The Football European Nations Cup is created in 1957 by the French Henri Delaunay then Secretary-general of the FFF (French Federation of Football).

This project, like that of the World cup of Football (also instigated by Henri Delaunay), was in the spirits and the paperboards of the FIFA since the end of 1920.

Henri Delaunay dies on November 09, 1954 and on March 02, 1955, at the time of the 1st Générale assembly of the UEFA (created the previous year), this one pushes back the project and 3 years later in June 1958 in Stockholm, the UEFA creates the Football European Nations Cup which also bears the name of Coupe Henri Delaunay.

The Football European Nations Cup in 1980 in Italy inaugurated a new formula with 8 countries instead of 4 and in 1996 in England with 16 countries and the Golden goal from the Quarterfinals whose principle is simple: 1st which marks during the Extra time the match gains ; the German Oliver Bierhoff was 1st Gold Marker at the 95' during the final Germany-Czech Republic (2-1) of Sunday June 30, 1996 in London (England).

In 1980 in Italy, the Football European Nations Cup takes a greater dimension and authorizes 8 teams in final phase instead of 4.

In 1992, for political reasons, Yugoslavia qualified for the final phase in Sweden is replaced by Denmark... which certain players had already left on holidays; what do not prevent the Danes from gaining the Football European Nations Cup against Germany.

In 1996 in England, the Football European Nations Cup now authorizes 16 teams divided in 4 groups of 4, to take part in the final phase with, from the Quarterfinals, the Golden goal.

In 2008, in Austria and Switzerland, a new trophy Henri Delaunay has been created by the English goldsmith Asprey; it weighs 8 kg and measures 60 cm high.

This new trophy is 18 cm bigger than the precedent; the promoters had the impression that the original was too small.

The Football European Nations Cup is the third world sporting event more mediatized after the Olympic Games and the World cup of Football.