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Quizzes > Sports

Football History Quiz: From Early Rules to World Cup Legends

Quick, free football history trivia. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Dreon PharisUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This football history quiz helps you test your knowledge of the game's past, from early rules to World Cup legends. See your score in minutes and learn something new with each attempt. For a broader challenge, try our football general knowledge quiz, or brush up on calls with the laws of the game quiz.

Which year was the first FIFA World Cup held?
1932
1924
1928
1930
The first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930, and it was hosted by Uruguay. It marked the beginning of the world's premier international football tournament. A total of 13 teams participated, and the host nation went on to lift the trophy.
Which country won the inaugural FIFA World Cup tournament?
Uruguay
Italy
Argentina
Brazil
Uruguay won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 by defeating Argentina 4 - 2 in the final. The tournament was played entirely in Uruguay, with matches held in Montevideo and other cities. The victory cemented Uruguay's early status as a global football powerhouse.
According to the Laws of the Game, what is the maximum number of players a team may have on the field during a match?
10
9
11
12
Law 3 of the Laws of the Game stipulates that a team consists of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. This rule ensures consistency across all levels of play worldwide. Teams must field at least seven players to start or continue a match.
Which country is credited with inventing modern football and codifying its rules?
England
Italy
France
Germany
Modern association football originated in England in the mid-19th century. The Football Association was formed in 1863 to unify the various codes of football being played in schools and clubs across the country. Their codified Laws of the Game laid the foundation for the sport worldwide.
In which city is the famous Maracanã Stadium located?
Montevideo
Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires
São Paulo
Maracanã Stadium is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is one of the most iconic football venues in the world. Opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup, it has hosted numerous historic matches, including two World Cup finals. Its official name is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, but it's universally known as the Maracanã.
Which player infamously scored the 'Hand of God' goal in a World Cup quarter-final?
Pelé
Diego Maradona
Lionel Messi
Zinedine Zidane
During the 1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona used his hand to punch the ball into the net. He later described it as the 'Hand of God.' Despite the controversy, Maradona also scored the 'Goal of the Century' in the same match.
In football, what does a red card signify?
Player is sent off
Time added
Substitution
Warning
A red card is shown by the referee to indicate that a player must leave the field immediately for a serious offense. This results in the team playing with one fewer player for the remainder of the match. Accumulation of two yellow cards also leads to a red card.
What does the acronym FIFA stand for?
Football International Federation of Athletes
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
Football Institute of Federation Associations
Federation of International Football Athletes
FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association, which is French for International Federation of Association Football. Established in 1904, FIFA is the governing body of international football and oversees major tournaments like the World Cup. Its headquarters are in Zürich, Switzerland.
Who is the all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history?
Miroslav Klose
Ronaldo Nazário
Just Fontaine
Gerd Müller
Miroslav Klose scored 16 goals across four World Cups from 2002 to 2014, making him the top scorer in tournament history. He surpassed Brazil's Ronaldo, who scored 15 goals. Klose's final goal came during the 2014 semi-final against Brazil.
Which country has won the most FIFA World Cup titles?
Italy
Argentina
Germany
Brazil
Brazil holds the record with five World Cup wins in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. The Brazilian team is renowned for its skillful and attacking style of play. Their victories span four decades, showcasing sustained excellence.
In which year did England secure their only FIFA World Cup victory?
1950
1962
1966
1970
England won their sole World Cup in 1966, defeating West Germany 4 - 2 after extra time at Wembley Stadium. Geoff Hurst scored a famous hat-trick, the only one in a World Cup final to date. The victory remains a defining moment in English football history.
Which underdog team won the UEFA European Championship in 2004?
Greece
France
Italy
Portugal
Greece shockingly won Euro 2004 by beating hosts Portugal 1 - 0 in the final. Their disciplined defensive strategy and tactical organization helped them overcome more fancied teams. It remains one of the biggest surprises in European Championship history.
Which club has won the most UEFA Champions League titles?
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Liverpool
AC Milan
Real Madrid has won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League a record fourteen times, including five consecutive titles from 1956 to 1960. Their dominance spans both the competition's early years and the modern era. The club's success is unmatched in European club football.
Who scored the winning goal in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final?
Teddy Sheringham
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Paul Scholes
David Beckham
Ole Gunnar Solskjær came off the bench to score the decisive 2 - 1 goal for Manchester United in injury time against Bayern Munich. His strike completed United's dramatic comeback and secured their treble-winning season. It remains one of the most iconic moments in Champions League history.
Which nation hosted the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991?
Sweden
China
United States
Norway
China hosted the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991, with matches played in Guangdong province. The United States won the tournament by defeating Norway in the final. This event marked the beginning of the premier global competition for women's national teams.
What nickname is commonly used for the Italian national football team?
Die Mannschaft
The Azzurri
Les Bleus
La Albiceleste
The Italian national team is nicknamed 'The Azzurri,' which means 'The Blues' in Italian, reflecting their blue team jerseys. The color stems from the royal House of Savoy's banner, which unified Italy in the 19th century. The nickname is widely used in media and by fans.
Which player holds the record for the most international caps in men's football?
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ahmed Hassan
Lothar Matthäus
Sergio Ramos
Cristiano Ronaldo has amassed over 190 international appearances for Portugal, making him the most-capped male player in history. He surpassed Egypt's Ahmed Hassan and Bader Al-Mutawa to claim the record. Ronaldo continues to extend the tally as an active international.
Who was the first player to score 100 Premier League goals?
Alan Shearer
Sergio Agüero
Wayne Rooney
Thierry Henry
Alan Shearer was the first player to reach 100 goals in the English Premier League, achieving the milestone in November 1998. He set the standard early in the competition's history and remains the league's all-time top scorer. His consistency and poaching ability defined his career.
Which club won the first-ever European Cup in 1956?
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Benfica
Real Madrid won the inaugural European Cup in 1956 by defeating Stade de Reims 4 - 3 in the final. This victory marked the beginning of Madrid's dominance in Europe, as they won the first five editions of the tournament. The competition later became the UEFA Champions League.
Which coach has won the most UEFA Champions League titles?
Pep Guardiola
Bob Paisley
Carlo Ancelotti
Zinedine Zidane
Carlo Ancelotti has won the UEFA Champions League four times - twice with AC Milan (2003, 2007) and twice with Real Madrid (2014, 2022). This achievement makes him the most successful manager in the competition's history. His tactical acumen and adaptability have been key to his success.
Who scored the famous 'Goal of the Century' in the 1986 World Cup?
Gary Lineker
Zico
Diego Maradona
Michel Platini
Diego Maradona scored the 'Goal of the Century' during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England by dribbling past five defenders over 60 meters. FIFA conducted a global poll to name it, and it remains one of the most celebrated goals in football history. It showcased Maradona's extraordinary skill and balance.
In which year did the landmark Bosman ruling on player transfers come into effect?
2000
1992
1998
1995
The Bosman ruling was implemented in December 1995 after the European Court of Justice decision on Jean-Marc Bosman's case. It allowed players in the EU to move freely to another club at the end of their contract without a transfer fee. This fundamentally changed the transfer system in European football.
Which city hosted the final match of the 1974 FIFA World Cup?
Düsseldorf
Munich
Frankfurt
Hamburg
The 1974 World Cup final was played at the Olympiastadion in Munich, West Germany, where the hosts defeated the Netherlands 2 - 1. The stadium was originally built for the 1972 Summer Olympics. This final is remembered for West Germany's tactical prowess under coach Helmut Schön.
Which national side is nicknamed 'Les Bleus'?
France
Belgium
Croatia
Netherlands
The French national football team is nicknamed 'Les Bleus', meaning 'The Blues' in reference to their blue home jerseys. The nickname is widely used by supporters and in media coverage. France has won two FIFA World Cups and multiple European Championships.
Which club won the first FIFA Club World Cup held in 2000?
Corinthians
Vasco da Gama
Manchester United
Real Madrid
The inaugural FIFA Club World Championship took place in January 2000 in Brazil, and Sport Club Corinthians Paulista emerged victorious by defeating Vasco da Gama in a penalty shootout. This competition brought together continental champions from around the world. It was the precursor to the modern FIFA Club World Cup format.
Who scored the fastest hat-trick in FIFA World Cup history?
Guillermo Stábile
László Kiss
Just Fontaine
Sandor Kocsis
László Kiss scored a hat-trick in just seven minutes for Hungary against El Salvador during the 1982 World Cup. This remains the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history. Hungary won the match 10 - 1, which is also the tournament's highest-scoring game.
Which player holds the record for the most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup tournament?
Just Fontaine
Ronaldo Nazário
Leonidas
Gerd Müller
Just Fontaine scored an unprecedented 13 goals for France during the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, a record for the most goals in a single tournament. His tally included multiple braces and a hat-trick. Fontaine's record has stood for over six decades.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Milestones -

