:FIFA

{{Short description|International governing body of association football}}

{{About|the association football body|the video game franchise|FIFA (video game series){{!}}FIFA (video game series)|other uses|Fifa (disambiguation)}}

{{distinguish|FIBA}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{Use Oxford spelling|date=November 2023}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = FIFA

| full_name = Fédération Internationale de Football Association

| alt = "FIFA" written in bold blue

| logo = FIFA logo without slogan.svg

| logo_size = 230

| map = World Map FIFA.svg

| map_size = 300

| map_caption = Map of FIFA members by confederation

| founded = {{Start date and age|1904|5|21|df=y}}

| founder = Robert Guérin

| founding_location = Paris, France

| type = International sports federation

| headquarters =

  • Global office:
  • Zurich, Switzerland
  • Continental offices:
  • Rabat, Morocco (CAF){{cite web |url=https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/president/news/new-office-rabat-morocco-opening-infantino-akhannouch-lekjaa |title=New Office in Rabat, Morocco |work=FIFA |access-date=4 January 2025}}
  • Jakarta, Indonesia (AFC){{cite web |url=https://www.rri.co.id/jakarta/nasional/439353/presiden-jokowi-meresmikan-kantor-fifa-jakarta-sebagai-hub-asia-tenggara |title=Presiden Jokowi Meresmikan Kantor FIFA di Jakarta Sebagai Hub Asia Tenggara|work=rri.co.id|language=id|access-date=11 November 2023}}

| leader_title = President

| leader_name = Gianni Infantino

| leader_title2 = Senior vice-president

| leader_name2 = Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)

| leader_title3 = Vice-presidents

| leader_name3 = {{Plainlist|

}}

| leader_title4 = Secretary general

| leader_name4 = Mattias Grafström

| main_organ = FIFA Congress

| subsidiaries = {{Plainlist|

}}

| affiliations = International Olympic Committee
International Football Association Board

| membership = 211 national associations

| staff = 700+

| website = {{url|https://www.fifa.com/|FIFA.com}}

}}

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association{{efn|{{IPA|fr|fedeʁɑsjɔ̃ ɛ̃tɛʁnɑsjɔnal də futbol asɔsjɑsjɔ̃}}}}{{efn|{{langx|es|Federación Internacional de Fútbol Asociación}};{{cite web |url=https://extranets.fifa.com/es/registration/condiciones-generales-de-servicio-de-fifa-extranet/|title=Condiciones generales de servicio de FIFA extranet - FIFA Extranet|access-date=15 December 2015|author=FIFA|website=FIFA Extranet}} {{langx|pt|Federação Internacional de Futebol Associação}}[https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2011-2014/2011/Lei/L12462.htm L12462] (4 August 2011). Subchefia para Assuntos Jurídicos. Presidência da República Casa Civil.}} ({{literal translation|International Federation of Association Football}}), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA{{Efn|{{IPA|fr|fifa|-|LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-FIFA.wav}}.}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|iː|f|ə}} {{respell|FEE|fə}}), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to oversee international competition among the national associations of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain (represented by Real Madrid CF), Sweden, and Switzerland. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, its membership now comprises 211 national associations. These national associations must also be members of one of the six regional confederations: CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia), UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (North & Central America and the Caribbean), OFC (Oceania), and CONMEBOL (South America).

FIFA outlines several objectives in its organizational statutes, including growing football internationally, ensuring it is accessible to everyone, and advocating for integrity and fair play.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/the-statutes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423052123/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/the-statutes.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 April 2015 |title=FIFA Statutes |work=FIFA |access-date=10 July 2019}} It is responsible for organizing and promoting football's major international tournaments, notably the World Cup which began in 1930, and the Women's World Cup which commenced in 1991. Although FIFA does not solely set the laws of the game, that being the responsibility of the International Football Association Board of which FIFA is a member, it applies and enforces the rules across all FIFA competitions.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/ifab/about-ifab.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905193502/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/ifab/about-ifab.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 September 2015 |title=About FIFA: Organisation |work=FIFA |access-date=10 July 2019}} All FIFA tournaments generate revenue from sponsorships; in 2022, FIFA had revenues of over US$5.8 billion, ending the 2019–2022 cycle with a net positive of $1.2 billion, and cash reserves of over $3.9 billion.{{Cite web |url=https://publications.fifa.com/en/annual-report-2022/finances/2019-2022-cycle-in-review/2022-financial-highlights/ |title=2022 Financial Highlights |work=FIFA |date= |access-date=7 April 2023}}

