Offside
An offside position is not automatically an offence. Involvement in play and the timing of the relevant touch matter.
Read the connected explainer →Understand the language of the game.
A growing, sourced collection. Start with these 12 entries, then follow the connections.
12 entries
Expected goals (xG)
A model-based estimate of the scoring likelihood of a shot. It is not a guaranteed goal or a substitute for the final score. Different models can use different inputs.
Read the connected explainer →Event data
A structured record of actions such as passes and shots. It does not automatically contain every player’s position throughout a match.
Read the connected explainer →Tracking data
Position and movement information over time. Its availability and rights differ from a basic score or event feed.
Read the connected explainer →Per 90 minutes
A rate scaled to 90 minutes of playing time. Always inspect the minutes behind it; tiny samples can make a rate misleading.
Read the connected explainer →Age-group football
Competitions organised around age eligibility. The applicable date and eligibility rules belong to the specific tournament regulations.
Read the connected explainer →Confederation
A regional governing body within the international football structure. FIFA lists six confederations; their competition systems differ.
Read the connected explainer →Member association
A national or territorial football association in FIFA’s membership structure. It is not always equivalent to a sovereign country.
Read the connected explainer →National team and club
Two different forms of team representation. EURO is a national-team event; the Champions League is a club competition.
Read the connected explainer →Season and edition
The time-bound instance of a competition. Specify it before comparing formats, records or qualifying rules.
Read the connected explainer →Sample size
The amount of evidence behind a measure. A handful of games may describe those games well without supporting a stable long-term conclusion.
Read the connected explainer →Women’s World Cup
FIFA’s first Women’s World Cup was held in China in 1991. That milestone is not the beginning of women playing football.
Read the connected explainer →Which comparison needs extra caution?
Two player rates look very different. What should you check first?