Football, like every other sports, is constantly changing. Competitions are created, merged, rebranded and eventually discontinued as governing bodies respond to changes in the game’s calendar, finances and competitive structure.
Some football competitions disappeared quietly, while others left such a significant legacy that their names are still familiar to fans decades later.
From European club competitions to international tournaments, here are 10 football competitions that no longer exist.
The European Cup Winners’ Cup was one of Europe’s major club competitions.
It was contested by domestic cup winners from UEFA’s member associations and featured some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
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The competition was launched in 1960 and played its final edition in 1998–99, when Lazio defeated Mallorca.
The expansion of the Champions League and UEFA Cup eventually made the competition increasingly difficult to maintain.
Last winner: Lazio
Final edition: 1998–99
The UEFA Intertoto Cup was an unusual competition designed partly to provide European football opportunities during the summer.
It eventually became a route into the UEFA Cup for clubs that did not initially qualify.
The tournament was discontinued after the 2008 edition as UEFA reorganised its European club competitions.
Last edition: 2008
For decades, the Intercontinental Cup determined the unofficial world club champion by bringing together the winners of the European Cup and Copa Libertadores.
The competition was played from 1960 to 2004. It was eventually replaced by the expanded FIFA Club World Championship, which brought together champions from different continental confederations.
Last winner: FC Porto
Final edition: 2004
The FIFA Confederations Cup was a major international tournament held in the year before the World Cup.
It brought together the champions of FIFA’s confederations, the World Cup holders and the host nation. Germany won the final edition in 2017.
FIFA subsequently discontinued the tournament as part of changes to its international competition calendar.
Last winner: Germany
Final edition: 2017
The Anglo-Italian Cup brought English and Italian clubs together.
It was created to provide competitive fixtures between clubs from the two countries and produced memorable encounters.
The competition was played in different forms before eventually disappearing in 1996.
Last edition: 1996
The British Home Championship was one of international football’s oldest competitions.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland competed annually for the title.
The tournament began in the 19th century and ran for more than 100 years before ending after the 1983–84 edition.
Changing international schedules and declining interest contributed to its demise.
Last winner: Northern Ireland
Final edition: 1983–84
The original UEFA Nations Cup, better known historically as the European Nations’ Cup, was the predecessor of today’s European Championship.
The tournament was renamed the UEFA European Championship as the competition developed.
Therefore, the original competition name no longer exists, although its modern successor remains one of international football’s biggest tournaments.
First edition: 1960
Modern successor: UEFA European Championship
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