The beautiful game of association football has a long and colourful history. We wanted to depict this in a map that shows the oldest active football clubs of each country in the world (where data permits).
From our research we have uncovered lots of unsung heroes of football. Teams that are the founding members of the now most popular and most played competitive sport in the world, paved the way for others to contribute and dominate the sport in their own countries and worldwide.
Not only have we created a full world map of the oldest football clubs in the world, but we’ve also created maps for each continent. Quick links to each graphic is listed below:
Europe
Asia
Middle East
North America
South America
Australia & Oceania
Ten Oldest Football Clubs In The World
#1 – Sheffield FC (1857)
#2 – Lima CFC (1859)
#3 – Wrexham (1864)
#4 – Queens Park (1867)
#5 – Calcutta FC (1872)
#6 – Club Mercedes (1875)
#7 – Launceston FC (1875)
#8 – Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (1876)
#9 – Clifftonville (1879)
#10 – Koninklijke Haarlemsche (1879)
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Oldest Existing Football Clubs In Europe
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Albania – KF Vllaznia Shkodër (1930)
The oldest club still in existence today in Albania is KF Vllaznia Shkodër. They were founded back in 1919 and have competed in the top flight of Albanian football since 1930. They are one of the most successful Albanian club football teams.
Andorra – FC Andorra (1942)
FC Andorra was set up in 1942 and is the oldest professional club in Andorra today.
Austria – First Vienna FC (1894)
First Vienna FC was founded back in 1894 and is Austria’s oldest existing football club.
Belarus – FC Dinamo Minsk – (1927)
FC Dinamo Minskwas founded in 1927, making it the oldest existing team in Belarus. The Belarusian club is based in the capital city of Minsk.
It was founded in 1927 as part of the Soviet Dinamo Sports Society, and was the only club from the Byelorussian SSR that competed in the Soviet Top League.
Belgium – FC Antwerp – (1880)
FC Antwerp is the oldest football club in Belgium and one of the oldest in Europe. They were formed in 1880 as Antwerp Cricket Club by English students who lived in Antwerp, 15 years before to the creation of the Royal Belgian Football Association.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – HŠK Zrinjski Mostar – (1905)
HŠK Zrinjski Mostar was founded in 1905. They plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They have been one of the top teams in the country over the last few years.
Bulgaria – FC Dorostol Silistra – (1902)
The oldest existing club in Bulgaria is FC Dorostol Silistra. They were founded in 1902 and was originally affiliated with the Bulgarian school in Silistra, whose students founded the sports society “Strela”, meaning arrow in Bulgarian.
Croatia – HNK Segesta – (1906)
HNK Segesta was founded in 1906 and is based in the city of Sisak. It is named after the Illyrian settlement Segesta from which modern city of Sisak developed.
Cyprus – Anorthosis Famagusta FC – (1911)
Anorthosis Famagusta FC is Cyprus’ oldest football team that is still active today. They were founded in 1911 and are known as Anorthosis. They are a Cypriot football, basketball, handball futsal and volleyball club.
They were originally based in Famagusta, but are now based in Larnaca. This was due to the Turkish Invasion in 1974.
Denmark – Kjøbenhavns Boldklub – (1876)
Denmark’s oldest football club is Kjøbenhavns Boldklub. They were found in 1876 and is the oldest football club on continental Europe.
England – Sheffield FC – (1857)
Sheffield Football Club is not only the oldest football club in England and in Europe, but it is also the oldest in the world. Sheffield FC was established in 1857.
In 1855, members of a Sheffield cricket club organised an informal kick-abouts without any official rules. Subsequently, two members, Nathaniel Creswick and William Prest, formed the Sheffield Football Club.
Estonia – FC Meteor Tallinn – 1908
FC Meteor Tallinn was founded in 1908, making it the oldest football club in Estonia.
Finland – Helsingin Ponnistus – 1887
Helsingin Ponnistus was formed in 1887. It is the oldest football club in Finland and currently plays in the Kolmonen (Third Division) and their home ground is at the Töölön Pallokenttä.
France – Le Havre AC – 1872
Le Havre AC is the oldest existing football club in France. It was founded in 1872 as an athletics and rugby club. Le Harve AC made their debut in France’s first football championship in 1899.
Georgia – FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti- (1913)
FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti is the oldest existing Georgian football club. They’re based in Poti, and play their football in the Erovnuli Liga 2. They play their home games at Fazisi Stadium.
Germany – BFC Germania 1888
BFC Germany is Germany’s oldest active football club. They were founded in 1888. The club was founded by 17-year-old Paul Jestram, his three brothers, and a number of their schoolmates.
