FIFA

FIFA, short for Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the international governing body of association football. Founded in 1904, it oversees all major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup. With 211 member associations, it is one of the largest and most influential sports organizations in the world.

Based in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA sets the rules of the game, promotes football development globally, and works to ensure the sport's integrity. Its revenue comes primarily from broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and tournament hosting fees. The organization also runs the FIFA Foundation, which uses football to drive social change in areas like education, youth development, and infrastructure. [edit]

FIFA's mission is to promote the game of association football, foster friendly relations among national associations, confederations, and their officials and players, and to control every type of association football. It aims to develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots to elite, and to organize international competitions that inspire global participation. [edit]

FIFA was founded on May 21, 1904, in Paris, by seven national football associations: Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The first president, Robert Guérin, was elected two days later at the inaugural Congress. The initial statutes took effect on September 1, 1905.

The organization grew steadily. Jules Rimet, president from 1921 to 1954, spearheaded the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay. Under João Havelange (1974–1998), FIFA expanded its membership and commercial partnerships, turning the World Cup into a global media event. Sepp Blatter's tenure (1998–2015) saw further growth but ended in scandal when corruption allegations led to his suspension in 2015. Gianni Infantino was elected in 2016 and has since expanded the World Cup format and pushed for more inclusive development. [edit]