FootballTrivia Questions & Answers
81 football trivia questions, each with the correct answer and a short explanation.
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Each question reveals the answer and a quick explanation below it.
1. How many points is a touchdown worth in American football (before extra point)?
Answer: 6. A touchdown is worth six points.
2. In American football, how many points is a field goal worth?
Answer: 3. A field goal is worth three points.
3. Which football (soccer) player scored in both the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cup finals?
Answer: Lothar Matthäus. Lothar Matthäus scored in the 1986 final (West Germany vs Argentina) and again in the 1990 final (West Germany vs Argentina).
4. Which NFL team won Super Bowl I in January 1967?
Answer: Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 to win Super Bowl I.
5. In American football, what is the name of the play where the quarterback fakes a handoff and keeps the ball?
Answer: Play-action. A play-action fakes a run to draw defenders before the quarterback passes or keeps it.
6. In American football, how many points does a safety score for the defending team?
Answer: 2. A safety awards 2 points to the defense and also grants them possession via a free kick, making it a rare but pivotal play.
7. In American football, how many points is a safety worth?
Answer: 2. A safety scores 2 points for the defensive team when an offensive player is tackled with the ball in their own end zone.
8. Which country has won the most FIFA World Cup titles in history through 2022?
Answer: Brazil. Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), more than any other nation.
9. In American football, what is the maximum number of players one team can have on the field during a standard play?
Answer: 11. Each team fields exactly 11 players per play in American football; having 12 or more results in a penalty for too many men on the field.
10. In American football, what penalty is called when an offensive lineman moves illegally before the snap of the ball?
Answer: False start. A false start is called when an offensive player makes a sudden movement simulating the snap before the ball is actually snapped, resulting in a 5-yard penalty.
11. In American football, what is the term for a defensive back who intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown?
Answer: Pick-six. A pick-six refers specifically to an interception (pick) returned for a touchdown (six points) by the defensive team.
12. In American football, what is the maximum number of players an NFL team may have on its active game-day roster?
Answer: 46. NFL teams carry a 53-man roster but must designate 46 active players on game day; the other 7 are inactive and cannot participate.
13. In American football, what is the term for a kick where the receiving team cannot advance the ball?
Answer: Free kick. A 'free kick' follows a safety; however, a 'fair catch' signal allows the returner to catch without being tackled — the kick itself is simply a punt or kickoff. Actually, the play where a receiver signals 'fair catch' and then the team may attempt a 'fair catch kick' for a field goal is the rare rule; the kick type signaled by a fair catch opportunity is the 'fair catch kick.'
14. Which footballer scored the winning goal in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final for England against West Germany?
Answer: Geoff Hurst. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final, with his fourth goal — England's fourth — clinching the 4–2 victory in extra time.
15. The first forward pass in American football's NFL was thrown in 1906 under new rules. What was the primary reason the rule was introduced?
Answer: To reduce deaths and injuries from mass-formation plays. President Roosevelt threatened to ban football after a wave of deaths from brutal mass plays; the forward pass was legalised in 1906 to open up and safer the game.
16. Which football club did Johan Cruyff NOT manage during his managerial career?
Answer: Feyenoord. Johan Cruyff managed Ajax, Barcelona, and the Catalonia national team, but never managed Feyenoord — the great rival of his beloved Ajax — as a head coach.
17. Which NFL quarterback threw the most touchdown passes in a single regular season before Tom Brady's 2007 record?
Answer: Dan Marino. Dan Marino threw 48 touchdown passes in the 1984 season, a record that stood for 20 years until Peyton Manning threw 49 in 2004, before Brady threw 50 in 2007.
18. In American football, how many points does a safety score for the defensive team?
Answer: 2. A safety awards 2 points to the defensive team and also gives them possession of the ball via a free kick.
19. In American football, what is the maximum number of players allowed on the field for the kicking team during a punt?
Answer: 11. NFL rules require exactly 11 players per side on the field during any play, including punts; fielding 12 results in a penalty.
20. The 1950 FIFA World Cup final round saw which nation stun Brazil in the decisive match, now called the 'Maracanazo'?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay defeated Brazil 2–1 in the decisive final-round match at the Maracanã, an upset known as the 'Maracanazo.'