Reports by investigative journalists have linked FIFA leadership with corruption, bribery, and vote-rigging related to the election of FIFA president Sepp Blatter and the organization's decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively. These allegations led to the indictments of nine high-ranking FIFA officials and five corporate executives by the US Department of Justice on charges including racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. On 27 May 2015, several of these officials were arrested by Swiss authorities, who launched a simultaneous but separate criminal investigation into how the organization awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Those among these officials who were also indicted in the US are expected to be extradited to face charges there as well.{{cite news |title=FIFA officials arrested on corruption charges; Sepp Blatter isn't among them |newspaper=The New York Times |date=27 May 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-date=27 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527083026/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html |url-status=live |last1=Clifford |first1=Stephanie |last2=Apuzzo |first2=Matt }}{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nine-fifa-officials-and-five-corporate-executives-indicted-racketeering-conspiracy-and |title=Nine FIFA Officials and Five Corporate Executives Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy and Corruption |date=27 May 2015 |access-date=27 May 2015 |publisher=US DOJ Office of Public Affairs |archive-date=27 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527093831/http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nine-fifa-officials-and-five-corporate-executives-indicted-racketeering-conspiracy-and |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-arrests-idUSKBN0OC0B020150527 |title=World soccer rocked as top officials held in U.S., Swiss graft cases |date=27 May 2015 |access-date=27 May 2015 |first1=Mike |last1=Collett |first2=Brian |last2=Homewood |work=Reuters |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924220154/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/27/us-soccer-fifa-arrests-idUSKBN0OC0B020150527 |url-status=live}}

Many officials were suspended by FIFA's ethics committee including Sepp Blatter{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/fifa/12061288/Sepp-Blatter-and-Michel-Platini-banned-for-eight-years-by-Fifa-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/fifa/12061288/Sepp-Blatter-and-Michel-Platini-banned-for-eight-years-by-Fifa-live.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini banned for eight years by Fifa |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 March 2017}}{{cbignore}} and Michel Platini.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/sepp-blatter/12062418/Rise-and-fall-of-Michel-Platini-the-self-proclaimed-football-man-who-forgot-the-meaning-of-integrity.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/sepp-blatter/12062418/Rise-and-fall-of-Michel-Platini-the-self-proclaimed-football-man-who-forgot-the-meaning-of-integrity.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rise and fall of Michel Platini – the self-proclaimed 'football man' who forgot the meaning of integrity |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 March 2017}}{{cbignore}} In early 2017, reports became public about FIFA president Gianni Infantino attempting to prevent the re-elections{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/02/fifa-gianni-infantino-survey |title=Trust in Fifa has improved only slightly under Gianni Infantino, survey finds |last=Conn |first=David |date=2 March 2017 |work=The Guardian |access-date=24 March 2017 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324002209/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/02/fifa-gianni-infantino-survey |url-status=live }} of both chairmen of the ethics committee, Cornel Borbély and Hans-Joachim Eckert, during the FIFA congress in May 2017.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/03/15/sports/soccer/15reuters-soccer-fifa-ethics.html |title=FIFA Ethics Chiefs Facing Uncertain Future |agency=Reuters |date=15 March 2017 |work=The New York Times|access-date=24 March 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |url=http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/02/27/infantino-1-ethics-bigwigs-next-stop-personal-reform-agenda/ |title=Infantino at 1. Are the Ethics bigwigs the next stop on his personal 'reform' agenda? |date=27 February 2017 |website=Inside World Football |access-date=24 March 2017 |archive-date=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325201411/http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/02/27/infantino-1-ethics-bigwigs-next-stop-personal-reform-agenda/ |url-status=live }} On 9 May 2017, following Infantino's proposal,{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-ethics-idUSKBN1860OS |title=FIFA Ethics Committee still investigating 'hundreds' of cases: Borbely |date=10 May 2017 |work=Reuters |access-date=10 May 2017 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510091326/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-ethics-idUSKBN1860OS |url-status=live }} The FIFA Council decided not to renew the mandates of Borbély and Eckert. Together with the chairmen, 11 of 13 committee members were removed. FIFA has been suspected of corruption regarding the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Sam |date=9 December 2022 |title=How FIFA corrupted the World Cup |url=https://www.vox.com/videos/2022/12/9/23502398/fifa-corruput-world-cup-football |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=Vox |language=en}}

