By IDTeamFootball, known as soccer in some countries, is the most popular sport in the world, played and watched by billions of fans. From legendary players to record-breaking moments, football has a fascinating history filled with fun and surprising facts.
Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just someone curious about the game, here are some amazing and little-known facts about football that will surprise you!
1. Football Is the Most-Watched Sport in the World
- Football is followed by over 4 billion fans, making it the most-watched and most-played sport on the planet.
- The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event, attracting billions of viewers worldwide.
- The 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia was watched by over 1.1 billion people worldwide!
No other sport comes close to football’s global influence.
2. The First-Ever Football Game Was Played Over 150 Years Ago
The first officially recorded football match took place on December 19, 1863, in London, England.
- It was played between teams from Barnes and Richmond, following the newly established Football Association (FA) rules.
- The game ended in a 0-0 draw, but it marked the beginning of modern football.
Since then, football has grown into a global phenomenon, with thousands of leagues and clubs worldwide.
3. A Football Game Was Once Stopped by an Invasion of Frogs!
In 1959, a match in Brazil was interrupted when thousands of frogs invaded the pitch!
- The referee had to pause the match as players struggled to avoid stepping on the frogs.
- After a long delay, the match resumed once the field was cleared.
This remains one of the strangest interruptions in football history!
4. The Fastest Goal Ever Scored in Football Took Just 2 Seconds
The fastest goal in football history was scored by Nawaf Al-Abed in just 2.4 seconds during a Saudi Arabian league match.
- The ball was kicked from midfield immediately after the referee’s whistle and went straight into the net!
- This record is still unbeaten in professional football.
Now that’s what you call a blazing fast start!
5. The Largest Football Stadium in the World Is in North Korea
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea is the biggest football stadium in the world.
- It has a seating capacity of 114,000 people!
- It is mainly used for football matches, athletic events, and mass performances.
It is even bigger than famous stadiums like Camp Nou, Wembley, and the Maracanã.
6. The First Football World Cup Had Only 13 Teams
The first FIFA World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, featured just 13 teams.
- Uruguay won the tournament by defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final.
- Today, the World Cup has 32 teams, and from 2026, it will expand to 48 teams!
Football’s biggest tournament has come a long way since 1930.
7. The Most Goals Scored by a Player in a Single Match Is 16
The record for the most goals in a single professional match is 16 goals, scored by Stephan Stanis in 1942!
- He achieved this incredible feat while playing for RC Lens (France).
- No modern footballer has come close to breaking this record.
Scoring one goal is hard enough, but 16 goals in one game? That’s legendary!
8. A Goalkeeper Once Scored a Goal from His Own Net
In 2013, Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begović scored a goal from his own penalty box!
- He kicked the ball so hard that it traveled 92 meters (301 feet) and bounced over the opposing goalkeeper.
- The goal was scored in just 13 seconds after the game started.
This remains one of the most unusual goals in football history.
9. The Most Expensive Football Transfer Was Over $260 Million
The record for the most expensive football transfer belongs to Neymar, who moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017.
- The transfer cost €222 million ($263 million USD)!
- This remains the highest transfer fee in football history.
Football transfers can be as expensive as Hollywood blockbusters!
10. The Only Footballer to Win the World Cup Three Times
Brazilian legend Pelé is the only player in football history to win three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, and 1970).
- Pelé made his World Cup debut at 17 years old and scored a hat-trick in the semi-final of the 1958 tournament.
- He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
No other player has ever won three World Cups!
11. The Longest Football Match Lasted 3.5 Hours
The longest football match in history lasted 3 hours and 23 minutes!
- It was played in England in 1946 between Stockport County and Doncaster Rovers.
- The match went on for 203 minutes because the league rules did not allow penalty shootouts!
Eventually, the game was declared a draw, and a replay was scheduled.
12. Lionel Messi Has the Most Goals for a Single Club
Football legend Lionel Messi holds the record for the most goals scored for a single club.
- Messi scored 672 goals for FC Barcelona before leaving the club in 2021.
- He broke Pele’s record of 643 goals for Santos FC.
Messi’s loyalty and goal-scoring ability make him one of the greatest players in football history.
13. The World’s First Football Club Was Founded in 1857
The oldest football club in the world is Sheffield FC, founded in 1857 in England.
- It is recognized by FIFA as the first-ever football club.
- The club still exists today, competing in non-league English football.
Sheffield FC is a living piece of football history!
14. Cristiano Ronaldo Has Scored in Every Minute of a Game
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player in history to have scored in every single minute (1 to 90) of a football match!
- He has scored goals in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and all the way up to the 90th minute.
- This shows his incredible goal-scoring ability and consistency.
Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record is truly unmatched!
15. The Fastest Hat-Trick in Football History Took Just 70 Seconds
The fastest hat-trick in football history was scored in just 70 seconds by Tommy Ross in 1964.
- He scored three goals in less than a minute and a half for Ross County (Scotland).
- This record remains unbeaten in professional football.
Now that’s speed and skill combined!
Final Thoughts
Football is more than just a sport—it’s a global passion that unites people from every corner of the world. From record-breaking goals to bizarre match interruptions, football is full of amazing moments.
Which football fact surprised you the most? Do you have a favorite football memory? Let us know in the comments!