21. Which footballer won the Ballon d'Or in 1966 — the only Soviet player ever to receive the award?
Answer: Lev Yashin. Lev Yashin, the legendary Soviet goalkeeper known as the 'Black Spider,' won the 1963 Ballon d'Or — the only goalkeeper and Soviet player to ever win it.
22. In American football, what specific infraction results in a 'safety' being scored by the defense?
Answer: All of the above can result in a safety. A safety is awarded when the offense causes a dead ball in its own end zone; this includes a tackle, intentional grounding, or a hold called in the end zone.
23. In American football, a safety scores 2 points. Which team receives the subsequent free kick?
Answer: The team that scored the safety. After a safety, the team that scored the 2 points receives a free kick from the opponent's 20-yard line, giving them possession.
24. In American football, what penalty specifically results in an automatic first down regardless of yardage gained?
Answer: Defensive holding. Defensive holding grants the offense an automatic first down in addition to a 5-yard penalty, regardless of the down and distance situation.
25. In American football, what is a 'touchback' and where is the ball subsequently placed?
Answer: A kick downed in the end zone; ball placed at 25-yard line. Since a 2016 NFL rule change, when a kickoff or punt is downed in the end zone for a touchback, the receiving team starts at its own 25-yard line.
26. In American football, what ruling applies when a quarterback's pass is caught by an offensive lineman who did not report as eligible?
Answer: Ineligible receiver downfield. An offensive lineman is ineligible to catch a forward pass unless they report to the referee as eligible; catching the pass results in an 'ineligible receiver downfield' penalty.
27. In American football, what is the maximum number of men a defense can legally have on the line of scrimmage at the snap?
Answer: 11. There is no rule limiting how many defenders can be on the line of scrimmage; all 11 defensive players may legally line up there at the snap.
28. In American football, what is the maximum number of players a team can have on the field during a play?
Answer: 11. Each team fields exactly 11 players per play; having 12 or more results in a penalty for too many men on the field.
29. Which country hosted the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, and also won that inaugural tournament?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final in Montevideo at the Estadio Centenario.
30. In American football, which rule allows a player to signal before catching a punt, preventing tacklers from making contact in exchange for giving up the right to advance?
Answer: Fair catch rule. The fair catch rule lets a punt returner wave their hand overhead to signal they will not advance the ball; in return, opposing players cannot hit them upon catching the kick.
31. In American football, what penalty results in a loss of half the distance to the goal when enforced inside the 10-yard line?
Answer: Pass interference. Defensive pass interference carries a spot foul, but inside the 10-yard line NFL rules apply half-the-distance rather than the full spot, making it a notable exception.
32. Which NFL team went 16–0 in the regular season but lost Super Bowl XLII, ending their perfect season bid?
Answer: New England Patriots. The 2007 New England Patriots finished 16–0 in the regular season but lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants 17–14.
33. In American football, what is the maximum number of players a team may have on the active game-day roster for an NFL regular-season game?
Answer: 46. Of the 53-man roster, only 46 players are permitted to be active and eligible to play on game day in the NFL regular season.
34. In American football, what specific penalty results in the offense losing a down in addition to yardage?
Answer: Intentional grounding. Intentional grounding carries a loss of down plus a 10-yard penalty or loss of yards to the spot of the foul.
35. In American football, what is the maximum number of men a team may have on the field during a play?
Answer: 11. Each team fields exactly 11 players; having 12 or more on the field results in a penalty for too many men.
36. In American football, what is the term for a kick where the ball is deliberately kicked out of bounds in the end zone?
Answer: Touchback. A touchback occurs when a kicked ball goes into or through the end zone, resulting in the receiving team starting at their 25-yard line.
37. Which country's team won the first-ever FIFA World Cup final, defeating Argentina 4-2 in 1930?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay hosted and won the inaugural 1930 World Cup, defeating Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo's Estadio Centenario.
38. In football (soccer), a 'bicycle kick' is also commonly known by what other name?
Answer: Overhead kick. A bicycle kick — striking the ball backwards over the head while airborne — is also called an overhead kick; a scorpion kick is a distinct technique.
39. In American football, what is the penalty yardage for an offensive holding foul?
Answer: 10 yards. Offensive holding is penalized 10 yards in the NFL, and also results in a replay of the down rather than a loss of down.
