OTD E0089 — 28 Jan 1900: 10:40 in Leipzig — The DFB Is Born, and German Football Becomes a Machine

28 Jan 1900: 10:40am in Leipzig’s Mariengarten — the DFB is founded by delegates representing 86 clubs. We trace German football’s pioneer years (Konrad Koch, Walther Bensemann, improvised pitches, and brutal “Ur Länderspiele”), then the sprint to the first German championship in 1903, FIFA membership by telegram in 1904, and the first official international in 1908 (a 5–3 loss to Switzerland). From wars, bans and splits to Bundesliga, the Miracle of Bern, and decades of finals — plus: where Germany sits today. Tips: [email protected]