German Football Association

The German Football Association (German: Deutscher Fußball-Bund; DFB) is the group that helps run football, futsal, and beach soccer in Germany. It is one of the original members of both FIFA and UEFA, and it takes care of the German football league system and the country's men's and women's national teams. The DFB's main office is located in Frankfurt am Main.

The DFB is made up of the German Football League (German: Deutsche Fußball Liga; DFL), which runs the top professional leagues like the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga, as well as five regional groups and 21 state groups. These groups include many clubs with over 8 million members, making the DFB the largest sports group in the world.

History

The German Football Association (DFB) is the group that controls soccer in Germany. It was created on January 28, 1900, in Leipzig by leaders from 86 clubs. Ferdinand Hueppe became its first leader. The DFB brought together many local competitions into one national title starting in the 1902/03 season.

Germany was not part of FIFA when it started in 1904, but joined later that year as the eighth member. The German national team played its first match in 1908. Before World War I, Germany was larger and included areas like Alsace-Lorraine and Bohemia. After the war and changes from the Treaty of Versailles, the DFB had to adjust its structure.

During the Nazi time, the DFB followed the new rulers. Some people, including Jewish players, were not allowed to play. After World War II, the DFB was stopped from international games until 1950 when it was restarted in Stuttgart. Germany won the World Cup in 1954, which was a big moment for the sport in the country.

In 1963, the DFB created the Bundesliga, a national professional league. Germany has hosted the World Cup and the European Championship several times. The national team has won the World Cup four times and the European Championship three times. The women's team has also done very well, winning World Cups and European Championships many times.

Since 2005, the DFB has given an award in memory of Julius Hirsch, a player who faced terrible treatment during history, to honor respect and kindness in soccer. By 2025, the DFB had over eight million members.

Competitions

Structure

Members

The German Football Association, called the DFB, has five big groups and 21 smaller groups as its main members. Clubs in the German football league system join these smaller groups. Today, over 25,000 clubs are part of these groups. They have nearly 170,000 teams and more than two million players, making the DFB the biggest sports group in the world. It has over 870,000 men and 8,600 women playing.

Regional and state associations

The DFB is split into five big areas, and each area has 21 smaller groups. These areas mostly match the borders of Germany’s states. Some states like North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg have more than one smaller group.

Southern Germany

The Southern German Football Association looks after Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse. It started in 1897 and used to run a big championship until 1933. After World War II, it helped start a top league called the Oberliga Süd. In 2012, it began helping to run the Regionalliga Südwest, which is a lower league. It includes groups from Baden, Bavaria, Hesse, South Baden, and Württemberg.

Southwestern Germany

The Southwestern Regional Football Association looks after Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. It started after World War II and used to run the Oberliga Südwest. Now, it helps run the Regionalliga Südwest and another league called the Oberliga Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar. It includes groups from Rhineland, Saarland, and Southwest Germany.

Western Germany

The Western German Football Association looks after North Rhine-Westphalia. It used to run a championship and later the Oberliga West. Since 2008, it has helped run the Regionalliga West. It includes groups from Middle Rhine, Lower Rhine, and Westphalia.

Northern Germany

The Northern German Football Association looks after Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. It used to run a championship and later the Oberliga Nord. Since 1994, it has helped run the Regionalliga Nord. It includes groups from Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein.

Northeastern Germany

The Northeastern German Football Association looks after Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. It formed after Germany reunited in 1990. It helps run the Regionalliga Nordost and the Oberliga Nordost. It includes groups from Brandenburg, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.

Presidents

The DFB has had many leaders over the years, starting with Ferdinand Hueppe from 1900 to 1904, and the current leader is Bernd Neuendorf, who has been in charge since 2022.

Administration

The DFB’s main office is in Frankfurt (Main). It is led by Secretary General Friedrich Curtius and includes managers like Oliver Bierhoff.

Men's Honours

Main article: Germany national football team

The German men's football team has achieved great success in many important competitions. They have won the FIFA World Cup four times and have been runners-up four times as well. In the UEFA European Championship, they have won three times and been runners-up three times. At the Summer Olympic Games, they have earned one gold medal, two silver medals, and three bronze medals. They also won the FIFA Confederations Cup once and placed third once. In the UEFA Nations League, they finished in fourth place once.

Women's Honours

Main article: Germany women's national football team

The German women's national football team has achieved many great successes in international competitions. They have won the FIFA Women's World Cup two times and have been runners-up once. In the UEFA Women's European Championship, they have won eight times and were runners-up once. At the Summer Olympic Games, the team has won one gold medal and four bronze medals. They also secured third place in the UEFA Women's Nations League once.

DFB Mascot

The official mascot is an eagle with black feathers and a yellow beak named "Paule". This mascot has been used since March 26, 2006.

DFB Play

DFB Play is a free streaming service made by the German Football Association. It lets fans watch live matches, highlights, and other videos from the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) and more football competitions in Germany.

Completions

• DFB-Pokal
• 3. Liga
• Frauen-Bundesliga
• DFB-Pokal Frauen