It was held in Paris in 1994 the first World Cup of Table Football Sport governed by the new Federation International Sports Table Football took place. In February the International Federation has decided that the 16th edition of the World Cup would take place in Manchester, England. The choice of Manchester in England has emerged following the postponement of the organization of the World Cup in Athens, Greece.
The President of the International Federation, Laurent Garnier says «We welcome the opportunity
to host the World Cup in Manchester and also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the creation of FISTF
in the country where it all started with the game Subbuteo in 1947. To organize a World Cup
in Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, is a real challenge. This is a real
opportunity to make a good demonstration to convince the institutions, the media and
the public that we are a real sport. Now we must work hard and to succeed in this great
challenge that will only be possible with the help and support of all. The Etihad Stadium
already offers a beautiful setting, it only remains to provide a showpiece of Table Football.»
The World Cup Sports Table Football is back in England 10 years after Birmingham in 2002.
In the Pre-Olympics period, London will welcome millions of spectators and an international press
coming from all continents, this is your chance to come to Manchester and talk about Sports Table Football.
Yes! Table Football is a Sport!
Table football is a sport and not just a toy. Certainly there is no question here of big muscles or
physical strength that are needed in other sports ! But instead there is skill, technique, self-control,
concentration, tactics, in short, quite a lot in common with other sports, Invented in England in 1947
under the patronymic of Subbuteo, the current Table Football, like many sports, is a true evolution
of the original game.
The game Subbuteo Sport Table Football had almost 5 millions players worldwide.
It was not until 1992 that the creation of a body independent of all business powers was formed
and was governed by representatives elected by the nations. Clubs, leagues, federations,
regional competitions, national and international, have emerged over the past two decades.
It was in France that the bases of the International Federation have been developed.
The FISTF headquarters are located in Les Herbiers - Vendée (France).
