. Despite having 4,000 spectators, the game ended in a draw with no points scored.
2) Longest Unbeaten Streak Every Recorded
In soccer, a team reached an extraordinary level of success between 1986 and 1989, remaining undefeated throughout that period. This achievement of going an entire season without a loss is considered one of the most prestigious accomplishments in the world of sports.
3) Most Goals By A Goalkeeper
Rogerio Ceni, a Brazilian soccer star, holds an unmatched record for the number of goals scored by a goalkeeper on the global stage. The difference between his tally and that of the next highest player is so vast that it’s truly astonishing.
4) Football Club With Most Letters
NAC Breda, a football club based in the Netherlands, holds the record for the longest name in football, consisting of an impressive 83 letters. The name is an acronym for “Never Give Up Always Persevere Pleasant By Entertainment And Useful By Relaxation Combination Breda,” which was established in 1916. This unique title stands out in the world of football, making it a noteworthy fact for anyone interested in the sport!
5) The Largest Football Tournament
In 1999, the Bangkok League hosted a Seven-a-Side Competition featuring an impressive 35,000 players, which is now regarded as one of the most remarkable football records in the world.
6) How Many Countries Have Won The World Cup?
Ninety years ago, the first-ever World Cup tournament took place in 1930. Due to World War II, the tournaments scheduled for 1942 and 1946 were canceled, marking the only break in the four-year cycle of the event.
7) Playing Two Matches In A Single Day
In recent years, football has turned into a highly profitable endeavor. Although current players typically have four or five days of rest between matches, they can still take a two-day break—both mentally and physically—when their schedule becomes overwhelming.
8) Average Distance Covered By A Footballer
Many believe that football is a demanding sport to play. With the exception of goalkeepers, most players cover about 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) during a match. Additionally, they receive only a 15-minute break in the middle of the game, not including any extra stoppage time.
9) Significance Of A Football
On December 21, 1891, the very first basketball game was played using a soccer ball. Did you know this intriguing bit of soccer history? Share your thoughts on the significance of soccer in the comments!
10) World’s Most Watched Sports Tournament
It is estimated that the 2018 World Cup held in Russia was watched by 3.572 billion people, roughly half of the world’s population. This tournament is recognized as having the highest viewership of any sporting event on the planet.
11) Change Your Shirt
Today, footballers are not required to follow a specific dress code, but this was not always the case (Leckey and Leclercq, 2012, p. 280). The regulation was removed because it became difficult to distinguish the goalkeeper from the rest of the team during corner kicks (Leckey and Leclercq, 2012, p. 280).
12) World’s Most Played Sport
FIFA, which is registered with 210 countries, has only 100 of them with their own basketball leagues or national teams. Although basketball is played in 195 countries, only 100 have established leagues or teams.
13) The Only Footballers To Have Scored Goals In Every Minute Of The Game
Soccer matches usually consist of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, for a total of 90 minutes. Scoring goals is generally more challenging in the early stages of the game than in the later stages. Only two players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have accomplished the remarkable feat of scoring in the first half.
14) Most Goals Scored By A Single Player In An Official Match
Stephan Stanis has maintained an unmatched record since 1942, scoring 16 goals in a single month for Racing Club de Lens—an achievement that no other player has been able to replicate.
15) Longest Penalty Shootout
When KK Palace and Civics clashed in the 2005 Namibian Cup, the match was so intense that it took 48 penalty kicks to determine a winner. This extraordinary event has been officially recorded in the Guinness World Records.
16) Dominated By Europe
Since the FIFA World Cup began in 1930, most championship matches have featured teams from Europe. The only exceptions were in the inaugural tournament, where Uruguay from South America triumphed over Argentina with a score of 4-2.
17) Oldest Football Club In The World
On 24th October 1857, Sheffield Football Club – usually referred to as Sheffield F.C. – was established, making it the oldest operational football club on the planet. It has continued to operate for the past 163 years
18) Most Expensive Transfer Fees Ever Paid
It’s astonishing to see the enormous sums that soccer clubs spend to acquire new players, reflecting the sport’s profitability. One of the most notable facts in football is that Neymar holds the title of the most expensive athlete in the sport.
19) The Home Of Current Generation Footballs
It’s truly remarkable to learn that Pakistan is the source of nearly two-thirds of all the footballs in the world. This is undoubtedly one of the most surprising facts about the game. One might assume that the most advanced footballs are made in a highly industrialized city, but in reality, they are produced in Pakistan.
20) World’s Most Popular Sports
In the summer of 2018, the world population was estimated to be 7.5 billion people. According to a 2001 survey conducted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, 2.4 billion individuals around the globe regularly participated in football activities.
