Football · Faits intéressants
Chapitre 7 : Géographie et culture
10 tests · 100 faits · mis à jour le 23 octobre 2026 · markdown
Where football is played and how it shaped culture: FIFA's footprint, football's smallest nations, Africa, Asia and the Americas, the language of the game, songs and anthems, football on screen and in books, stands with stories and the museums that keep its treasures.
7.71L'empreinte mondiale du football
Jusqu'où s'étend l'instance dirigeante du football, où se trouvent géographiquement les racines et les records du jeu, et la culture derrière deux surnoms célèbres de sélections nationales.
Test 1Rayonnement de la FIFA, géographie du football et culture des sélections nationalesFaire un test
Les 211 membres de la FIFA comprennent des territoires comme l'Angleterre, l'Écosse, le pays de Galles et Hong Kong, qui ne sont pas des États souverains membres de l'ONU, soit plus que les 193 États de l'ONU.
Source : Historiques recoupés du nombre de membres de la FIFA et de l'ONU · restitution
La FIFA cite le cuju, un jeu consistant à frapper une balle en cuir, attesté depuis l'époque de la dynastie Han, comme la plus ancienne preuve d'un jeu ressemblant au football.
Source : Historiques recoupés de la reconnaissance du cuju par la FIFA · restitution
Inauguré en 1989, le stade du 1er-Mai de Rungrado peut accueillir environ 114 000 spectateurs depuis sa rénovation de 2014, ce qui en fait le plus grand stade de football du monde par sa capacité.
Source : Historiques recoupés du stade Rungrado du 1er Mai · restitution
L'Estadio Hernando Siles, à La Paz, se situe à environ 3 600 mètres d'altitude, ce qui en fait l'une des enceintes les plus hautes du football international.
Source : Historiques recoupés de l'Estadio Hernando Siles · restitution
L'équipe des Pays-Bas joue en orange et tire son surnom « Oranje » de la maison d'Orange-Nassau, la famille royale issue de Guillaume d'Orange.
Source : Historiques recoupés du surnom d'Oranje · restitution
Avec une population d'environ 335 000 habitants, l'Islande a battu le Kosovo pour se qualifier pour la Coupe du monde 2018, et reste de loin la plus petite nation à avoir atteint le tournoi.
Source : Reportages recoupés sur la qualification de l'Islande pour la Coupe du monde 2018 · restitution
Après que le maillot blanc du Brésil a été tenu pour responsable de la défaite en finale de la Coupe du monde 1950, un concours organisé par un journal en 1953 a donné naissance au maillot jaune, surnommé « Canarinho » (petit canari) en raison de sa couleur.
Source : Historiques recoupés du maillot jaune du Brésil · restitution
Les 211 membres de la FIFA appartiennent à l'une des six confédérations : UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC et OFC.
Source : FIFA, inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/news/statement-by-fifa-and-the-six-confederations · restitution
Attesté depuis la fin du XVe siècle au moins et codifié officiellement en 1580, le Calcio Storico Fiorentino se joue encore chaque mois de juin à Florence, entre les équipes des quatre quartiers historiques de la ville.
Source : Historiques recoupés du Calcio Storico Fiorentino · restitution
Saint-Marin a battu le Liechtenstein 1-0 le 5 septembre 2024 en Ligue des nations, sa première victoire en match officiel : auparavant, son bilan en compétition était de 171 défaites et cinq nuls en 176 matchs.
Source : Reportages recoupés sur la première victoire officielle de Saint-Marin en 2024 · restitution
7.72Football's Smallest Nations
The Faroe Islands' first win, Gibraltar and Kosovo, the Other Final, American Samoa and Andorra.
Test 1Small football nationsFaire un test
The European Championship qualifier was played in Landskrona, Sweden, because the islands had no grass pitch good enough.
Source : Faroese Football Association, '1990: Faroe Islands 1-0 Austria' (fsf.fo); UEFA · restitution
UEFA would not allow the match on the islands' artificial pitches.
Source : Faroese Football Association, '1990: Faroe Islands 1-0 Austria' (fsf.fo); UEFA · restitution
Its national team played its first official match against Slovakia that November.