40. Which footballer won the Ballon d'Or award for 1966, the same year England won the World Cup?
Answer: Bobby Charlton. Bobby Charlton won the 1966 Ballon d'Or, recognized for his outstanding performances both in England's World Cup triumph and for Manchester United.
41. In American football, what is the penalty yardage for holding called against the offense?
Answer: 10 yards. Offensive holding in American football results in a 10-yard penalty and a loss of down, one of the most consequential offensive penalties.
42. Which country won the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, defeating Argentina 4–2 in the final in Montevideo.
43. Which country won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, defeating Argentina in the final?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay hosted and won the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, beating Argentina 4–2 in the final in Montevideo.
44. In American football, a 'safety' scores how many points for the defensive team?
Answer: 2. A safety awards 2 points to the defensive team and also gives them possession via a free kick.
45. In American football, what penalty occurs when an offensive lineman moves into the neutral zone before the snap, causing a defender to react?
Answer: False start. A false start is called on the offense when a player makes a movement simulating the start of a play before the snap, regardless of defender reaction.
46. In American football, a team scores a 'safety.' Which team next receives the free kick that follows?
Answer: The team that just scored the safety. After a safety, the team that gave up the safety must kick off to the scoring team, who both receive two points and then take possession via the free kick.
47. In American football, what is the maximum number of points a single play can score for one team?
Answer: 8. A defensive two-point conversion (safety after a failed conversion attempt returned) scores 2, but a touchdown (6) plus a two-point conversion = 8, the maximum from one play sequence; a single-play safety on a conversion returns 2 to the defense, not 8.
48. Which country first introduced 'neutral zone infraction' as a distinct penalty separate from offside in the NFL rulebook?
Answer: United States. The NFL, exclusively a U.S. league, codified the neutral zone infraction as distinct from offside — it applies when a defender causes an offensive player to move before the snap.
49. In American football, what specific penalty results in a loss of down but NO yardage penalty when it is the only foul?
Answer: Illegal forward pass. An illegal forward pass (thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage) carries a 5-yard penalty AND loss of down, but an illegal forward pass behind the line only loses the down — nuance varies; however, a forward pass thrown after a change of possession is loss of down with no yards in specific contexts.
50. Which football club did Sir Alex Ferguson manage immediately before taking charge of Manchester United in 1986?
Answer: Aberdeen. Ferguson managed Aberdeen from 1978 to 1986, winning three Scottish league titles and the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup before joining Manchester United.
51. In American football, how many points does a team earn for a safety?
Answer: 2. A safety scores 2 points for the defending team when an offensive player is tackled in their own end zone.
52. The 1950 FIFA World Cup final was effectively decided by a match known as the 'Maracanazo.' Which nation upset hosts Brazil?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 in the deciding match of the 1950 World Cup at the Maracanã, shocking 200,000 spectators.
53. Which nation won the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament held in 1930?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay hosted and won the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final in Montevideo.
54. In American football, what penalty is called when an offensive lineman moves before the snap and a defensive player reacts to that movement?
Answer: False start. A false start is called on the offense when a player in motion simulates a snap or moves illegally before the ball is snapped, causing the play to be dead immediately.
55. The NFL's 'illegal contact' rule was significantly expanded after the 1977 season primarily to benefit which aspect of the game?
Answer: Passing offenses beyond 5 yards. The 1978 rule changes restricted defenders from contacting eligible receivers beyond 5 yards, dramatically opening up passing offenses.
56. In American football, how many points does a team score if it successfully converts a 'safety'?
Answer: 2. A safety scores 2 points for the defending team and also forces the offensive team to kick the ball back to them.
57. Which football club did Diego Maradona lead to two consecutive Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990?
Answer: Napoli. Maradona was the driving force behind Napoli's first two Serie A championships in 1986–87 and 1989–90.
58. In American football, what penalty results if a punting team player is hit while he is still in a defenseless posture after kicking?
Answer: Roughing the kicker. 'Roughing the kicker' is called when a defender makes forcible contact with the kicker while he is in a defenseless posture, carrying a 15-yard penalty.
59. In American football, what is the term for a defensive play where the offense is tackled in their own end zone?
Answer: Safety. A safety scores 2 points for the defense when the ball carrier is tackled behind their own goal line.
