Table Football

Miniature football played on a table with rotating rods and figurines — a bar-and-cafe classic worldwide.

👥1 per team🌤indoor

What is Table Football?

Table football (foosball, kicker) is a tabletop sport in which players spin rods holding figurines to strike a small ball into the opposing goal. Formats vary across the American, French, Italian and German styles, each with their own tables and grip conventions. World championships are contested annually by the ITSF.

Quick facts

Category

Ball Sports

Type

Individual

Players

1 per team

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Estimated origin

1921, Harold Searles Thornton, patented in the UK

Olympic

No

Popularity

global

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-20.verified