Today, all eyes are on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Symbolically, in light of the event, I’m sharing this series of photos in the #monomad Contest ⚽️
Although it’s better known as “table football” in the United Kingdom and much of the world, in North America this game is universally called “foosball.” It’s known as “baby-foot” in France, “calcio balilla” in Italy, “pebolim” and “totó” in Brazil, and “matraquilhos” in Portugal.
It was precisely one of these tables that I found in the village of Bruscos, about 15 km from Coimbra, Portugal.
Worn down by time, it bears witness to many hours of derbies—victories for some and defeats for others. Played with four hands, in pairs, with eyes on the ball and deft wrist movements, some defend, others attack. The goal is to get the ball into the goal. Just like a soccer match, only on a table.
In this case, two rival teams from the city of Lisbon, Sporting (striped jerseys) and Benfica—a classic derby in Portuguese soccer and in the “matraquilhos”.
Historically speaking, the first official and detailed record of foosball was made in 1921 by the British Harold Searles Thornton. A passionate Tottenham Hotspur fan, he wanted to create a game that simulated soccer but could be played indoors.