Source : Gibraltar FA, 'UEFA membership 2013' (gibraltarfa.com); UEFA · restitution
Both votes came in May 2016.
Source : Football Federation of Kosovo (ffk-kosova.com); FIFA and UEFA congress decisions, May 2016 · restitution
The two lowest-ranked sides in the world met on the day of the Yokohama final; Bhutan won 4-0.
Source : Bhutan Football Federation and the documentary 'The Other Final' (2003); FIFA · restitution
They won 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, ten years after losing 31-0 to Australia.
Source : Football Federation American Samoa (ffas.as); FIFA, 2011 qualifier report · restitution
They won 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
Source : Federació Andorrana de Futbol (faf.ad); UEFA, Euro 2004 qualifying · restitution
1990, 2002, 2004 and 2011.
Source : FIFA (inside.fifa.com) and UEFA (uefa.com) match records · restitution
1990, 1996, 2013 and 2016.
Source : UEFA, 'Member associations' (uefa.com) · restitution
Bhutan's national stadium stands in the valley of the Wang Chhu river.
Source : Bhutan Football Federation and the documentary 'The Other Final' (2003); FIFA · restitution
7.73Football in Africa
The Black Stars, Bafana Bafana, the vuvuzela, Olympic golds, Al Ahly and Egypt's three in a row.
Test 1African footballFaire un test
The black star on Ghana's flag also comes from Garvey's Black Star Line.
Source : Ghana Football Association, 'Why the Black Stars?' (ghanafa.org) · restitution
The women's team are known as Banyana Banyana, 'the girls'.
Source : South African Football Association, 'Bafana Bafana' (safa.net); FIFA 2010 World Cup reports · restitution
They are Les Éléphants; an elephant's head is also on the country's coat of arms.
Source : Fédération Ivoirienne de Football, 'Les Éléphants' (fif.ci) · restitution
Nigeria beat Argentina 3-2 in the final in Athens, Georgia.
Source : Nigeria Football Federation (thenff.com); Olympics.com, Atlanta 1996 football final · restitution
Cameroon beat Spain on penalties in the final.
Source : Olympics.com, 'Sydney 2000 football final'; FECAFOOT · restitution
The Cairo club has won more CAF titles than any other.
Source : Al Ahly SC, 'African club of the century' (alahlyegypt.com); CAF · restitution
Egypt won in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Source : Egyptian Football Association (efa.com.eg); CAF, Africa Cup of Nations records · restitution
1957, 1996, 2000 and 2010.
Source : CAF (cafonline.com) and Olympics.com records · restitution
2006, 2008 and 2010.
Source : Egyptian Football Association (efa.com.eg); CAF, Africa Cup of Nations records · restitution
Some broadcasters filtered out the drone.
Source : South African Football Association, 'Bafana Bafana' (safa.net); FIFA 2010 World Cup reports · restitution
7.74Football in Asia
The J.League, Zico at Kashima, the first Asian pro league, the ISL, Samurai Blue and Owairan's goal.
Test 1Asian footballFaire un test
It began with ten clubs.
Source : Japan Football Association, 'The J.League's founding' (jfa.jp); J.League (jleague.co) · restitution
He played for and later advised the club.
Source : Kashima Antlers, 'Zico' (antlers.co.jp) · restitution
It was then called the Korean Super League.
Source : Korea Football Association and K League, 'History' (kleague.com) · restitution
It brought in well-known foreign players in their thirties.
Source : Indian Super League, 'About' (indiansuperleague.com) · restitution
The women's team are called Nadeshiko Japan.
Source : Japan Football Association, 'The J.League's founding' (jfa.jp); J.League (jleague.co) · restitution
He ran from his own half; Saudi Arabia reached the last 16.
Source : Saudi Arabian Football Federation; FIFA, '1994: Owairan's goal against Belgium' (inside.fifa.com) · restitution
They lost all three group matches.
Source : Japan Football Association, 'The J.League's founding' (jfa.jp); J.League (jleague.co) · restitution
1983, 1993, 2004 and 2014.
