Home Nations

As Home Nations ( German literally home nations ) are called in English the four parts of the country of the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The term is just in sport contexts application because the four parts of the country often have independent associations that compete internationally against each other. However, the term content may vary slightly in some sport: there are about Rugby Union no separate Northern Irish association but the Irish Rugby Football Union representing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland together. In these cases, total - Ireland is ranked among the Home Nations. Athletes from the British Crown Kronbesitzungen allowed to compete for a home nation of their choice.

Especially in football this term was coined in the context of the British Home Championship, which was held annually from 1883 to 1984.