Football is now a global sport with millions of players and fans. Its history is shaped by developments in rules, organization, equipment and international competition. Not everyone is very interested in football, but cannot avoid the topic, especially during international championships. Here is a short summary to join in the conversation,
History and diversity of football
The roots of football can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with various ball games serving as precursors. A standardized form emerged in Great Britain in the 19th century. The first football association was founded in England in 1863 with the founding of the Football Association. The first official football league, the Football League, followed in 1888.
Football quickly spread to other parts of Europe and soon became popular worldwide. The formation of more national football associations and the introduction of international competitions such as the World Cup helped the sport spread globally. Over time, the rules also evolved and the equipment improved to meet the demands of modern football.
Introduction and development of women’s football
Women's football began to gain popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but initially met with resistance. It was not until 1970 that the DFB lifted the ban on women playing. The Women's Bundesliga was founded in 1990 and has since grown in profile and popularity. The increasing popularity of women's football led to greater recognition and promotion of the sport.
Women's teams were founded, national and international competitions established and the quality of the game continuously improved. The Women's World Cup, which was first held in 1991, now delights millions of spectators around the world and shows the steady growth and professionalization of women's football. Due to the increasing number of talented players and the increased media presence, women's football has become an integral part of the sport and contributes significantly to the diversity and attractiveness of football.
Structure of football associations
At a global level, football is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). In Europe, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is responsible. In Germany, the German Football Association (DFB) is the largest single association.
FIFA, as the global umbrella organization, coordinates international tournaments, including the popular World Cup. UEFA organizes European competitions such as the Champions League and the European Championship. The DFB, as the largest single association in Germany, is responsible for organizing the Bundesliga and is responsible for promoting German football. The structure of the football associations reflects the enormous diversity and importance of football at national and international level. Their work supports the further development of football and ensures interaction between players, clubs and fans.
Digression, because this question comes up again and again: The main reason for Israel's participation in European football competitions is geographical and political, as tensions in the Middle East make it difficult to participate in Asian competitions. This is possible because the associations act as associations and are not directly associated with individual countries. And it is not just about Israel. Russia could also have its clubs and national team participate in Asian associations and in Asian events if it wants to be accepted there.
National and international leagues and competitions
The men's Bundesliga was founded in 1963 to centralise German football and strengthen the sport at a professional level. In 1990, the Women's Bundesliga was established to provide a similar framework for women's competition.
There are a number of football competitions in Germany, both at national and state level. The most important ones include:
1. Bundesliga: The Bundesliga is the highest division in German men's football. It consists of 18 teams that compete against each other in a double round, so that each team plays every other team twice (once at home and once away). The team with the most points at the end of the season becomes German champion. The last and second-to-last teams are relegated directly to the 2. Bundesliga, while the third-to-last team goes into the relegation play-offs.
2. Bundesliga: The second highest division in German men's football. Here, too, 18 teams play for promotion to the Bundesliga or to avoid relegation to the 3. Liga.
3. Liga: The third highest league, in which 20 teams compete against each other. Here, teams play for promotion to the 2. Bundesliga or to avoid relegation to the Regionalliga.
Regionalliga: The Regionalliga is the fourth highest league, but already amateur football, and is divided into five geographical divisions: North, Northeast, West, Southwest and Bavaria. The champions of the individual regional leagues and the runners-up of the Regionalliga Southwest play in promotion games for promotion to the 3rd league.
DFB-Pokal: The DFB-Pokal is a nationwide cup competition in which teams from all levels of the German football league system can participate. The competition is played in a knockout system, which means that games that end in a draw are decided by extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout. The winner of the cup qualifies for European football, specifically for the UEFA Europa League.
DFL Supercup: An annual competition in which the champions of the Bundesliga and the winners of the DFB Cup compete against each other. If a team has won both the championship and the cup, it plays against the runners-up of the Bundesliga.
Regional cup competitions: There are also regional cup competitions organized by the individual state football associations, such as the Berlin Cup, the Bavarian Cup, etc. The winners of these cup competitions qualify to participate in the DFB Cup of the next season.