History

{{Main|History of FIFA}}

The need for a single body to oversee association football became increasingly apparent at the beginning of the 20th century with the increasing popularity of international fixtures. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was founded in the rear of the headquarters of the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA) at the Rue Saint Honoré 229 in Paris on 21 May 1904.{{cite web |title=History of FIFA - Foundation |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/history/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516094922/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/who-we-are/history/index.html |archive-date=16 May 2015 |access-date=15 June 2018 |publisher=FIFA}} The French name and acronym are universally adopted outside French-speaking countries. The founding members were the national associations of Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain (represented by then-Real Madrid CF; the Royal Spanish Football Federation was not created until 1913), Sweden and Switzerland.

On the same day, the German Football Association (DFB) declared its intention to affiliate through a telegram.{{cite news |url=http://filmcircle.com/federation-internationale-de-football-association/ |title=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |work=Filmcircle.com |date=11 June 2014 |access-date=11 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008195647/http://filmcircle.com/federation-internationale-de-football-association/ |archive-date=8 October 2014}}

The first president of FIFA was Robert Guérin. Guérin was replaced in 1906 by Daniel Burley Woolfall from England, by then a member of the 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110509012624/http://www.iffhs.de/?28d6edaca29d815685fdcdc3bfcdc0aec010 1906 - Athens] at the IFFHS (archived)[https://web.archive.org/web/20110507234700/http://www.iffhs.de/?35bb6b28a76055ae1817f7370eff3702bb0a09 Olympic Tournament - 1908 London] on IFFHS{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/fifa/fifa-takes-shape.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329051342/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/fifa/fifa-takes-shape.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 March 2013 |title=History of FIFA – FIFA takes shape |work=FIFA |access-date=12 July 2014}}{{cite book |last=Butler |first=Bryon |author-link=Bryon Butler |title=The Official History of The Football Association |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |year=1991 |isbn=0-356-19145-1 |page=54}}

Membership of FIFA expanded beyond Europe with the application of South Africa in 1909, Argentina in 1912, Canada and Chile in 1913, and the United States in 1914.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/organisation/52/00/10/fs-120_01a_ma.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505233301/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/organisation/52/00/10/fs-120_01a_ma.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2012 |title=FIFA's 208 Member Associations |access-date=1 December 2015 |author=FIFA |date=10 September 2009}}

The 1912 Spalding Athletic Library "Official Guide" includes information on the 1912 Olympics (scores and stories), AAFA, and FIFA. The 1912 FIFA president was Dan B Woolfall.{{cite book |via=Google Books |publisher=Spalding Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugo7AQAAMAAJ&q=Spalding+Athletic+Library+Soccer%2F%2F&pg=PP8 |title=The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Soccer Guide - National Collegiate Athletic Association |year=1912 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817124931/https://books.google.com/books?id=ugo7AQAAMAAJ&pg=PP8&lpg=PP8&dq=Spalding+Athletic+Library+Soccer&source=bl&ots=VxBbELg2xj&sig=ACfU3U0PayhedZCsMeQnXDoxpLYRlecT4A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiuttzf5tPtAhU9ITQIHWRXC3A4PBDoATAEegQIARAC#v=onepage&q=Spalding%20Athletic%20Library%20Soccer&f=false// |archive-date=17 August 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=16 December 2020 }} Daniel Burley Woolfall was president from 1906 to 1918.{{cite web |publisher=FIFA |url=https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/fifa-president/daniel-burley-woolfall/ |title=Past Presidents - Daniel Burley Woolfall |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028120530/https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/fifa-president/daniel-burley-woolfall/ |archive-date=28 October 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 December 2020 }}