Source : AFC (the-afc.com), J.League and K League records · restitution
1954, 1994, 1998 and 2002.
Source : AFC (the-afc.com), J.League and K League records · restitution
It is called Yatagarasu and is said to have guided an emperor.
Source : Japan Football Association, 'The J.League's founding' (jfa.jp); J.League (jleague.co) · restitution
7.75Football in the Americas
MLS and the NASL, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, the Reggae Boyz, Panama and the word 'soccer'.
Test 1Football in the AmericasFaire un test
He scored for the San Jose Clash against DC United.
Source : Major League Soccer, 'The first MLS match, 1996' (mlssoccer.com) · restitution
It folded after the 1984 season.
Source : U.S. Soccer, 'History of the NASL' (ussoccer.com) · restitution
Iceland took the record in 2018.
Source : Trinidad and Tobago Football Association; FIFA 2006 World Cup reports · restitution
They lost all three matches in Mexico without scoring.
Source : Canada Soccer, '1986 World Cup' (canadasoccer.com) · restitution
It was the first English-speaking Caribbean side at a World Cup.
Source : Jamaica Football Federation, '1998: the Reggae Boyz' (jff.com.jm) · restitution
Felipe Baloy scored in a 6-1 defeat; fans celebrated as if they had won.
Source : FEPAFUT Panama; FIFA, 2018 World Cup match report England v Panama · restitution
DC won 3-2 after extra time in the rain at Foxborough.
Source : Major League Soccer, 'The first MLS match, 1996' (mlssoccer.com) · restitution
1968, 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2018.
Source : FIFA (inside.fifa.com), MLS and CONCACAF records · restitution
1986, 1998, 2006 and 2018.
Source : FIFA (inside.fifa.com), MLS and CONCACAF records · restitution
'Assoc' became 'soccer', to tell association football from rugger.
Source : Oxford English Dictionary, 'soccer' etymology; The FA · restitution
7.76The Language of Football
Hat-tricks, the beautiful game, the Socceroos, La Albiceleste, El Tri, Fergie time and 'olé'.
Test 1Football words and nicknamesFaire un test
A bowler who took three wickets with three balls was given a hat in 1858.
Source : Marylebone Cricket Club, 'The origin of the hat-trick' (lords.org) · restitution
He used it as the title of his 1977 autobiography.
Source : Pelé, 'My Life and the Beautiful Game' (1977); FIFA · restitution
It is also the name of the old Florentine game, calcio storico.
Source : Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster entries; The FA, 'Football terms' · restitution
'Albiceleste' means 'white and sky blue'.
Source : AFA, 'La Albiceleste' (afa.com.ar) · restitution
The flag is green, white and red.
Source : Mexican Football Federation, 'El Tri' (miseleccion.mx) · restitution
It was named after Sir Alex Ferguson, who was often seen pointing at his watch.
Source : Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster entries; The FA, 'Football terms' · restitution
The crowd greets each pass as it would a matador's move.
Source : Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster entries; The FA, 'Football terms' · restitution
Argentina in 1930, Australia in 1974, Japan in 1998 and Ghana in 2006.
Source : Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster entries; The FA, 'Football terms' · restitution
Cricket in 1858, Oxford in the 1880s, Pelé's 1977 book and the 1990s.
Source : Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster entries; The FA, 'Football terms' · restitution
The name took hold in the 1960s and 1970s; Australia first reached a World Cup in 1974.
Source : Football Australia, 'Why the Socceroos?' (footballaustralia.com.au) · restitution
7.77Songs and Anthems
Zadok the Priest, Three Lions, Blue Moon, Bubbles, Seven Nation Army, World in Motion and Waka Waka.
Test 1Football songsFaire un test
Tony Britten adapted one of Handel's coronation anthems in 1992.
Source : UEFA, 'The Champions League anthem' (uefa.com) · restitution
It was written by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds.
Source : The FA (englandfootball.com) and Scottish FA records of official team songs · restitution
The song was taken up in the late 1980s.
Source : Manchester City, 'Blue Moon' heritage pages (mancity.com) · restitution
The song dates from 1918 and was taken up in the 1920s.
