FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) was founded in Paris on May 21, 1904. It is the international federation that governs associated football, futsal and beach soccer, the most popular team sport in the world
The entity was born in 1904 with few resources, politically weak, with little reach and limited by the British. Robert Guérin was its first president, from 1904 to 1906
France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland officially created FIFA. Spain was represented by one club, the current Real Madrid
The British, who reigned over football, turned their noses at FIFA and initially vetoed its participation, restricting the new entity’s actions.
Each founding member paid 50 francs per year, a symbolic amount. The plan to organize a World Cup in 1906 did not come to fruition, and was only implemented in 1930.
Getting the English to join was the main point for FIFA. British entry was sealed in 1906 in Bern, when Englishman Daniel Burley Woolfall assumed the presidency
The situation of British control persisted and the First World War delayed FIFA’s projects. Jules Rimet led the organization from 1921 to 1954, the period in which the World Cup was established
Since 1904, FIFA has served as football’s global governing body. It oversees and promotes the development of the sport, from grassroots initiatives to elite competitions, as well as establishing the official rules of the game
Currently, FIFA has 208 associated countries and/or territories and is affiliated with the IOC. This number is higher than the number of members of the UN (193) and the IOC (205)
FIFA recognizes a total of 211 national men’s federations and 129 women’s federations, in addition to working together with continental confederations, such as Conmebol in South America and UEFA in Europe.
FIFA is responsible for organizing international tournaments, such as the World Cup, the Women’s World Cup and the Club World Cup.
The entity, which was once poor, today boasts a wealthy headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and great financial power. FIFA registers 150 million athletes and sells tournaments for more than US$1 billion
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