German Football Association facts for kids
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| Full name | Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Short name | DFB |
| Founded | 28 January 1900 in Leipzig |
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| Headquarters | Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| FIFA affiliation | 1904 |
| UEFA affiliation | 1954 |
| President | Bernd Neuendorf |
The German Football Association (known in German as Deutscher Fußball-Bund, or DFB) is the main organization for football, futsal, and beach soccer in Germany. It was one of the first members of both FIFA (the world football body) and UEFA (the European football body).
The DFB is in charge of Germany's football leagues and manages the men's and women's national teams. Its main office is in Frankfurt am Main. The DFB works with the German Football League (DFL), which organizes the top professional leagues like the Bundesliga. It also works with five regional and 21 state associations that manage semi-professional and amateur football. With over 25,000 clubs and more than 6.8 million members, the DFB is the largest sports organization in the world!
Contents
History of German Football
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Early Days (1875-1900)
In Germany, football first started around 1875, played with rugby rules. Later, teams began playing association-style football. By the 1890s, these teams started organizing themselves into regional and national groups.
Founding the DFB (1900-1933)
The DFB was officially created on January 28, 1900, in Leipzig. Representatives from 86 clubs came together to form the association. Ferdinand Hueppe became its first president. The DFB helped bring together many regional football competitions under one national championship.
Germany joined FIFA in September 1904 as the eighth nation. The German national team played its very first game in 1908. Before 1914, Germany's borders were different from today. This meant that some teams from areas that are now other countries, like parts of Bohemia, could play in German championships.
Football During Difficult Times (1933-1945)
During the period of Nazi Germany, the DFB had to change its structure. It became part of a new national sports organization. Football continued to be played, but the DFB lost much of its independence.
After Austria became part of Germany in 1938, Austrian players also joined the German national team. Germany played international games until 1942, even during World War II.
Rebuilding After the War (1945-1963)
After World War II, German organizations were dissolved. FIFA banned the DFB from international competitions for a while. However, the DFB was re-established in Stuttgart on January 21, 1950, by the West German regional associations.
FIFA officially welcomed the DFB back on September 22, 1950. This meant Germany could play international games again. The East German Football Association was recognized by FIFA in 1952.
A huge moment for the DFB was when West Germany won the 1954 World Cup. This victory made football incredibly popular in Germany.
Modern Era (1963-Present)
For a long time, German football had an amateur structure. This meant players were not paid professionals. After disappointing results in the 1962 FIFA World Cup, the DFB decided to create a single professional league. This new league, the Bundesliga, started in the 1963–64 season.
Germany has hosted the FIFA World Cup twice, in 1974 and 2006. They also hosted the 1988 European Championship. After Germany was reunified in 1990, the East German football association joined the DFB.
The men's national team has won the World Cup four times (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014). They have also won the European Championship three times (1972, 1980, 1996).
The DFB has also helped Germany become a top power in women's football. The women's national team won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003 and 2007. They are the only nation to have won both the Men's and Women's World Cups, until Spain did so in 2023. The women's team has also won the UEFA Women's Championship eight times!
In 1990, the DFB started the women's Bundesliga, a professional league for women. German clubs have been very successful in the UEFA Women's Champions League, winning seven titles with four different clubs.
Since 2005, the DFB has given out the "Julius-Hirsch-Preis." This award honors efforts in German football that promote integration and tolerance. Germany will host UEFA Euro 2024.
What People Say About the DFB
Some people criticize the DFB for not being very open about its decisions. They also say that football has become too focused on making money. Christian Prechtl from a fan group called FC PlayFair! said that the men's national team became less popular because the DFB "lost sight of the fans."
How the DFB is Organized
Members
The DFB's direct members are its five regional associations and 21 state associations, along with the German Football League. The football clubs themselves are members of these state associations. Today, over 25,000 clubs are part of these state associations. They have nearly 170,000 teams with more than two million active players. In total, the DFB has over six million members, making it the biggest sports federation in the world! It also includes 870,000 female members and 8,600 female teams.
Regional and State Associations
The DFB is divided into five main regional associations. These are then split into 21 state associations. Usually, these associations follow the borders of Germany's states. However, some states, like North Rhine-Westphalia, have more than one state association.
