Fifa

This article is about the international association football organisation. For the video games, see FIFA (video game series).
Fédération Internationale de Football Association

Map of the members of FIFA according to their confederation
Abbreviation FIFA
Motto For the Game. For the World.
Formation 21 May 1904 (108 years ago)
Type Federation of national associations
Headquarters Zurich,Switzerland
Coordinates 47°22′53″N 8°34′28″E
Region served Worldwide
Membership 209 national associations
Official languages English, French, German, Spanish[1]
President Sepp Blatter
Vice-President Prince Ali
Affiliations International Olympic Committee
Website www.FIFA.com

FIFA headquarters
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (English: International Federation ofAssociation Football), commonly known by the acronym FIFA (usual /ˈfiːfə/), is the international governing body of association football, futsal and beach soccer. Its membership comprises 209 national associations. Its headquarters are in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter. FIFA is responsible for the organisation of football's major international tournaments, notably the WorldCup.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Structure
3 Recognitions and awards
4 Governance and game development
4.1 Discipline of national associations
5 FIFA Anthem
6 Allegations of corruption and legislative interference
6.1 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids
6.2 2011 FIFA Presidential Election
6.3 Response to allegations
7 Video replay controversy
8 FIFA structured tournaments
8.1 Men'stournaments
8.2 Women's tournaments
9 Sponsors
10 See also
11 References
12 Further reading
13 External links
[edit]History

Main article: History of FIFA
The need for a single body to oversee the game became apparent at the beginning of the 20th century with the increasing popularity of international fixtures. FIFA was founded in Paris on 21 May 1904; the French name and acronym persist evenoutside French-speaking countries. The founding members were the national associations of Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain (represented by Madrid Football Club; the Spanish federation was not created until 1913), Sweden and Switzerland. Also, that same day, the German Association declared its intention of affiliating through a telegram.
The first president of FIFA wasRobert Guérin. Guérin was replaced in 1906 by Daniel Burley Woolfall from England, by then a member association. The first tournament FIFA staged, the association football competition for the 1908 Olympics in London was more successful than its Olympic predecessors, despite the presence of professional footballers, contrary to the founding principles of FIFA.
Membership of FIFA expanded beyond Europewith the application of South Africa in 1908, Argentina and Chile in 1912, and Canada and the United States in 1913.
During World War I, with many players sent off to war and the possibility of travel for international fixtures severely limited, the organisation's survival was in doubt. Post-war, following the death of Woolfall, the organisation was run by Dutchman Carl Hirschmann. It was savedfrom extinction, but at the cost of the withdrawal of the Home Nations (of the United Kingdom), who cited an unwillingness to participate in international competitions with their recent World War enemies. The Home Nations later resumed their membership.
The FIFA collection is held by the National Football Museum in England.
[edit]Structure

Main article: List of FIFA Member Associations

Mapof the World with the six confederations: membership details below.
FIFA is an association established under the Laws of Switzerland. Its headquarters are in Zurich.
FIFA's supreme body is the FIFA Congress, an assembly made up of representatives from each affiliated member association. The Congress has met 66 times since 1904; it now assembles in ordinary session once every year and,...