Football has a rich history that spans over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest sports ever invented. Originations is believed to have taken place in Greece, Rome and various areas throughout Central America – knowing its long history makes for fascinating trivia! For any fanatic interested in the game, knowing some fascinating football facts can be both informative and exciting!
The English documented the first set of regulations for the game that has become the version we know today.
Allow us to explore this list of incredible facts about football, which has an incredible and long history.
1. Brazil’s Number 1 Professional Football Fan
Claudio Riberio has long held the distinction of being Brazil’s most dedicated football enthusiast since 1978’s FIFA World Cup in France. Since then, he has attended each and every World Cup – attending 11 overall including 2014 World Cup held right here at home!
2. Who Call It Soccer?
Who Calls It Soccer? Soccer and football are enjoyed around the globe; with two exceptions being the United States and Canada. When talking about “football” in America, people usually refer to American Football whereas Canada calls its version Canadian Football.
3. We Have Been Saying It All Wrong!
As is widely recognized, the area used for playing football is commonly known as a “pitch”, rather than the field. This term was first popularised in “The Soccer Book: The Sport, Teams, Tactics, Cup”. Later it began being utilized across other sports as it gained acceptance for use within them.
4. The Only Footballers To Have Scored Goals In Every Minute Of The Game
Goalscoring in the early part of a soccer match can be difficult, since goals come more readily in later stages. A typical soccer game consists of two 45-minute periods lasting 90 minutes each; only Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have managed this incredible achievement so far.
5. The Invention Of Football
Many are amazed to learn that one of the world’s most beloved and watched sports had its origin in Asia – particularly China which does not even rank within the top 70 for FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Reportedly, Cuju was first created there back in 476 BC.
6. Highest Scoring Game Ever
As a show of their displeasure at an earlier ruling by a referee, SO l’Emyrne intentionally allowed A S Adema to win by scoring 149 of their own goals; eventually losing by that margin 149-0 in order to vent their fury at what they saw as unfairness of his rulings.
7. The Match That Brought Ronaldinho Into Limelight
Ronaldinho, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers ever, hails from Brazil and achieved remarkable success as an amateur athlete. When he was 13 years old, his team triumphed by an amazing 23-0 score against another one!
8. Most Goals By A Goalkeeper
Rogerio Ceni, a Brazilian soccer player, stands head and shoulders above every other player when it comes to total goals scored – an astounding gap which stands in stark contrast.
9. Longest Unbeaten Streak Every Recorded
Athletics offer various degrees of success, with one of the most illustrious achievements being winning an entire championship without suffering one single defeat. One soccer team managed this feat between 1986 and 1989.
10. Average Distance Covered By A Footballer
Football is widely recognized as one of the most challenging sports. A typical match will require most footballers, except goalkeepers, to cover an estimated distance of 7 miles (11.2 kilometers). Furthermore, half-time rest periods only last 15 minutes without additional stoppage time considerations.
11. Same Size Of The Ball
People were amazed to discover that football has remained almost exactly the same for over one and a half centuries, meaning its circumference remains 28 inches without being altered significantly in form or appearance.
12. Fastest Goal Scored In Football
Lionel Messi stands as an outstanding testament to Argentinians’ unparalleled goal-scoring prowess. On December 26, 1998 – just days after Christmas – Ricardo Olivera scored in an amazing 2.8 seconds, an unprecedented football feat!
13. Pele The Legend
At only 11 years old, Pele was recognized by scouts and began professional soccer at 16. Two years later he made his FIFA World Cup debut and scored six goals which helped Brazil claim its inaugural championship title.
14. Most Red Cards In A Match
An extraordinary incident of football occurred in Argentina’s fifth division in 2011, where longtime rival teams, Claypole and Victoriano Arenas, met head-on. Two players from each side were sent off before half time resulting in unanticipated events unfolding that led to unexpected red cards being shown throughout the match.
15. World’s Most Watched Sports Tournament
The 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament hosted in Russia garnered an estimated global viewership of 3.572 billion people – roughly half of all people globally tuned in! It became the most watched sporting event on earth and remains unrivaled today.
16. Change Your Shirt
Nowadays there are no uniform color restrictions for football players compared to what was done previously (Leckey & Leclercq 2012, p. 287); this rule was later dropped due to difficulty distinguishing goalkeepers from other players when corners were taken (Leckey & Leclercq 2012, p. 287).
17. Football Club With Most Letters
NAC Breda from the Netherlands holds the distinction of possessing one of the longest names among football clubs with its name comprising of an incredible 83 letters! NAC stands for Never Give Up Always Persevere Pleasant By Entertainment And Relaxation Combination Breda which was established back in 1916 – truly making them unique within the world of football! If you’re curious about some wacky facts surrounding soccer, keep this one in mind as this club stands as an eye-opener!