Source : West Ham United, 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' (whufc.com) · restitution
The riff by The White Stripes went on to Italy's 2006 World Cup and beyond.
Source : Club Brugge, 'Seven Nation Army' (clubbrugge.be); UEFA · restitution
John Barnes performed the rap.
Source : The FA (englandfootball.com), Scottish FA and FIFA records of World Cup songs · restitution
She performed it at the closing ceremony in Johannesburg.
Source : FIFA, 'Waka Waka, the official song of 2010' (fifa.com) · restitution
1970, 1978, 1990 and 1996.
Source : The FA (englandfootball.com), Scottish FA and FIFA records of World Cup songs · restitution
1918, 1992, 2003 and 2010.
Source : The FA (englandfootball.com), Scottish FA and FIFA records of World Cup songs · restitution
Handel wrote it for George II's coronation in 1727.
Source : UEFA, 'The Champions League anthem' (uefa.com) · restitution
7.78Football on Page and Screen
Fever Pitch, The Damned United, Roy of the Rovers, Captain Tsubasa, Ted Lasso and Looking for Eric.
Test 1Football in books, comics and filmFaire un test
It was later filmed twice, once with a baseball story.
Source : Penguin Books, 'Fever Pitch' by Nick Hornby (1992) · restitution
Spall played his assistant Peter Taylor and Meaney played Don Revie.
Source : Faber & Faber, 'The Damned United' by David Peace (2006); BFI, 'The Damned United' (2009) · restitution
The comic strip began in 1954.
Source : Rebellion, 'Roy of the Rovers: 1954 to today' (royoftherovers.com) · restitution
Players such as Alessandro Del Piero and Fernando Torres have spoken of it.
Source : Shueisha, 'Captain Tsubasa' (1981); Japan Football Association · restitution
The series began in 2020.
Source : Apple TV+, 'Ted Lasso' (2020) · restitution
The film is about a postman who imagines Cantona giving him advice.
Source : Sixteen Films, 'Looking for Eric' (Ken Loach, 2009) · restitution
It follows a boy whose father returns from a Soviet prison camp.
Source : Senator Film, 'Das Wunder von Bern' (Sönke Wortmann, 2003) · restitution
1954, 1981, 1992, 2006 and 2020.
Source : Publishers' and studios' release records (Penguin, Faber, Rebellion, Shueisha, Apple TV+) · restitution
2003, 2005 and 2009.
Source : Publishers' and studios' release records (Penguin, Faber, Rebellion, Shueisha, Apple TV+) · restitution
He had coached a college team in Kansas.
Source : Apple TV+, 'Ted Lasso' (2020) · restitution
7.79Stands and Grounds With Stories
The Kop, the Holte End, the Gallowgate, the Shed, the Maracanã's name and Wembley's towers.
Test 1Stands and stadium namesFaire un test
Spion Kop was fought in 1900; many soldiers from Lancashire died there.
Source : Liverpool FC, 'The Kop and Spion Kop' (liverpoolfc.com) · restitution
The Holte Hotel stood beside Villa Park.
Source : Aston Villa, 'The Holte End' (avfc.co.uk) · restitution
Public executions were once held there.
Source : Newcastle United, 'St James' Park: the Gallowgate End' (nufc.co.uk) · restitution
Mário Filho had campaigned for the stadium to be built in Rio.
Source : Estádio do Maracanã, 'História' (maracana.com) · restitution
The new stadium opened in 2007 with its arch instead.
Source : Wembley Stadium, 'The twin towers' (wembleystadium.com) · restitution
The stadium was once called the Central Lenin Stadium.
Source : Luzhniki Stadium, 'History' (luzhniki.ru) · restitution
The roof was put up in the 1930s for the greyhound crowds.
Source : Chelsea FC, 'The Shed End' (chelseafc.com) · restitution
1900, 1906 and 1950.
Source : Club heritage pages: liverpoolfc.com, avfc.co.uk, nufc.co.uk, manutd.com, chelseafc.com · restitution
1950, 1956, 2003 and 2007.