During World War I, with many players sent off to war and the possibility of travel for international fixtures severely limited, the organization's survival was in doubt. Post-war, following the death of Woolfall, the organization was run by Dutchman Carl Hirschmann. It was saved from 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 World War enemies. The Home Nations later resumed their membership. The FIFA collection is held by the National Football Museum at Urbis in Manchester, England.{{cite web |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200070/museums_galleries_and_the_arts/2964/the_national_football_museum_at_urbis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040057/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200070/museums_galleries_and_the_arts/2964/the_national_football_museum_at_urbis|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2017|title=About the National Football Museum {{!}} The National Football Museum at Urbis |website=www.manchester.gov.uk |access-date=28 November 2017}} The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Identity

= Flag =

{{Infobox flag

| Name = Fédération internationale de football association

| Nickname =

| Image = Flag of FIFA.svg

| Use = Sport

| Symbol = {{FIAV|normal}}

| Proportion = 3:5

| Adoption = {{start date and age|2018}}

| Design = Blue field with a FIFA logo

}}

The FIFA flag is blue, with the organization's wordmark logo in the middle. The current FIFA flag was first flown during the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow, Russia.[http://www.china.org.cn/sports/2019-10/24/content_75335260.htm China to host revamped FIFA Club World Cup in 2021] China Xinhua, 24 October 2019

=Anthem=

{{Main|FIFA Anthem}}

Akin to the UEFA Champions League, FIFA has adopted an anthem composed by the German composer Franz Lambert since the 1994 FIFA World Cup. It has been re-arranged and produced by Rob May and Simon Hill.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eCvUCgAAQBAJ&q=Rob+May+and+Simon+Hill+FIFA+ANTHEM&pg=PA71 |title=Designing Inclusive Pathways with Young Adults: Learning and Development for a Better World |first1=Judith |last1=Kearney |first2=Lesley |last2=Wood |first3=Richard |last3=Teare |date=28 October 2015 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9789463001571 |via=Google Books |access-date=11 November 2020 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419143048/https://books.google.com/books?id=eCvUCgAAQBAJ&q=Rob+May+and+Simon+Hill+FIFA+ANTHEM&pg=PA71 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/fifa-facts/1/673827.html |title=FIFA's 113th foundation day: 10 things you should know about world football's governing body: Sports Arena |website=indiatoday. in today.in |access-date=14 October 2017 |archive-date=16 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016232914/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/fifa-facts/1/673827.html |url-status=live }} The FIFA Anthem is played at the beginning of official FIFA sanctioned matches and tournaments such as international friendlies, the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women's World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA U-17 World Cup, Football at the Summer Olympics, FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup, FIFA Futsal World Cup, FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9I7bn1b4oc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/R9I7bn1b4oc| archive-date=11 December 2021 | url-status=live|title=FIFA anthem | date=14 August 2007|publisher=YouTube |access-date=19 May 2010}}{{cbignore}}

Since 2007, FIFA has also required most of its broadcast partners to use short sequences including the anthem at the beginning and end of FIFA event coverage and for break bumpers to help promote FIFA's sponsors. This emulates practices long used by international football events, such as the UEFA Champions League. Exceptions may be made for specific circumstances; for example, an original piece of African music was used for bumpers during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180614-world-cup-2018-the-extraordinary-power-of-the-football-song |title=The extraordinary power of the football song |date=14 June 2018 |work=BBC |access-date=20 February 2019 |archive-date=18 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718110359/http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180614-world-cup-2018-the-extraordinary-power-of-the-football-song |url-status=live }}

Presidents of FIFA

{{Main|List of presidents of FIFA}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:left;"

! No !! Name !! Country !! Took office !! Left office !! Note

align="center" |1Robert Guérin{{flagu|France|1794}}23 May 19044 June 1906
align="center" |2Daniel Burley Woolfall{{flagu|England}}4 June 190624 October 1918Died in office
align="center" |—Cornelis August Wilhelm Hirschman{{flagu|Netherlands}}24 October 19181920Acting
align="center" |3Jules Rimet{{flagu|France|1794}}1 March 192121 June 1954
align="center" |4Rodolphe Seeldrayers{{flagu|Belgium}}21 June 19547 October 1955Died in office
align="center" |5Arthur Drewry{{flagu|England}}9 June 195625 March 1961Died in office
align="center" |—Ernst Thommen{{flagu|Switzerland}}25 March 196128 September 1961Acting
align="center" |6Stanley Rous{{flagu|England}}28 September 19618 May 1974
align="center" |7João Havelange{{flagu|Brazil}}8 May 19748 June 1998
align="center" |8Sepp Blatter{{flagu|Switzerland}}8 June 19988 October 2015Expelled
align="center" |—Issa Hayatou{{flagu|Cameroon}}8 October 201526 February 2016Acting
align="center" |9Gianni Infantino{{flagu|Italy}}
{{flagu|Switzerland}}
26 February 2016Incumbent