Greece – Panionios FC (1890)
Panionios FC is a professional Greek football club which was founded in 1890 in İzmir, Ottoman Empire. It is the oldest active football club in Greece.
Panionios FC competes in the Greek Second Division. They play at the Nea Smyrni Stadium.
Hungary – Újpest FC (1885)
Újpest FC is a professional Hungarian football team based in Újpest, Budapest. Újpest FC is part of the Újpesti TE family of sports clubs which include ice hockey and waterpolo.
Iceland – KR Reykjavik – 1899
KR Reykjavik (full name: Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur) was founded in 1899 and is the oldest football club in Iceland. It is also the most successful football team in Iceland.
Ireland – Cliftonville FC – 1879
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is an Northern Irish semi-professional association football club. They play in the NIFL Premiership.
The club was founded in 1879 by John McAlery, in north Belfast. It is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2019.
Italy – Genoa – 1893
Genoa is a professional football club in Italy. They were founded in 1893 and is the oldest Italian football team to be still active to this day.
Kosovo – FC Prishtina (1922)
FC Prishtina is a professional football club based in Pristina, Kosovo. They are the oldest active football club in Kosovo and the most successful.
Latvia – FC Daugava – 1944
FC Daugava is a Latvian football club, based at the Daugava Stadium, in Daugavpils. They were founded in 1944 and is the oldest active football club in Latvia.
Lithuania – FK Žalgiris – 1947
Luxembourg – CS Fola Esch – 1906
Founded in 1906 by the English language teacher Jean Roeder, Fola was the first football club in Luxembourg and the oldest currently active football club.
Malta – St. George’s FC – 1890
St. George’s FC was founded in 1890 and is Malta’s oldest football club that is still active today. The Maltese football club is based in the city of Cospicua.
Netherlands – Koninklijke HFC (1879)
Koninklijke Haarlemsche Football Club (Royal Haarlemsche Football Club) is a football club based in Haarlem, Netherlands. It is the oldest existing club in Dutch football, founded by Pim Mulier in 1879.
Norway – Odds Ballklubb (1894)
Odds Ballklubb, commonly known as Odd, was founded in 1885 and is the oldest football clubs in Norway still in existence. The club is from Skien. Originally the football section of a multi-sports club, founded in 1894 nine years after the club’s founding.
Poland – KS Cracovia (1906)
Cracovia is the oldest Polish football club still in existence. The club is based in Kraków and is commonly known simply as Cracovia.
Portugal – Académica De Coimbra (1876)
The club was created in 1887, when Clube Atlético de Coimbra (founded in 1861) and Academia Dramática (founded in 1837) merged. They are the oldest existing football club in Portugal.
Romania – FC Unirea Dej- 1921
Fotbal Club Unirea Dej, commonly known as Unirea Dej, is a Romanian professional football club from Dej in Romania and were founded in 1921.
Russia – FC Znamya Truda Orekhovo-Zuyevo – 1909
Znamya Truda is the oldest now-playing club in Russia. They were founded in 1909.
Scotland – Queens Park – 1867
Queens Park is the oldest football club in Scotland and one of the oldest in the world. They were founded in 1867.
Serbia – FK Bask – 1903
FK Bask – 1903
Slovakia – Tatran Prešov – 1898
Tatran Prešov – 1898
Slovenia – ND Ilirija – (1911)
Spain – Recreativo De Huelva – 1889
Sweden – Örgryte IS – (1887)
Örgryte IS – (1887)
Switzerland – FC St.Gallen – 1879
FC St.Gallen is the oldest football club in Switzerland. They were founded in 1879.
Turkey – Kurtuluş S.K 1896
Kurtuluş S.K is a Turkish football club that was founded in 1896. It is the oldest existing football club in Turkey.
Ukraine – FC Dynamo Kyiv 1927
FC Dynamo Kyiv is a professional Ukrainian football team that would founded in 1927.
Wales – Wrexham FC – 1864
Wrexham FC was founded in 1864 and is the oldest existing football club in Wales.