UEFA competitions: Successful German teams at national level qualify for European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
These competitions form the framework of professional men's football in Germany. There are also competitions for women's football, such as the Women's Bundesliga and the Women's DFB Cup, as well as numerous youth competitions.
International competitions
There are various international competitions at European level for German club teams and the national team:
International club competitions:
1. UEFA Champions League: The most prestigious club competition in Europe for the best teams in the European leagues. Teams that achieve very high rankings in their national leagues qualify for this competition.
2. UEFA Europa League: The second highest European club competition, for which teams that finish high in the domestic leagues and cup competitions but are not qualified for the Champions League qualify.
3. UEFA Europa Conference League: Introduced in the 2021/2022 season, this competition is aimed at clubs ranked below the Champions League and Europa League qualifying places in their domestic leagues. It serves as the third-highest European club competition.
International competitions for national teams:
1. UEFA European Championship (EURO): The European Championship is a tournament held every four years in which national teams from all over Europe qualify and compete for the title of European champion.
2. UEFA Nations League: A biennial competition designed to replace friendlies with more meaningful competitions. National teams are divided into different leagues based on their ranking and compete for promotion and relegation within their own league and for the competition title.
3. FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: The qualifying matches for the World Cup, which takes place every four years, are played worldwide, but for European teams, they include the UEFA qualifying rounds. Here, national teams play in groups to qualify for the finals of the FIFA World Cup.
While club teams are selected to participate in European club competitions based on their performance in domestic leagues and cups, national teams compete in competitions and qualifiers organised by UEFA and FIFA.
FIFA World Cups for men and women
From a sporting perspective, the World Cup is of course the highlight of the international football calendar. Every four years, national teams from every continent compete for the coveted title of world champion. This sporting dimension produces heroes and stories that last for generations and become part of the cultural canon of the participating countries.
But more than that, the World Cup allows different cultures to resonate, merge and experience community. People from all corners of the world who may have little contact with other cultures come together to share their passion for football. This interaction not only opens the doors for cultural exchange, but also for understanding and tolerance across national and cultural boundaries.
Both World Championships take place every four years and attract millions of viewers around the world. The numbers of titles and successes mentioned may change with future World Championships, as new tournaments can rewrite history.
FIFA Men's World Cup
The first tournament took place in Uruguay in 1930. And Uruguay won the first tournament and became the first world champions in men's football.
The most successful men’s national teams at a World Cup
(As of 2023):
1. Brazil – 5 World Cup titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
2. Germany – 4 titles (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014); including titles won by West Germany
3. Italy – 4 titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
4. Argentina – 2 titles (1978, 1986)
5. France – 2 titles (1998, 2018)
6. Uruguay – 2 titles (1930, 1950)
7. England – 1 title (1966)
8. Spain – 1 title (2010)
FIFA Women's World Cup
The first FIFA Women's World Cup was held in China in 1991. The United States won the inaugural tournament and became the first women's soccer world champions.
The most successful women’s national teams at a World Cup
(As of 2023):
1. USA – 4 world championship titles (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019)
2. Germany – 2 titles (2003, 2007)
3. Norway – 1 title (1995)
4. Japan – 1 title (2011)
Why then European Football Championships
The European Football Championship, also known as the UEFA European Championship or Euro, is a continental football tournament that has been held since 1960 and is specifically designed to recognise football achievements at a European level. There are several reasons that underline the importance and need for a separate European championship, despite the existence of the globally oriented FIFA World Cup.
Europe has a rich football history and the European nations have been and continue to be influential in the development of football. The EURO provides a stage on which European teams can compete against each other and further develop football culture.
Europe is considered one of the strongest football continents with a high density of top nations. The European Championship offers fans, players and coaches a tournament of the highest standard. Similar to the World Cup, the European Championship allows European nations to express their national pride and compete against each other. It promotes a sense of unity within the continent.
