Such was the popularity of the beautiful game that by the beginning of the 20th century it soon became clear that there was a need to regulate international football fixtures. So it came to be that on 21 May 1904 Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, was born in Paris and its first international tournament was held in 1906. It was established under the laws of Switzerland and today this powerful association has its headquarters in Zürich. FIFA was not to be without its growing pangs though, especially during World War 1 due to the frequent interruptions to international tournaments that followed.

Composition and structure

Today 208 associations worldwide representing 260 million people are affiliated to FIFA, making soccer’s governing body bigger than even the United Nations. The organisation has aptly been dubbed the “United Nations of football”. The highest decision-making body within FIFA is the FIFA Congress.

FIFA’s relationship with its associations

FIFA helps national affiliate associations to manage football in their countries through  making financial contributions and introducing various programs. It also monitors the activities of each association to ensure that the sport is run with discipline and integrity in that country.

Disciplining associations

Where discipline is found to be lacking or there is governmental interference in the running of a FIFA association, FIFA can invoke one of its unique policies and suspend teams and members affected by bad practice from international competition.

Confederations

There are six confederations that fall under FIFA. These are Africa (CAF), Europe (UEFA), a confederation that comprises North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), South America (CONMEBOL), Oceania (OFC) and Asia (AFC). These confederations take responsibility for football on each continent, but only national associations − not confederations − are members of FIFA.  

Surviving scandal

Although on occasion accusations of financial irregularities and match-fixing at the highest level have been leveled at FIFA, football’s world governing body has generally survived the scandals unscathed − and emerged stronger, better and more powerful.