60. Which football club has won the UEFA Champions League / European Cup the most times in history?
Answer: Real Madrid. Real Madrid have won the European Cup/Champions League a record 14 times as of settled history through 2022.
61. In American football, what offensive formation uses no tight ends and five wide receivers?
Answer: Spread. The spread formation deploys five wide receivers with no tight ends, maximizing horizontal spacing to stress defenses across the field.
62. In American football, what is the maximum number of seconds an offense has to snap the ball after the play clock starts?
Answer: 40 seconds. The NFL play clock runs for 40 seconds from the end of the previous play; after certain stoppages the clock is set to 25 seconds instead.
63. In American football, what is the term for a defensive player who crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap?
Answer: Offsides. Offsides is called when a defensive player has any part of his body beyond the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, drawing a 5-yard penalty.
64. In American football, what is it called when the offensive team loses possession by fumbling or throwing an interception, resulting in immediate change of possession?
Answer: Turnover. A turnover occurs when the offense loses possession via a fumble recovered by the defense or an interception, immediately giving the ball to the opposing team.
65. In American football, what is the maximum number of players a team is allowed to have on the field during a play from scrimmage?
Answer: 11. NFL rules allow exactly 11 players per side on the field during a play; having 12 results in a penalty for too many men on the field.
66. In football (soccer), the 'offside trap' is associated with which defensive system pioneered at Arsenal in the 1990s?
Answer: High defensive line. George Graham's Arsenal perfected the high defensive line to spring the offside trap, catching attackers offside with a coordinated defensive step up.
67. In American football, what is the maximum number of players a team may have on the field during a play?
Answer: 11. Each team fields exactly 11 players per side in American football; having 12 or more players on the field results in a penalty.
68. In American football, how many points does a team score for a safety?
Answer: 2. A safety scores 2 points for the defending team when the offense is tackled in their own end zone.
69. In American football, how many points does a team score for a successful safety?
Answer: 2. A safety, where the offense is tackled in their own end zone, awards 2 points to the defending team.
70. In American football, the 'Tuck Rule' that infamously ended Raiders' playoff hopes in 2002 was repealed by the NFL in which year?
Answer: 2013. The NFL officially abolished the controversial Tuck Rule during the March 2013 owners' meetings by a vote of 29 to 1.
71. Which country won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, defeating Argentina in the final played in Montevideo?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 in the inaugural World Cup final held in Montevideo on July 30, 1930.
72. In American football, what is the maximum number of players a team may have on their active game-day roster in the NFL regular season?
Answer: 46. NFL teams carry 53 players on the roster but only 46 are activated on game day, with 7 inactive for that specific match.
73. Which country won the first ever Football World Cup held in 1930?
Answer: Uruguay. Uruguay won the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup on home soil in Montevideo, defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final.
74. In American football, what rule prevents offensive linemen from moving past the line of scrimmage before a pass is thrown?
Answer: Ineligible receiver downfield. The 'ineligible receiver downfield' penalty is called when an offensive lineman advances beyond the line of scrimmage before a forward pass is thrown.
75. In American football, how many points does a team receive for a safety?
Answer: 2. A safety scores 2 points for the defending team when the ball carrier is tackled in their own end zone.
76. Which football club did Pelé play for when he won his third FIFA World Cup in 1970?
Answer: Santos. Pelé was a Santos player throughout his Brazilian career, winning the 1970 World Cup with Brazil while contracted to Santos.
77. In American football, what is the maximum number of points a single play can score?
Answer: 8. A safety scores 2 points, but a touchdown with a two-point conversion scores 8 points, the maximum from a single play.
78. The 'hand of God' goal was scored in a 1986 World Cup match against which nation?
Answer: England. Diego Maradona scored the infamous handball goal against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final in Mexico City.
79. Which American football team won the most Super Bowls during the 1970s dynasty era, claiming four titles in that decade?
Answer: Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980), making them the dominant NFL team of the 1970s.
80. In American football, what is the maximum number of seconds a team has to snap the ball after the play clock starts following a standard play stoppage?
Answer: 40 seconds. The NFL play clock runs 40 seconds from the end of the previous play, giving the offense time to set and snap the ball.
81. In American football, what penalty results when an offensive lineman moves or flinches before the ball is snapped?
Answer: False start. A false start is called when any offensive player makes a sudden movement before the snap, resulting in a five-yard penalty against the offense.
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