The European Championship also offers smaller or less successful football nations in Europe the chance to take part in a major tournament. While the number of participants in World Cups is very limited and many smaller countries have no chance of qualifying, the EURO allows more European teams to gain experience at a high level. And while the World Cup only takes place every four years, the European Championship offers the opportunity to hold a high-class tournament in the intervening years. This keeps interest in football at a high level and ensures continuous sporting highlights.
The EURO inspires millions of people - not only in Europe, but worldwide. It contributes to the enthusiasm for football and motivates young football players to take up the sport. Overall, the European Championship does not compete with the World Cup, but rather complements it by promoting the cultural and sporting development of European football. It is an important element in the international football calendar that contributes to the diversity and enthusiasm of the sport.
Technical innovations over the decades
The history of football has been heavily influenced by technological innovations over the years. These changes have influenced the game as we know it today in many ways, from the design of the rules to the way the game is experienced by fans.
Video Assistance Systems (VAR): Perhaps one of the most significant technological innovations in recent times is the introduction of the Video Assistance System, which is used to review and, if necessary, correct referee decisions in clearly defined match situations, such as goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity. VAR has changed the way football is played significantly by reducing the number of incorrect decisions - but has also led to controversy, particularly with regard to the flow and spontaneity of the game.
Goal-Line Technology: Before VAR, goal-line technology was the first major technological advancement in the world of football. It was developed to determine whether or not a ball had fully crossed the goal line. This technology has helped to make clear and fair decisions regarding goals scored and is now standard equipment in many top leagues and tournaments.
The development of artificial turf has made it possible to play football matches regardless of weather conditions and to reduce the strain on natural grass pitches. Artificial turf requires less maintenance than natural grass and is more durable, but there are also discussions about the feel of the game and the risk of injury.
Technology has also manifested itself in the development of balls and football equipment. Modern footballs have aerodynamic properties and are more precise to play with than their predecessors. Football boots and jerseys are made of lightweight and durable materials that also positively affect the performance of the players.
Fitness tracking and performance analysis: Wearables and GPS tracking systems allow players' performance to be closely tracked. This offers coaching teams the opportunity to collect and analyze data in real time to optimize training programs and promote player development.
Replay and broadcast: The development of HDTV, slow-motion replay and streaming services has dramatically improved the fan experience. Fans can watch games in high quality and have access to different angles, deepening the understanding and analysis of the game.
Technological innovations have transformed football on many levels and will continue to do so. They ensure fair conditions and support the development of the game, even if they always bring with them new debates about the nature and purity of the sport.
Development of football design
Early footballs were made of inflated animal bladders surrounded by leather. Over time, they were developed into the spherical balls we see today. In 1970, Adidas introduced a new design for the World Cup, the "Telstar", which also included the iconic black pentagons. This new design revolutionized the visibility of the ball on the pitch and became a classic.
Today, there are a variety of football designs specifically developed for different conditions and competitions. From the classic leather balls to high-tech balls with improved grip and flight characteristics, the design has constantly evolved to meet the demands of the players and the game. The variety of designs reflects the creative and innovative side of football, which is always looking for improvements and perfection.
And the question of all questions – what is offside?
Offside is a rule in football that prevents attacking players from constantly waiting for the ball close to the opponent's goal and thus gaining an unfair advantage. A player is in an offside position if, at the time the ball is played by a team-mate, he is closer to the opponent's goal line than the ball and the second-to-last defender, with the goalkeeper usually counting as the last defender.
However, the offside rule is not determined solely by positioning, but must also be considered in the context of active play. A player will only be penalized for being offside if he is actively participating in the game at the time the ball is played, by touching the ball or influencing an opponent. If a player is in an offside position without influencing the game, no offside is called.
If the referee or an assistant referee blows the whistle for offside, play is restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the position where the player was when the offside pass was made. It is a tactical move for defenders to position themselves in such a way that attacking opponents are offside, which is known as the "offside trap".
The history of football is one of continuous adaptation and expansion. At both national and international level, football has become a symbol of global connectedness and plays an important social and cultural role on and off the field.