Discover 40 Mind-Blowing Facts About Football That Will Leave You Speechless.

Table of Contents

Facts About Football boasts a vast history that dates back over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest sports ever invented. Originations is widely believed to have occurred in Greece, Rome and various areas throughout Central America – its long and rich past is sure to provide fascinating trivia! For any fan interested in this ancient game, knowing fascinating football facts can both inform and engage!

The English were responsible for creating the initial set of regulations for what has since become our modern-day version of cricket.

Let us explore this incredible list of facts about football, which has an incredible and long history.

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1. Brazil’s Number 1 Professional Football Fan

Brazil’s Number 1 Professional Football Fan
Brazil’s Number 1 Professional Football Fan

Claudio Riberio has long held the distinction of being Brazil’s most committed football fan since 1978’s FIFA World Cup in France. Since then, he has attended every World Cup – 11 overall including Brazil’s own 2014 edition!

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2. Who Call It Soccer?

Who Call It Soccer?
Who Call It Soccer?

Who Called It Soccer? Who Calls It Soccer? Soccer and football are enjoyed around the globe; two notable exceptions being in America and Canada where people refer to “football” by either its American or Canadian moniker.

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3. We Have Been Saying It All Wrong!

We Have Been Saying It All Wrong!
We Have Been Saying It All Wrong!

As is commonly understood, the area used for playing football is commonly referred to as a “pitch”, rather than the field. This term first gained recognition through “The Soccer Book: The Sport, Teams, Tactics, Cup”. Subsequently it gained acceptance for use across other sports as well.

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4. The Only Footballers To Have Scored Goals In Every Minute Of The Game

The Only Footballers To Have Scored Goals In Every Minute Of The Game
The Only Footballers To Have Scored Goals In Every Minute Of The Game

Early goalscoring can be difficult in soccer games; goals typically become easier later. A typical soccer match consists of two 45-minute periods lasting 90 minutes each; so far only Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have managed this incredible feat.

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5. The Invention Of Football

 The Invention Of Football
The Invention Of Football

Football was invented in Asia – particularly China which does not even make the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Cuju was apparently first developed there back in 476 BC.

6.  Highest Scoring Game Ever

Highest Scoring Game Ever
 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) so as to vent their fury at what they perceived to be unfairness in his rulings.

7. The Match That Brought Ronaldinho Into Limelight

The Match That Brought Ronaldinho Into Limelight
The Match That Brought Ronaldinho Into Limelight

Ronaldinho, widely considered one of the greatest footballers ever, hails from Brazil and achieved great success even as an amateur athlete. When he was 13 years old, his team defeated another one by an astonishing 23-0 margin!

8.  Most Goals By A Goalkeeper

 Most Goals By A Goalkeeper
 Most Goals By A Goalkeeper

Rogerio Ceni is an astounding Brazilian soccer player. With an astounding total goals scored record and an unrivaled goal-scoring streak that eclipses all others combined, Ceni stands head and shoulders above every other player on his field.

9. Longest Unbeaten Streak Every Recorded

Longest Unbeaten Streak Every Recorded
Longest Unbeaten Streak Every Recorded

Athletics offer various degrees of success, and one of the greatest feats ever accomplished in athletics was when one soccer team managed this incredible achievement between 1986 and 1989.

10.  Average Distance Covered By A Footballer

Average Distance Covered By A Footballer
 Average Distance Covered By A Footballer

Football is widely recognized as one of the most challenging sports, requiring most footballers, except goalkeepers, to cover an estimated distance of 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) during an average match. Furthermore, half-time rest periods only last 15 minutes without additional stoppage time considerations.

11. Same Size Of The Ball

Same Size Of The Ball
Same Size Of The Ball

People were amazed to discover that football has remained almost exactly the same size for more than 170 years, maintaining its 28 inch circumference without significant modifications in form or appearance.

12. Fastest Goal Scored In Football

Fastest Goal Scored In Football
Fastest Goal Scored In Football

Lionel Messi stands as an exceptional testament to Argentinians’ goal-scoring prowess. On December 26, 1998 – just days after Christmas! – Ricardo Olivera scored in an incredible 2.8 second goal-scoring feat!

13. Pele The Legend

Pele The Legend
Pele The Legend

. Pele, The Legend (at 11 years old). Scouts quickly recognized Pele as a talented soccer player and at 16, he began professional soccer career. Two years later he made his FIFA World Cup debut, scoring six goals to help Brazil take home its inaugural championship title.

14. Most Red Cards In A Match

Most Red Cards In A Match
Most Red Cards In A Match

Argentina’s fifth division witnessed an extraordinary incident of football in 2011, where long-standing rival teams Claypole and Victoriano Arenas clashed head on. Two players from each side were sent off before half time leading to unexpected red cards being shown throughout the match.

15. World’s Most Watched Sports Tournament

World’s Most Watched Sports Tournament
World’s Most Watched Sports Tournament

The 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia was watched by an estimated global viewership of 3.572 billion – roughly half of all people alive worldwide! It became the most watched sporting event ever and remains unmatched today.

16. Change Your Shirt

Change Your Shirt
 Change Your Shirt

Modern footballers no longer face uniform color restrictions (Leckey & Leclercq 2012, p. 287) as the rule was later abandoned due to difficulty distinguishing goalkeepers from other players during corners.

17. Football Club With Most Letters

Football Club With Most Letters
Football Club With Most Letters

NAC Breda from the Netherlands holds the distinction of possessing one of the longest names among football clubs with their name consisting 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 football! If you’re curious about quirky facts surrounding soccer, keep NAC Breda in mind for an eye-opener!

