Football is the most popular sport in England.[2] Widely regarded as the birthplace of modern football, the first official rules of the game were established in England in 1863. The country is home to the world's first football league, the oldest national governing body, and the oldest national knockout competition.[2] With over 40,000 football clubs, England has more teams involved in the sport than any other country. The world's first football club, Sheffield F.C., and the oldest professional club, Notts County, were both founded in England.[3]
The influence of the British Empire helped spread football across the globe, shaping the development of the modern Laws of the Game. England's domestic football scene remains one of the strongest in the world, with the Premier League ranking among the richest and most popular leagues globally. As of 2022, five of the ten richest football clubs were English.[4] Football remains deeply ingrained in English culture, with 31% of the population expressing an interest in the sport.[5]
The England national football team is one of only eight teams to have won the FIFA World Cup, lifting the trophy once, in 1966. The team played in the first international match in 1872 and has since qualified for the World Cup 16 times.[6][7] English club teams have also enjoyed success on the European stage, with six clubs winning the UEFA Champions League, previously known as the European Cup.
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