Northern Ireland Football

The History of Northern Ireland Football

Northern Ireland football dates back to the 1880s when clubs were formed in the Belfast area. The Irish Football Association (IFA) was established in 1880 and quickly became the governing body for football in the whole of Ireland. Northern Ireland has produced many great football players throughout its history, playing at a high level internationally since the 1950s. The most successful era of Northern Ireland's football history was during the 1980s, when Billy Bingham managed the team to two World Cup tournaments. Northern Ireland has also produced a strong domestic league, with Linfield FC being the most successful team in the country's history, having won a record 54 league titles.

The Current State of Northern Ireland Football

The current state of Northern Ireland football is positive, with the national team punching above their weight internationally under the management of Michael O'Neill. Northern Ireland qualified for the European Championships in 2016, their first major tournament in 30 years, and repeated the feat for the UEFA Nations League in 2018. The domestic league, the NIFL Premiership, includes twelve teams, with Linfield FC being the current title-holders. Despite being a much smaller country than their neighbours, Northern Ireland continues to produce talented footballers, with the likes of Jonny Evans, Steven Davis, and Kyle Lafferty representing the country at the highest level.