Structure

{{Main|Geography of association football}}

{{anchor|Confederations}}

=Six confederations and 211 national associations=

{{FIFA confederations}}

Besides its worldwide institutions, there are six confederations recognized by FIFA which oversee the game in the different continents and regions of the world. National associations, and not the continental confederations, are members of FIFA. The continental confederations are provided for in FIFA's statutes, and membership of a union is a prerequisite to FIFA membership.

In total, FIFA recognizes 211 national associations and their associated men's national teams as well as 129 women's national teams; see the list of national football teams and their respective country codes. The number of FIFA member associations is higher than the number of UN member states as FIFA has admitted associations from 23 non-sovereign entities as members in their own right, such as the four Home Nations within the United Kingdom and the two special administrative regions of China: Hong Kong and Macau.

On 28 February 2022, FIFA suspended Russia from all competitions due to controversy surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news |date=1 March 2022 |url= https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37625920/means-how-works |title=FIFA suspends Russia from World Cup, all soccer competitions: What it means, how it works}}

FIFA can suspend countries due to numerous multifaceted issues. Common reasons include governance interference, corruption, and financial irregularities. Doping or the misappropriation of drugs is also a consideration for expulsion.

The FIFA Men's World Rankings are updated monthly and rank each team based on their performance in international competitions, qualifiers, and friendly matches. There is also a world ranking for women's football, amended on a quarterly schedule.

=Laws and governance=

File:Home of FIFA - buiding and flags.jpg in Zürich, Switzerland]]

FIFA's headquarters is in Zürich, and it is an association established under the law of Switzerland.

FIFA's supreme body is the FIFA Congress, an assembly of representatives from each affiliated member association. Each national football association has one vote, regardless of size or footballing strength. The Congress assembles in ordinary sessions once every year, and extraordinary sessions have been held once a year since 1998. Congress makes decisions relating to FIFA's governing statutes and their method of implementation and application. Only Congress can pass changes to FIFA's statutes. The congress approves the annual report and decides on the acceptance of new national associations, and holds elections. Congress elects the President of FIFA, its general secretary, and the other members of the FIFA Council in the year following the FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |date=27 May 2011 |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/bodies/congress.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405100855/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/bodies/congress.html |archive-date=5 April 2010 |title=FIFA Congress |publisher=FIFA}}

The FIFA Council – formerly called the FIFA Executive Committee – is the organization's main strategic body, making decisions in the intervals between Congress meetings. The council comprises 37 people: the president, who chairs the Council; 8 vice-presidents; and 28 members from the confederations. Each confederation must elect at least one woman to the Council. Six of the Vice-Presidents hold the role ex officio as the Presidents of the Confederations, and the remaining two must come from UEFA.{{Cite book |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/16d1f7349fa19ade/original/FIFA-Statutes-2024.pdf |title=FIFA STATUTES |year=2024 |edition=May 2024 |pages=33-35}} The Council reviews the bids to host the World Cup and proposes up to three of these to the Congress, which votes to select the host country or countries.{{Cite book |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/16d1f7349fa19ade/original/FIFA-Statutes-2024.pdf |title=FIFA STATUTES |year=2024 |edition=May 2024 |page=55}}

The President and the Secretary General are the main office holders of FIFA and are in charge of its daily administration, carried in by the general secretariat, with its staff of approximately 280 members. Gianni Infantino is the current president, elected on 26 February 2016 at an extraordinary FIFA Congress session after former president Sepp Blatter was suspended pending a corruption investigation.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/08/iss-hayatou-acting-president-fifa-sepp-blatter-suspended |title=Issa Hayatou to be acting Fifa president following suspension of Sepp Blatter |author= |date=8 October 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 October 2015 |archive-date=15 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015202919/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/08/iss-hayatou-acting-president-fifa-sepp-blatter-suspended |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/acting-president/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010023004/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/acting-president/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2015 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=8 December 2015}}

FIFA's worldwide organizational structure also consists of several other bodies under the authority of the FIFA Council or created by Congress as standing committees. Among those bodies are the FIFA Emergency Committee, the FIFA Ethics Committee, the Finance Committee, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Referees Committee.