    Trace the origins and pivotal moments in the history of the beautiful game through our soccer history quiz, gaining insight into how football evolved from its early days to modern play.

  2. Recall World Cup Trivia -

    Answer targeted world cup trivia questions to reinforce your knowledge of landmark tournaments, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable World Cup moments.

  3. Identify Legendary Players -

    Match names, achievements, and iconic moments of famous soccer players quiz-style to solidify your understanding of the sport's most celebrated talents.

  4. Analyze Iconic Matches -

    Delve into memorable games and apply critical thinking to evaluate the tactics, turning points, and historical significance behind each legendary clash.

  5. Apply Football Trivia Skills -

    Use insights from the football trivia quiz to challenge friends, improve your ranking on the leaderboard, and explore deeper facts about the history of soccer quiz content.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of Modern Soccer -

    The Football Association's 1863 Cambridge Rules unified local variations into modern soccer, setting the stage for organized play (FIFA.com). Remember "FA-63" by picturing '63' as two goalposts and the dash as the crossbar to lock in the year.

  2. Inaugural FIFA World Cup (1930) -

    Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA tournament in 1930, establishing the global stage for soccer history quiz enthusiasts (FIFA Museum archives). Use the simple equation "1Fc=1Ur" (1st World Cup = Uruguay) to cement this fact for football trivia quiz rounds.

  3. Evolution of World Cup Format -

    The World Cup grew from 13 teams in 1930 to 32 teams by 1998, reflecting soccer's worldwide reach (IOC records). Recall "13→16→24→32" as "1-3, 1-6, 2-4, 3-2" to ace any world cup trivia questions about tournament size.

  4. Pele's Three World Titles -

    Legendary Brazilian forward Pele remains the only player with three World Cup wins (1958, 1962, 1970) according to official FIFA stats. Memorize "5-6-7-0" as "P-E-L-E → 5,6,7,0" to score high on famous soccer players quiz segments.

  5. Historic Upsets & Iconic Matches -

    Moments like Uruguay's 1950 "Maracanazo" defeat of Brazil and West Germany's 1954 "Miracle of Bern" define football lore (UEFA research). Tag these as "M-B" mnemonic (Maracanazo-Bern) to dominate any history of soccer quiz upsets section.

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