Oldest Existing Football Clubs In Africa
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Algeria 🇩🇿 – CAL Oran – (1897)
CAL Oran – (1897)
Angola 🇦🇴 – C.R.D. Libolo – 1942
C.R.D. Libolo – 1942
Botswana – Mogoditshane Fighters – 1925
Mogoditshane Fighters – 1925
Burkina Faso. 🇧🇫 – ASFA Yennenga – 1947
ASFA Yennenga – 1947
Cameroon – Oryx Douala – 1927
Oryx Douala – 1927
Central African Republic 🇨🇫 (CAR) – AS Tempête Mocaf – 1940
AS Tempête Mocaf
Chad – Renaissance FC – (1954)
Renaissance FC – (1954)
Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩 – FC Lubumbashi Sport – (1929)
FC Lubumbashi Sport – (1929)
Egypt 🇪🇬 – Gezira SC – 1882
Gezira SC – 1882
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) – Manzini Wanderers FC – 1957
Manzini Wanderers FC – 1957
Ethiopia 🇪🇹 – Saint George SC – 1935
Saint George SC – 1935
Gabon 🇬🇦 – US Bitam – (1947)
US Bitam – (1947)
Ghana 🇬🇭 – Heart Of Oak – (1911)
Heart Of Oak – (1911)
Guinea 🇬🇳 – Hafia FC – (1951)
Hafia FC – (1951)
Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼 – EN Bolama – (1937)
EN Bolama – (1937)
Kenya 🇰🇪 – AFC Leopards – (1964)
AFC Leopards – (1964)
Liberia 🇱🇷 – Invincible Eleven (1943)
Invincible Eleven (1943)
Libya 🇱🇾 – Al-Ahly Benghazi – (1947)
Al-Ahly Benghazi – (1947)
Madagascar 🇲🇬 – AS Fortior – 1962
AS Fortior – 1962
Malawi 🇲🇼 – Mighty Wanderers FC – 1962
Mighty Wanderers FC – 1962
Mali 🇲🇱 – Stade Malien (1960)
Stade Malien (1960)
Mauritania 🇲🇷 – AS Armée Nationale – (1960)
AS Armée Nationale – (1960)
Morocco – Racing de Casablanca – 1917
Racing de Casablanca – 1917
Mozambique 🇲🇿 – Club de Desportos do Maxaquene – (1920)
Club de Desportos do Maxaquene – (1920)
Namibia 🇳🇦 – Nkana F.C. – (1935)
Nkana F.C. – (1935)
Nigeria 🇳🇬 – Stationary Stores FC – (1958)
Stationary Stores FC – (1958)
Senegal 🇸🇳 – ASC Jeanne d’Arc – (1923)
ASC Jeanne d’Arc – (1923)
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 – East End Lions FC – 1928
East End Lions FC – 1928
Somalia 🇸🇴 – Jenyo United FC – (1948)
Jenyo United FC – (1948)
South Africa 🇿🇦 – Savages FC – 1882
Savages FC – 1882
Sudan 🇸🇩 – Al-Merrikh SC – 1908
Al-Merrikh SC – 1908
Swaziland 🇸🇿 – Manzini Wanderers FC – (1957)
Manzini Wanderers FC – (1957)
Tanzania 🇹🇿 – Young Africans S.C. – (1935)
Young Africans S.C. – (1935)
Togo 🇹🇬 – Étoile Filante – (1932)
Étoile Filante – (1932)
Tunisia 🇹🇳 – ES Tunis – (1919)
ES Tunis – (1919)
Uganda 🇺🇬 – Express FC – (1957)
Express FC – (1957)
Zambia 🇿🇲 – Nkana F.C. – 1935
Nkana F.C. – 1935
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 – Highlander FC – 1926
Highlander FC – 1926
Oldest Football Clubs In Asia
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Afghanistan 🇦🇫 – Ariana Kabul F.C.- (1941)
Ariana Kabul F.C.- (1941)
Armenia 🇦🇲 – FC Ararat Yerevan(1935)
FC Ararat Yerevan(1935)
Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 – Neftçi PFK – (1937)
Neftçi PFK – (1937)
Bangladesh 🇧🇩 – Rahmatganj MFS – (1933)
Rahmatganj MFS – (1933)
Brunei 🇧🇳 – Indera SC – 1970
Indera SC – 1970
China 🇨🇳 – South China AA- (1910)
South China AA- (1910)
India 🇮🇳 – Calcutta FC – (1872)
Calcutta FC – (1872)
Indonesia 🇮🇩 – PSM Makassar- (1915)
PSM Makassar- (1915)
Iran 🇮🇷 – Bargh Shiraz F.C. – (1946)
Bargh Shiraz F.C. – (1946)
Japan 🇯🇵 – Yokohama Country & Athletic Club – (1884)
Yokohama Country & Athletic Club – (1884)
Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 – FC Dinamo Almaty – (1937)
FC Dinamo Almaty – (1937)
Malaysia 🇲🇾 – Penang FA- (1920)
Penang FA- (1920)
Myanmar 🇲🇲 (formerly Burma) – Mountain Lion Football Club- 1924
Mountain Lion Football Club- 1924
Nepal 🇳🇵 – Rani Pokhari Corner(1932)
Rani Pokhari Corner(1932)
North Korea 🇰🇵 – Amrokkang S.C – (1947)
