London has Wembley, Rio has the Maracana and Belfast has the National Stadium at Windsor Park. Owned by local team Linfield FC and leased for national games, this recently rebuilt 18,500-seater stadium rises up amid rows of terraced houses on South Belfast's lower Lisburn Road.

Soccer legend George Best is Northern Ireland's most famous alumni closely followed by goalkeeping giant Pat Jennings. In 2005, NI striker David Healy scored a legendary goal to beat England 1-0 in the World Cup Qualifiers. NI didn't qualify that year, but have reached the World Cup Finals in '56, '82 and '86 and Euros in 2016: not bad for such a small country. 

The IFA was founded in 1880, making it the Beautiful Game's fourth oldest governing body, after England, Scotland and Wales. Find out lots more at The Education & Heritage Centre and on a behind-the-scenes tour. Then visit the IFA shop to pick up some footy memorabilia for the folks back home. For the view from the stands, check out www.ourweecountry.co.uk.