18. First Live Telecast Of A Football Match
In 1937, the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) broadcast the very first live football match. Soon after introducing television services in Britain, they covered an Arsenal versus Arsenal Reserves matchup at Highbury Stadium.
19. The Largest Football Tournament
In 1999, a Bangkok League Seven-a-Side Competition attracted 35,000 participants – one of the world’s most iconic football facts!
20. Most Goals In World Cup
Miroslav Klose currently holds the record for most goals scored at World Cup tournaments with 33.
21. Who Came Up With The Name “Soccer”?
It is true that soccer was first coined in England; however, its usage has since been discontinued over 35 years ago. You must decide who is at fault for creating confusion between football and soccer in North America.
22. Playing Two Matches In A Single Day
Football has become an immensely lucrative sport over time. While players typically receive four to five days off between games, when their match schedule becomes particularly strenuous they still find time for mental and physical recuperation for two days off each week.
23. Dominated By Europe
All but Two Tournaments Are Represented Since 1930, most FIFA World Cup finals have featured European teams as champions; two exceptions being Uruguay from South America beating Argentina 4-2.
24. First Balck Football Player
Arthur Wharton may or may not have been the first black player in England or worldwide to play professional and Football League matches professionally as a goalkeeper for nine different clubs, including Sheffield FC (which holds claim as being the oldest club worldwide).
25. How Many Countries Have Won The World Cup?
Ninety years ago, the inaugural World Cup tournament was hosted. Unfortunately, due to World War II events being canceled every four years during these early tournaments.
26. The Home Of Current Generation Footballs
Pakistan is an incredible source of footballs in the world – producing roughly two thirds. This fact alone should make you marvel at this incredible sport; one would imagine that sophisticated ballmakers produce them somewhere like China; however, most are actually being made in Pakistan!
27. Most Watched Sporting Event Finale
1.12 billion people watched the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia either through television viewing or internet. If public places viewing were also counted, that figure would only grow further.
28. World’s Most Popular Sports
In June 2018, it was estimated that global population stood at approximately 7.5 billion individuals. A survey conducted by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in 2001 demonstrated that 2.4 billion individuals across all continents regularly played football.
29. Most Goals Scored By A Single Player In An Official Match
Stephan Stanis’ remarkable feat of scoring 16 goals for Racing Club de Lens within one month since 1942 remains unparalleled by any other player.
30. Most Expensive Transfer Fees Ever Paid
Neymar holds the record as being one of the most expensive players ever seen on an football pitch, making him an impressive statistic in this regard.
31. World’s Most Played Sport
Of the 210 countries registered with FIFA that play football, only 100 have official basketball leagues or national teams organized within them. Basketball can be found being played across 195 nations but only 100 of those have established leagues or teams to support it.
32. Player Transfer Fees Paid In Footballs
Fascinatingly, Angel Di Maria of Argentina’s premier football club Boca Juniors was traded between two local football clubs for 35 footballs as a trade compensation.
33. The Only Football Team Brazil Never Defeated
Undoubtedly, Brazil is considered to be one of the greatest footballing nations ever; however, Norway stands alone as being unbeaten against them so far in four meetings between them and Norway; scoring two victories and two draws out of those four contests.
34. First Ever International Football Match
On November 30th 1872, England and Scotland staged the inaugural FIFA-recognized football game, drawing over 4,000 spectators who witnessed it before it ended up as a tie without any clear score being established.
35. Longest Penalty Shootout
When KK Palace and Civics competed in the Namibian Cup of 2005, it took 48 penalty kicks before a winner could be determined; this exceptional feat has since been recorded by Guinness World Records.
36. Oldest Professional Foot ball Player
Footballers commonly believe that physical and mental stamina are crucial elements to be successful; goalkeepers tend to occupy one of the longest positions on the pitch; however, there are players able to exceed this perception through skillful performance.
37. Biggest Football Stadium
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium located in Pyongyang, North Korea is currently the world’s largest football arena with the capacity to hold more than one million people at any one time – although some reports claim that number is closer to 1.5 million than 1 million!
38. Oldest Football Club In The World
On October 24th 1857, Sheffield Football Club (or “Sheffield F.C.” for short) was founded and is still functioning after 163 years!
39. Significance Of A Football
On December 21, 1891, the inaugural basketball game played with a soccer ball was held. Did you know this fascinating fact about soccer? Let us know your views in the comments about its significance.
40. Asteroids Named After Football Players
An impressive feat has been accomplished, as five soccer players now have asteroids named after them. Here is their roster.
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