The FIFA Emergency Committee deals with all matters requiring immediate settlement in the time frame between the regular meetings of the FIFA Council.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/committees/committee=1882020/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529180725/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/committees/committee=1882020/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 May 2015 |title=Emergency Committee |publisher=FIFA |access-date=7 December 2015 }}{{cite news |last=Chaudhary |first=Vivek |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/apr/25/newsstory.sport1 |title=Outraged Scot takes up the chase of Blatter |date=25 April 2002 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=8 December 2015 |archive-date=10 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181611/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/apr/25/newsstory.sport1 |url-status=live }} The Emergency Committee consists of the FIFA president as well as one member from each confederation.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-emergency-idUSKBN0OD1BX20150528 |title=Blatter chairs emergency FIFA meeting as scandal grows |date=28 May 2015 |work=Reuters |access-date=8 December 2015 |archive-date=10 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181742/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-emergency-idUSKBN0OD1BX20150528 |url-status=live }} Emergency Committee decisions made are immediately put into legal effect, although they need to be ratified at the next Executive Committee meeting.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2009/12/04/1665888/fifa-ratify-suspension-of-iraqi-football-association |title=FIFA Ratify Suspension of Iraqi Football Association |date=4 December 2009 |publisher=Goal |access-date=8 December 2015 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306144038/http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2009/12/04/1665888/fifa-ratify-suspension-of-iraqi-football-association |url-status=live }}

=Administrative cost=

FIFA publishes its results according to International Financial Reporting Standards. The total compensation for the management committee in 2011 was 30 million for 35 people. Blatter, the only full-time person on the committee, earned approximately two million Swiss francs, 1.2 million in salary, and the rest in bonuses.{{cite web |url=http://www.bilanz.ch/unternehmen/fifa-boni-von-wegen-30-millionen |title=Fifa-Boni: Von wegen 30 Millionen |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611131139/http://www.bilanz.ch/unternehmen/fifa-boni-von-wegen-30-millionen |archive-date=11 June 2014 |work=Bilanz |date=17 May 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/02/30/12/07/fifafr2013en_neutral.pdf |title=FIFA Financial Report 2013 |page=94 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327075633/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/02/30/12/07/fifafr2013en_neutral.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.persoenlich.com/interview/blatter-joseph-fifa-pr%C3%A4sidentoktober2002-152063 |title=Interview mit: Joseph Blatter |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725165054/http://www.persoenlich.com/interview/blatter-joseph-fifa-pr%C3%A4sidentoktober2002-152063 |archive-date=25 July 2014 |url-status=dead |website=persönlich.com |date=October 2002 }} A report in London's The Sunday Times in June 2014 said the members of the committee had their salaries doubled from $100,000 to $200,000 during the year. The report also said leaked documents had indicated $4.4 million in secret bonuses had been paid to the committee members following the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.{{cite news |title=Report claims FIFA bosses secretly doubled their salaries |url=http://www.sportssun.com/index.php/sid/223159751/scat/c4cdc9be967f45f9/ht/Report-claims-FIFA-bosses-secretly-doubled-their-salaries |access-date=23 June 2014 |publisher=Sports Sun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725084250/http://www.sportssun.com/index.php/sid/223159751/scat/c4cdc9be967f45f9/ht/Report-claims-FIFA-bosses-secretly-doubled-their-salaries|archive-date=25 July 2014|url-status=dead}}

Governance

{{more citations needed section|date=May 2017}}

The laws that govern football known officially as the Laws of the Game, are not solely the responsibility of FIFA; they are maintained by a body called the International Football Association Board (IFAB). FIFA has members on its board (four representatives); the other four are provided by the football associations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, who jointly established IFAB in 1882 and are recognized for the creation and history of the game. Changes to the Laws of the Game must be agreed upon by at least six delegates.

