Football as a tool in the construction of identity

This study examines how football transformed into a tool for construction of identity within societies, either consciously through concentrated efforts of people and institutions or as a result of its own natural development process. Within the scope of the study, the element of identity was analysed from the perspective of the constructivist approach that emerged in the 1980s and contributed to the theory of international relations. The emergence of football, its historical development and its globalization experience have been examined with a focus on understanding the key features football developed in time which can help football contribute to the construction of identity. In the last part of the study, the effect of football on identity building processes in the societies of England, Spain, Italy and Brazil is tried to be understood through case studies. Keywords: Football, Constructivism, Identity, Nationalism