Amrokkang S.C – (1947)
Pakistan 🇵🇰 – K-Electric FC – (1913)
K-Electric FC – (1913)
Philippines 🇵🇭 – Bohemian S.C – (1910)
Bohemian S.C – (1910)
South Korea 🇰🇷 – Daejeon Korail FC -(1961)
Daejeon Korail FC -(1961)
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 – Saunders SC – 1918
Saunders SC – 1918
Thailand 🇹🇭 – Army United – (1916)
Army United – (1916)
Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 – FK Köpetdag – (1947)
FK Köpetdag – (1947)
Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 – Kokand 1912 – (1912)
Kokand 1912 – (1912)
Vietnam 🇻🇳 – Haiphong FC – (1952)
Haiphong FC – (1952)
Oldest Football Clubs In Middle East
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Iraq 🇮🇶 – Air Force Club – (1931)
Israel 🇮🇱 – Maccabi Tel Aviv – (1906)
Jordan 🇯🇴 – Al-Ahli SC – (1944)
Kuwait 🇰🇼 – Al-Arabi SC – (1953)
Lebanon 🇱🇧 – Racing Beirut – (1935)
Oman 🇴🇲 – Oman Club – (1942)
Qatar 🇶🇦 – Al-Ahli SC – (1950)
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 – Ittihad Jeddah Football Club – (1927)
Syria 🇸🇾 – Al-Karamah SC – 1928
United Arab Emirates (UAE) 🇦🇪 – Al Nasr – 1945
Yemen 🇾🇪 – Al-Tilal SC – 1905
Oldest Football Clubs In North America
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United States of America 🇺🇸 – Beadling – 1898
Mexico 🇲🇽 – CF Pachuca – 1901
Guatemala 🇬🇹 – Tipografía Nacional – 1924
Nicaragua 🇳🇮 – Diriangén FC – 1917
Panama 🇵🇦 – C.D. Plaza Amador – 1955
Honduras 🇭🇳 – Club Deportivo Olimpia – 1912
Belize 🇧🇿 – Verdes FC – 1976
Cuba 🇨🇺 – FC La Habana – 1915
Oldest Football Clubs In South America
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Argentina 🇦🇷 – Club Mercedes – 1875
Bolivia 🇧🇴 – Oruro Royal – 1896
Brazil 🇧🇷 – Sport Club Rio Grande – 1900
Chile 🇨🇱 – Santiago Wanderers – 1892
Colombia 🇨🇴 – Independiente Medellín – 1913
Ecuador 🇪🇨 – C.S. Patria – 1908
Club Sport Patria is an Ecuadorian football club based in Guayaquil. Patria was one of the first football clubs founded in Ecuador. It is currently the oldest active football team in the country. In 1906 a group of young men from Guayaquil decided to set up their own sports club. Two years later they officially founded the sports club and Club Sport Patria was born.
Guyana 🇬🇾 – Georgetown F.C. – 1902
Georgetown FC is a Guyanese football club that competes in the GFF Elite League, the top tier of Guyanese football. It is the oldest active football club in Guyana. It was founded in 1902.
Paraguay 🇵🇾 – Club Olimpia- 1902
Club Olimpia is the oldest active club in Paraguay. It was founded in 1902 by a Dutchman called William Paats, who introduced the sport to the South American country. He is known in Paraguay as the Gradfather of football.
Peru 🇵🇪 – Lima CFC – 1859
Lima CFC is a Peruvian cricket and football club based in the country’s capital city. It is both the oldest cricket and football club in South America.
Suriname 🇸🇷 – SV Voorwaarts – 1919
SV Voorwaarts is a football club from Paramaribo, Suriname, and is the country’s oldest active football club.
Uruguay 🇺🇾 – Albion F.C – 1891
Venezuela 🇻🇪 – Deportivo Petare F.C. – 1948
The Petare Fútbol Club (until summer 2010 called Deportivo Italia Fútbol Club and known as Deportivo Petare Fútbol Club until summer 2015) is a Venezuelan football club based in Caracas. It is the oldest active football club in Venezuela.
Oldest Football Clubs In Australia & Oceania
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Australia 🇦🇺 Balgownie Rangers FC – 1883
New Zealand 🇳🇿 – Wellington FC – 1892
Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 University Inter F.C- 1969
Tasmania – Launceston FC – 1855
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