21) First Balck Football Player
The identity of the first African-American footballer to play in professional football and Football League games remains uncertain. Arthur Wharton, a goalkeeper, played for nine teams, with Sheffield FC being the oldest club in the world.
22) Most Goals In World Cup
Being part of a squad that competes in the World Cup is a tremendous honor, but it’s even more commendable to be the player who scores the most goals. Currently, Miroslav Klose from Germany holds the record for the most goals scored in World Cup tournaments.
23) Asteroids Named After Football Players
It is a remarkable achievement for five soccer players to have celestial bodies in the form of asteroids named after them. The names of those five players are listed below:
24) First Live Telecast Of A Football Match
In 1937, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired the first live soccer match. This occurred shortly after they began offering television services, featuring a game between Arsenal and Arsenal Reserves at Highbury Stadium.
25) The Match That Brought Ronaldinho Into Limelight
Ronaldinho, regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, hails from Brazil and achieved remarkable success in the sport. At just 13 years old, his team recorded an astonishing victory, winning a match with a score of 23-0.
26) The Invention Of Football
Many people might be surprised to learn that the most celebrated and widely viewed sport in the world has its origins in Asia, specifically in China, where the men’s team is not even ranked in the top 70 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The sport, believed to have been named “Cuju,” dates back to 476 BC in China.
27) Most Watched Sporting Event Finale
An astonishing 1.12 billion people watched the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia, both on television and online. If viewers in public spaces were included, the total number would be even higher.
28) Who Came Up With The Name “Soccer”?
It is well known that the term “soccer” originated in England, but it hasn’t been used there in over 35 years. Consequently, it’s up to you to decide who is responsible for the confusion between football and soccer in the US and Canada.
29) Same Size Of The Ball
People were astonished to discover that the football has not changed at all in the last 150 years. This means that its circumference remains consistent at 28 inches, and its design has remained unaltered.
30) Brazil’s Number 1 Professional Football Fan
Since the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Claudio Ribeiro has gained recognition as Brazil’s most devoted football fan. He has attended every World Cup since then, amassing a total of 11 tournaments, including the one held in Brazil in 2014.
31) Oldest Professional Football Player
It is often believed that football requires significant physical and mental strength, with the goalkeeper spending the most time on the field. However, some players challenge this notion by showcasing their exceptional skills.
32) Fastest Goal Scored In Football
Lionel Messi is a prime example of Argentina’s goal-scoring prowess. On December 26, 1998, shortly after the holiday season, Ricardo Olivera achieved an incredible feat by scoring a goal in just 2.8 seconds, marking a remarkable moment in football history.
33) Pele The Legend
At just 11 years old, Pele’s talent was recognized by scouts, and he began playing professional soccer at the age of 16. When he turned 17 in 1958, he participated in his first FIFA World Cup, scoring six goals and playing a crucial role in Brazil’s first-ever championship win.
34) We Have Been Saying It All Wrong!
The term “pitch” for a football playing surface has become standard, as documented in “The Soccer Book: The Sport, The Teams, The Tactics, The Cup.” This terminology was subsequently adopted by other sports and used in their respective contexts.
35) Biggest Football Stadium
Located in Pyongyang, North Korea, the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is often claimed to be the largest football stadium in the world, with a capacity of over one million spectators. While some sources suggest it can accommodate up to 1.5 million people, the actual capacity is just slightly more than one million.
36) Who Call It Soccer?
Soccer and football enjoy global popularity, with the notable exceptions of the United States and Canada. In the US, “football” typically refers to American football, which is immensely popular. Meanwhile, Canada has its own version of the sport, called Canadian football.
37) Highest Scoring Game Ever
As a sign of dissent, SO l’Emyrne deliberately let A S Adema win the match by scoring 149 of their own goals and ultimately lost the game 149 – 0 in order to express their indignation at a past ruling by the referee.
38) Most Red Cards In A Match
An incredible incident in Argentine fifth division football occurred in 2011 when two long-time rival teams, Claypole and Victoriano Arenas, faced each other. The match saw two players ejected before halftime, setting off a series of unexpected events.
39) The Only Football Team Brazil Never Defeated
It is indisputable that Brazil is known as the premier football nation in the world, but Norway is the only country who has never been defeated by them. In all four matches, Norway has achieved two wins and two draws.
40) Player Transfer Fees Paid In Footballs
It’s fascinating to learn that the renowned Argentine soccer star Angel Di Maria was transferred between two Argentine teams for the equivalent of 35 soccer balls.