The FIFA Statutes form the overarching document guiding FIFA's governing system. The governing system is divided into separate bodies with the appropriate powers to create a system of checks and balances. It consists of four general bodies: the Congress, the executive committee, the general Secretariat, and standing and ad hoc committees.{{cite web |last=Emory International Law Review |title=FIFA Transfer Regulations and UEFA Player Eligibility Rules: Major Changes in European Football and the Negative Effect on Minors |url=http://www.law.emory.edu/fileadmin/journals/eilr/25/25.1/Lembo.pdf |publisher=Emory International Law Review |access-date=28 March 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319030412/http://www.law.emory.edu/fileadmin/journals/eilr/25/25.1/Lembo.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2013}}

=Discipline of national associations=

FIFA frequently takes active roles in the running of the sport and developing the game around the world. One of its sanctions is to suspend teams and associated members from international competition when a government interferes in the running of FIFA's associate member organizations or if the associate is not functioning correctly.

A 2007 FIFA ruling that a player can be registered with a maximum of three clubs and appear in official matches for a maximum of two in a year measured from 1 July to 30 June has led to controversy, especially in those countries whose seasons cross that date barrier, as in the case of two former Ireland internationals. As a direct result of this controversy, FIFA modified this ruling the following year to accommodate transfers between leagues with out-of-phase seasons.

=Video replay and goal-line technology=

{{See also|Goal-line technology|Video assistant referee}}

FIFA now permits the use of video evidence during matches, as well as for subsequent sanctions. However, for most of FIFA's history it stood opposed to its use.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/05/newsstory.sport8 |title=Fifa rules out video evidence |date=5 January 2005 |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=29 November 2009 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220154213/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/05/newsstory.sport8 |url-status=live }} The 1970 meeting of the International Football Association Board "agreed to request the television authorities to refrain from any slow-motion play-back which reflected, or might reflect, adversely on any decision of the referee".{{cite web |url=http://ssbra.org/html/laws/IFABarc/pdf/1970/1970min.pdf |title=Minutes of the AGM |author=IFAB |publisher=Soccer South Bay Referee Association |location=Inverness |date=27 June 1970 |access-date=29 November 2009 |page=§ 5(i) |no-pp=y|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430093219/http://ssbra.org/html/laws/IFABarc/pdf/1970/1970min.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2011}} As recently as 2008 FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: "Let it be as it is and let's leave [football] with errors. The television companies will have the right to say [the referee] was right or wrong, but still, the referee makes the decision – a man, not a machine."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/fifa-halts-instant-replay-experiment-1.695604 |work=CBC News |title=FIFA halts instant replay experiment |date=8 March 2008 |access-date=20 June 2010 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902164916/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2008/03/08/fifa-instant-replay.html |url-status=live }} This stance was finally overturned on 3 March 2018, when the IFAB wrote video assistant referees (also known as VARs) into the Laws of the Game permanently.{{cite web |title=Historic step for greater fairness in football |url=http://www.theifab.com/news/historic-step-for-greater-fairness-in-football |publisher=IFAB |access-date=6 July 2018 |date=3 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721225556/http://www.theifab.com/news/historic-step-for-greater-fairness-in-football |archive-date=21 July 2018 |url-status=dead}} Their use remains optional for competitions.

In early July 2012 FIFA sanctioned the use of goal-line technology, subject to rules specified by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), who had officially approved its use by amending the Laws of the Game to permit (but not require) its use.{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Graeme |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7870900/goal-line-technology-approved |title=Goal-line technology approved |publisher=Sky Sports |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707011231/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7870900/goal-line-technology-approved |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://football-technology.fifa.com/en/media-tiles/about-goal-line-technology/ |title=About Goal-line Technology |publisher=FIFA |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140841/https://football-technology.fifa.com/en/media-tiles/about-goal-line-technology/ |url-status=live }} This followed a high-profile incident during a second-round game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup between England and Germany, where a shot by Englishman Frank Lampard, which would have levelled the scores at 2–2 in a match that ultimately ended in a 4–1 German victory, crossed the line but was not seen to do so by the match officials, which led FIFA officials to declare that they would re-examine the use of goal-line technology.{{cite news |last=Coomber |first=Michael |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-boss-to-consider-video-replay-1.964232 |title=FIFA boss to consider video replay |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=29 June 2010 |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511131031/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/news/story/2010/06/29/sp-fifa-video.html |url-status=live }}

