The following are events in 1873 which are relevant to the development of association football. Included are events in closely related codes, such as the Sheffield Rules.
8 March – England defeat Scotland 4–2 at Kennington Oval in the second officially recognised international match. The first goal in international football is scored by William Kenyon-Slaney of England in the second minute.
The offside law is amended to be applicable to a player who is offside when the ball is touched and played by a teammate, not when receiving the ball.[citation needed]
10 January – William Lambie (d. unknown), Scotland international forward in nine matches (1892–1897), scoring five goals.
21 January – Ernest Needham (d. 1936), England international half-back in sixteen matches (1894–1902), scoring three goals.
23 February – Neilly Gibson (d. unknown), Scotland international in fourteen matches (1895–1905).
14 March – George Raikes (d. 1966), England international goalkeeper in four matches (1895–1896).
27 April – William Oakley (d. 1934), England international full-back in sixteen matches (1895–1901).
1 June – Harry Rennie (d. 1954), Scotland international goalkeeper in thirteen matches (1900–1908).
24 August – John Walker (d. 1937), Scotland international forward in five matches (1895–1904), scoring three goals.
14 October – Jules Rimet (d. 1956), French football administrator. The 3rd President of FIFA (1921–1954) who would initiate the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, the Jules Rimet Trophy being named in his honour.
8 November – Fred Forman (d. 1910), England international forward in three matches (1899), scoring three goals.
25 December – Nicol Smith (d. 1905), Scotland international defender in twelve matches (1897–1902).
England