Source : Wembley Stadium, 'The twin towers' (wembleystadium.com) · restitution
It opened in 1923, in time for the FA Cup final.
Source : Wembley Stadium, 'The twin towers' (wembleystadium.com) · restitution
7.80Museums and Old Treasures
The National Football Museum, FIFA's museum, the Museu do Futebol, the Stirling ball and the 1858 rules.
Test 1Football museumsFaire un test
It opened at Deepdale, Preston's ground, in 2001.
Source : National Football Museum, 'About us' (nationalfootballmuseum.com) · restitution
It holds trophies, shirts and records from FIFA's history.
Source : FIFA Museum, Zurich (fifamuseum.com) · restitution
The museum sits under the stadium's stands.
Source : Museu do Futebol, São Paulo (museudofutebol.org.br) · restitution
It is kept at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
Source : Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, 'The world's oldest football' (smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk) · restitution
The money helped the world's oldest club.
Source : Sotheby's, sale of Sheffield FC's 1858 rules (2011); Sheffield FC (sheffieldfc.com) · restitution
Visitors also tour the stadium.
Source : FC Barcelona, 'Barça Museum' (fcbarcelona.com) · restitution
It is run by the National Football Museum.
Source : National Football Museum, 'Hall of Fame' (nationalfootballmuseum.com) · restitution
2001, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Source : National Football Museum, FIFA Museum and Museu do Futebol official histories · restitution
The 1540s, 1858 and 1863.
Source : National Football Museum, FIFA Museum and Museu do Futebol official histories · restitution
It was found behind panelling in the Queen's Chamber in the 1970s.
Source : Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, 'The world's oldest football' (smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk) · restitution
Sources
Sources primaires et officielles lorsqu'elles existent : FIFA (fifa.com, inside.fifa.com). Plusieurs faits de géographie et de culture s'appuient sur plusieurs récits recoupés ne provenant pas de Wikipédia, faute d'avoir trouvé une page d'archives officielle unique – signalé pour chaque question. Aucune citation de Wikipédia. Reformulé avec nos propres mots ; questions originales rédigées.
- Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster entries; The FA, 'Football terms'5
- Japan Football Association, 'The J.League's founding' (jfa.jp); J.League (jleague.co)4
- The FA (englandfootball.com), Scottish FA and FIFA records of World Cup songs3
- Wembley Stadium, 'The twin towers' (wembleystadium.com)3
- Faroese Football Association, '1990: Faroe Islands 1-0 Austria' (fsf.fo); UEFA2
- Bhutan Football Federation and the documentary 'The Other Final' (2003); FIFA2
- South African Football Association, 'Bafana Bafana' (safa.net); FIFA 2010 World Cup reports2
- Egyptian Football Association (efa.com.eg); CAF, Africa Cup of Nations records2
- AFC (the-afc.com), J.League and K League records2
- Major League Soccer, 'The first MLS match, 1996' (mlssoccer.com)2
- FIFA (inside.fifa.com), MLS and CONCACAF records2
- UEFA, 'The Champions League anthem' (uefa.com)2
- Apple TV+, 'Ted Lasso' (2020)2
- Publishers' and studios' release records (Penguin, Faber, Rebellion, Shueisha, Apple TV+)2
- Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, 'The world's oldest football' (smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk)2
- National Football Museum, FIFA Museum and Museu do Futebol official histories2
- Historiques recoupés du nombre de membres de la FIFA et de l'ONU1
- Historiques recoupés de la reconnaissance du cuju par la FIFA1
- Historiques recoupés du stade Rungrado du 1er Mai1