18. First Live Telecast Of A  Football Match

First Live Telecast Of A  Football Match
 First Live Telecast Of A  Football Match

In 1937, the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) broadcast the inaugural live football match ever covered on television in Britain – an Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves match at Highbury Stadium.

19. The Largest Football Tournament

The Largest Football Tournament
 The Largest Football Tournament

In 1999, a Bangkok League Seven-a-Side Competition attracted 35,000 players – one of the world’s most remarkable football facts!

20. Most Goals In World Cup

Most Goals In World Cup
Most Goals In World Cup

Miroslav Klose holds the record for most goals scored at World Cup tournaments with 33.

21. Who Came Up With The Name “Soccer”?

Who Came Up With The Name “Soccer”?
Who Came Up With The Name “Soccer”?

Soccer may have originated in England; however, its usage has since diminished over the course of over 35 years. You must determine who is at fault for creating confusion between football and soccer in North America.

22.  Playing Two Matches In A Single Day

Playing Two Matches In A Single Day
 Playing Two Matches In A Single Day

Football has become one of the world’s most profitable sports over time. While players typically receive four to five days between matches, when match schedules become particularly demanding they still find time for mental and physical relaxation with two days off each week.

23. Dominated By Europe

Dominated By Europe
Dominated By Europe

Predominated By Europe Since 1930, most FIFA World Cup finals have featured teams from Europe as champions; two exceptions being Uruguay’s 4-2 victory over Argentina from South America.

24. First Balck Football Player

First Balck Football Player
 First Balck Football Player

Arthur Wharton may or may not have been the first black player in England or worldwide to compete professionally as a goalkeeper for nine different clubs, including Sheffield FC (which holds claim as being the oldest club globally).

25. How Many Countries Have Won The World Cup?

How Many Countries Have Won The World Cup?
How Many Countries Have Won The World Cup?

Ninety years ago, the inaugural World Cup tournament took place. Unfortunately, due to World War II events were often cancelled every four years during these early tournaments.

26. The Home Of Current Generation Footballs

The Home Of Current Generation Footballs
The Home Of Current Generation Footballs

Pakistan is an incredible producer of footballs in the world – producing approximately two thirds! This fact should make you appreciate this sport even further; one would assume sophisticated ballmakers manufacture these globetrotting beauties somewhere like China; however, most are actually being manufactured right here in Pakistan!

27. Most Watched Sporting Event Finale

Most Watched Sporting Event Finale
Most Watched Sporting Event Finale

1.12 billion people watched the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia through television or internet viewing, or both; that number would likely grow even larger if public places viewing was included as well.

28. World’s Most Popular Sports

World’s Most Popular Sports
World’s Most Popular Sports

In June 2018, it was estimated that global population totalled an estimated 7.5 billion individuals. A survey conducted by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in 2001 demonstrated that approximately 2.4 billion individuals across all continents played football regularly.

29.  Most Goals Scored By A Single Player In An Official Match

Most Goals Scored By A Single Player In An Official Match
 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 unrivalled by any other player.

30. Most Expensive Transfer Fees Ever Paid

Most Expensive Transfer Fees Ever Paid
Most Expensive Transfer Fees Ever Paid

Neymar holds the distinction of being one of the most expensive players ever seen on an football pitch – making him an impressive statistic in this respect.

31. World’s Most Played Sport

World’s Most Played Sport
World’s Most Played Sport

World’s Most Played Sport Of the 210 countries registered with FIFA that play football, only 100 have established leagues or national teams dedicated to basketball within them. Basketball can be found being played across 195 nations; however, only 100 of those have established leagues or teams dedicated to its participation.

32. Player Transfer Fees Paid In Footballs

 Player Transfer Fees Paid In Footballs
Player Transfer Fees Paid In Footballs

An extraordinary twist occurred recently when Angel Di Maria of Boca Juniors in Argentina was traded between two local football clubs for 35 footballs as trade compensation.

33. The Only Football Team Brazil Never Defeated

The Only Football Team Brazil Never Defeated
The Only Football Team Brazil Never Defeated

Unquestionably, Brazil is considered to be one of the greatest footballing nations ever; yet Norway stands alone as being undefeated against them so far in four meetings; scoring two victories and two draws out of those four contests.

34. First Ever International Football Match

First Ever International Football Match
First Ever International Football Match

On November 30th 1872, England and Scotland hosted the inaugural FIFA-recognized football game, drawing over 4,000 spectators who witnessed it before it ended as a tie without any clear score being established.

35. Longest Penalty Shootout

Longest Penalty Shootout
Longest Penalty Shootout

Guinness World Records recognized this remarkable event; when KK Palace and Civics competed in the Namibian Cup of 2005, their penalty shootout took 48 penalty kicks before a winner could be determined; Guinness World Records recognized and documented it.

36. Oldest Professional Foot ball Player

Oldest Professional Foot ball Player
Oldest Professional Football Player

Footballers tend to think physical and mental stamina are integral parts of success; goalkeepers typically occupy one of the longest positions on the pitch. Yet some players can go beyond this belief through skillful performances that exceed this perception.

37. Biggest Football Stadium

Biggest Football Stadium
Biggest Football Stadium

Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea currently stands as the world’s largest football arena and can accommodate over one million people at one time – some reports even claim this figure may exceed 1.5 million!

38. Oldest Football Club In The World

Oldest Football Club In The World
Oldest Football Club In The World

On October 24th 1857, Sheffield Football Club (or “Sheffield F.C.” for short) was established – still going strong 163 years later!

39. Significance Of A Football

Significance Of A Football
Significance Of A Football

On December 21, 1891, the first-ever basketball game played with a soccer ball took place. 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 achieved: five soccer players now have asteroids named in their honor. Below is their roster.

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