Southern Germany
The Southern German Football Association (SFV) covers the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. It was formed in 1897. After World War II, it managed the top regional league, the Oberliga Süd, until the Bundesliga started in 1963. Now, it helps manage the Regionalliga Südwest, a step 4 league. Its state associations are:
- Baden Football Association (BFV)
- Bavarian Football Association (BFV)
- Hessian Football Association (HFV)
- South Baden Football Association (SBFV)
- Württemberg Football Association (WFV)
Southwestern Germany
The Southwestern Regional Football Association (FRVS) covers Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. It was created after World War II. Before the Bundesliga, its top league was the Oberliga Südwest. Now, it helps manage the Regionalliga Südwest and also runs the Oberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar, a step 5 league. Its state associations are:
- Rhineland Football Association (FVR)
- Saarland Football Association (SFV)
- Southwest German Football Association (SWFV)
Western Germany
The Western German Football Association (WDFV) covers North Rhine-Westphalia. It used to manage the Western German football championship. From 1947 to 1963, its highest league was the Oberliga West. Since 2008, the WDFV has been in charge of the Regionalliga West, a step 4 league. Its state associations are:
- Middle Rhine Football Association (FVM)
- Lower Rhine Football Association (FVN)
- Westphalia Football and Athletics Association (FLVW)
Northern Germany
The Northern German Football Association (NFV) covers Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. It used to manage the Northern German football championship. From 1947 to 1963, its top league was the Oberliga Nord. Since 1994, the NFV has been in charge of the Regionalliga Nord, a step 4 league. Its state associations are:
- Bremen Football Association (BFV)
- Hamburg Football Association (HFV)
- Lower Saxony Football Association (NFV)
- Schleswig-Holstein Football Association (SHFV)
Northeastern Germany
The Northeastern German Football Association (NOFV) is the newest regional association. It covers Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. It was formed after Germany reunited in 1990. Since 2012, the NOFV has managed the Regionalliga Nordost (step 4) and the Oberliga Nordost (step 5). Its state associations are:
- Brandenburg Football Association (FLB)
- Berlin Football Association (BFV)
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Football Association (LFVM)
- Saxony Football Association (SFV)
- Saxony-Anhalt Football Association (FSA)
- Thuringian Football Association (TFV)
Presidents
- Ferdinand Hueppe (1900–1904)
- Friedrich Wilhelm Nohe (1904–1905)
- Gottfried Hinze (1905–1925)
- Felix Linnemann (1925–1940)
- Peco Bauwens (1950–1962)
- Hermann Gösmann (1962–1975)
- Hermann Neuberger (1975–1992)
- Egidius Braun (1992–2001)
- Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (2001–2004)
- Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder and Theo Zwanziger (2004–2006)
- Theo Zwanziger (2006–2012)
- Wolfgang Niersbach (2012–2015)
- Acting: Rainer Koch and Reinhard Rauball (2015–2016)
- Reinhard Grindel (2016–2019)
- Acting: Rainer Koch and Reinhard Rauball (2019)
- Fritz Keller (2019–2021)
- Acting: Rainer Koch and Peter Peters (2021–2022)
- Bernd Neuendorf (2022–present)
Administration
The DFB's main office is in Frankfurt am Main. It is led by the Secretary General, Friedrich Curtius, and managing directors like Heike Ullrich, Oliver Bierhoff, and Markus Holzherr.
Men's Team Achievements
Major Competitions
- Champions (4): 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
- Runners-up (4): 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002
- Third place (4): 1934, 1970, 2006, 2010
- Fourth place (1): 1958
- Gold Medal (1): 1976
- Silver Medal (2): 1980, 2016
- Bronze Medal (3): 1964, 1972, 1988
- Fourth place (1): 1952
| Overview | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place |
| FIFA World Cup | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| UEFA European Championship | 3 | 3 | 3 | x |
| Summer Olympic Games | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Nations League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 9 | 11 | 2 |
Women's Team Achievements
Major Competitions
- Champions (8): 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013
- Runners-up (1): 2022
- Fourth place (1): 1993
- Gold Medal (1): 2016
- Bronze Medal (3): 2000, 2004, 2008
| Overview | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place |
| FIFA Women's World Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| UEFA Women's Championship | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Summer Olympic Games | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 11 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
DFB Mascot
The DFB's official mascot is an eagle with black feathers and a yellow beak. Its name is "Paule" and it has been the mascot since March 26, 2006.
See also
In Spanish: Federación Alemana de Fútbol para niños
- German football league system
- German Football Museum
- History of German football