- Historiques recoupés de l'Estadio Hernando Siles1
- Historiques recoupés du surnom d'Oranje1
- Reportages recoupés sur la qualification de l'Islande pour la Coupe du monde 20181
- Historiques recoupés du maillot jaune du Brésil1
- FIFA, inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/news/statement-by-fifa-and-the-six-confederations1
- Historiques recoupés du Calcio Storico Fiorentino1
- Reportages recoupés sur la première victoire officielle de Saint-Marin en 20241
- Gibraltar FA, 'UEFA membership 2013' (gibraltarfa.com); UEFA1
- Football Federation of Kosovo (ffk-kosova.com); FIFA and UEFA congress decisions, May 20161
- Football Federation American Samoa (ffas.as); FIFA, 2011 qualifier report1
- Federació Andorrana de Futbol (faf.ad); UEFA, Euro 2004 qualifying1
- FIFA (inside.fifa.com) and UEFA (uefa.com) match records1
- UEFA, 'Member associations' (uefa.com)1
- Ghana Football Association, 'Why the Black Stars?' (ghanafa.org)1
- Fédération Ivoirienne de Football, 'Les Éléphants' (fif.ci)1
- Nigeria Football Federation (thenff.com); Olympics.com, Atlanta 1996 football final1
- Olympics.com, 'Sydney 2000 football final'; FECAFOOT1
- Al Ahly SC, 'African club of the century' (alahlyegypt.com); CAF1
- CAF (cafonline.com) and Olympics.com records1
- Kashima Antlers, 'Zico' (antlers.co.jp)1
- Korea Football Association and K League, 'History' (kleague.com)1
- Indian Super League, 'About' (indiansuperleague.com)1
- Saudi Arabian Football Federation; FIFA, '1994: Owairan's goal against Belgium' (inside.fifa.com)1
- U.S. Soccer, 'History of the NASL' (ussoccer.com)1
- Trinidad and Tobago Football Association; FIFA 2006 World Cup reports1
- Canada Soccer, '1986 World Cup' (canadasoccer.com)1
- Jamaica Football Federation, '1998: the Reggae Boyz' (jff.com.jm)1
- FEPAFUT Panama; FIFA, 2018 World Cup match report England v Panama1
- Oxford English Dictionary, 'soccer' etymology; The FA1
- Marylebone Cricket Club, 'The origin of the hat-trick' (lords.org)1
- Pelé, 'My Life and the Beautiful Game' (1977); FIFA1
- AFA, 'La Albiceleste' (afa.com.ar)1
- Mexican Football Federation, 'El Tri' (miseleccion.mx)1
- Football Australia, 'Why the Socceroos?' (footballaustralia.com.au)1
- The FA (englandfootball.com) and Scottish FA records of official team songs1
- Manchester City, 'Blue Moon' heritage pages (mancity.com)1
- West Ham United, 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' (whufc.com)1
- Club Brugge, 'Seven Nation Army' (clubbrugge.be); UEFA1
- FIFA, 'Waka Waka, the official song of 2010' (fifa.com)1
- Penguin Books, 'Fever Pitch' by Nick Hornby (1992)1
- Faber & Faber, 'The Damned United' by David Peace (2006); BFI, 'The Damned United' (2009)1
- Rebellion, 'Roy of the Rovers: 1954 to today' (royoftherovers.com)1
- Shueisha, 'Captain Tsubasa' (1981); Japan Football Association1
- Sixteen Films, 'Looking for Eric' (Ken Loach, 2009)1
- Senator Film, 'Das Wunder von Bern' (Sönke Wortmann, 2003)1
- Liverpool FC, 'The Kop and Spion Kop' (liverpoolfc.com)1
- Aston Villa, 'The Holte End' (avfc.co.uk)1
- Newcastle United, 'St James' Park: the Gallowgate End' (nufc.co.uk)1
- Estádio do Maracanã, 'História' (maracana.com)1
- Luzhniki Stadium, 'History' (luzhniki.ru)1
- Chelsea FC, 'The Shed End' (chelseafc.com)1
- Club heritage pages: liverpoolfc.com, avfc.co.uk, nufc.co.uk, manutd.com, chelseafc.com1
- National Football Museum, 'About us' (nationalfootballmuseum.com)1
- FIFA Museum, Zurich (fifamuseum.com)1
- Museu do Futebol, São Paulo (museudofutebol.org.br)1
- Sotheby's, sale of Sheffield FC's 1858 rules (2011); Sheffield FC (sheffieldfc.com)1
- FC Barcelona, 'Barça Museum' (fcbarcelona.com)1
- National Football Museum, 'Hall of Fame' (nationalfootballmuseum.com)1