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What is FIFA?

Y. Chen
Y. Chen

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing association of the sport of football, known as soccer in the United States. In fact, it is the largest sporting governing body in the world. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, this organization is accountable for management of the major international football tournaments, the most notable being the FIFA World Cup™. The World Cup™, held every four years, is a competition between men's teams representing various nations. Over 200 associations are members of the organization, making it the world's second largest international association, with the United Nations being the largest.

The need for a single association to oversee the worldwide game prompted the founding of FIFA in Paris on 21 May 1904. Original membership belonged to seven European countries, though within several years membership began to expand beyond the European continent. The first non-European country to join was South Africa, in 1909, followed by Argentina, Chile, and the United States in subsequent years. Following the success of the competitions and the rising popularity of football, FIFA began seriously contemplating the staging of its own regular World Championship. The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. The next World Cup was held thereafter in Italy in 1934.

FIFA has more than 200 members making it the second largest international association in the world trailing only the United Nations.
FIFA has more than 200 members making it the second largest international association in the world trailing only the United Nations.

This organization not only operates at the international level, but it also has confederations governing the game in the different continents and regions of the world. Most national federations qualify their teams for entry into FIFA competitions by claiming membership to both FIFA and their region's confederation.

In addition to its management of the World Cup and involvement in Olympic competitions, FIFA also manages World Championships for players at the under-17 and under-20 levels. It has also introduced the Confederations Cup, a competition held every four years for the champions from each confederation along with the World hosts and World Cup Winners. It also presides over World Cup tournaments geared specifically toward women, club competition, and modified forms of football including beach football and futsal or indoor football.

FIFA is the international organization that governs football, which is known as "soccer" in the United States.
FIFA is the international organization that governs football, which is known as "soccer" in the United States.

The intellectual property value, including merchandising profits, of this association has become very valuable. Football simulation games for the personal computer and other game consoles are released annually, with additional versions sporting World Cup branding to correspond with the tournaments.

Discussion Comments

kilorenz

@anon44353 – This is a difficult question to answer. He may well be the most well known soccer player ever because of his high profile celebrity status. However, he is quite disliked by a number of soccer lovers, especially English fans, for the very same reason. Many soccer fans view him as a showboating celebrity rather than a true soccer player, especially since he joined the American team, the Los Angeles Galaxy. The fact that he has something of a role as a big budget movie actor hasn’t helped dispel this image either. Much of the soccer world is split on its opinion of him. The fact is however, that he is one of the most celebrated and accomplished players in soccer history, and the numbers don’t lie. Other players that contend for the title of “most popular soccer player” are Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Lionel Messi.

anon44353

Is David Beckham the most popular soccer player?

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    • FIFA has more than 200 members making it the second largest international association in the world trailing only the United Nations.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      FIFA has more than 200 members making it the second largest international association in the world trailing only the United Nations.
    • FIFA is the international organization that governs football, which is known as "soccer" in the United States.
      By: pressmaster
      FIFA is the international organization that governs football, which is known as "soccer" in the United States.
    • FIFA holds the World Cup™ every four years with Brazil hosting the 2014 event.
      By: massimhokuto
      FIFA holds the World Cup™ every four years with Brazil hosting the 2014 event.
    • FIFA sets size, material, and weight standards for soccer balls.
      By: Buriy
      FIFA sets size, material, and weight standards for soccer balls.
    • Brazil is a five-time winner of the FIFA World Cup.
      By: Bastos
      Brazil is a five-time winner of the FIFA World Cup.
    • FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.
      By: pavalena
      FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.