= Controversy =

The 2015 FIFA corruption scandal exposed a widespread bribery and corruption scheme within the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body of international football. This scandal implicated over two dozen FIFA officials and associates in a 24-year self-enrichment scheme that reached the highest levels of FIFA management. Accusations included bribery related to the awarding of hosting rights for the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

On 27 May 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 14 FIFA officials and marketing executives, charging them with receiving approximately $150 million in bribes over two decades. The scandal led to the arrest of several high-ranking FIFA officials, including vice presidents Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio Figueredo. Although FIFA president Sepp Blatter was not initially named in the criminal investigation, he resigned shortly after being re-elected for a fifth term.

Further investigations uncovered additional corruption, resulting in suspensions and bans for several FIFA executives, including Blatter, Michel Platini, and Jérôme Valcke. The scandal highlighted an organizational culture within FIFA characterized by greed, secrecy, and corruption, severely damaging its reputation and prompting widespread calls for significant reforms in the governance of international football.{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/event/2015-FIFA-corruption-scandal | title=2015 FIFA corruption scandal | Explained, Qatar, & 2022 World Cup | Britannica }}

{{Criticism section|date=February 2022}}

On 28 February 2022, due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and by a recommendation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA suspended the participation of Russia.{{Cite news |title=Fifa and Uefa suspend all Russian teams |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/60560567 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311115939/https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/60560567 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/media-releases/fifa-uefa-suspend-russian-clubs-and-national-teams-from-all-competitions |title=FIFA/UEFA suspend Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions |work=FIFA |date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228173247/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/media-releases/fifa-uefa-suspend-russian-clubs-and-national-teams-from-all-competitions |url-status=live }} The Russian Football Union unsuccessfully appealed the FIFA ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld the ban.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37626479/cas-reject-russia-appeal-world-cup-ban-ukraine-invasion|title=Russia World Cup ban appeal rejected by CAS|date=18 March 2022|website=ESPN.com|access-date=19 March 2022|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319090847/https://www.espn.com/soccer/russia-rus/story/4619546/cas-reject-russias-appeal-over-world-cup-ban-after-ukraine-invasion|url-status=live}} Some observers, while approving of the boycott of Russia, have pointed out that FIFA did not boycott Saddam Hussein's Iraq as an aggressor during the Iran–Iraq War,{{cite news |title=Can soccer plead ignorance? A World Cup of politics is brewing for Qatar 2022 |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/can-soccer-plead-ignorance-a-world-cup-of-politics-is-brewing-for-qatar-2022/ |work=Atlantic Council |date=6 May 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605193412/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/can-soccer-plead-ignorance-a-world-cup-of-politics-is-brewing-for-qatar-2022/ |url-status=live }} Saudi Arabia for its military intervention in Yemen,{{cite news |title=FIFA suspends Russia from World Cup, all soccer competitions: What it means, how it works |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37625920/means-how-works |work=ESPN |date=1 March 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311060832/https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/4606147/fifa-suspends-russia-from-world-cupall-soccer-competitions-what-it-meanshow-it-works |url-status=live }} Qatar for its human rights violations,{{cite news |title=The hypocrisy of cultural boycotts |url=https://thecritic.co.uk/the-hypocrisy-of-cultural-boycotts/ |work=The Critic |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307132719/https://thecritic.co.uk/the-hypocrisy-of-cultural-boycotts/ |url-status=live }} or the United States for the actions of the US military during the Iraq War.{{cite news |title=FIFA Slammed as Internet Compares Treatment of Russia to U.S. in Iraq War |url=https://www.newsweek.com/fifa-slammed-internet-compares-treatment-russia-us-iraq-war-1683377 |work=Newsweek |date=28 February 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312134845/https://www.newsweek.com/fifa-slammed-internet-compares-treatment-russia-us-iraq-war-1683377 |url-status=live }}

FIFA previously banned Indonesia due to government intervention within the team. FIFA requires members to play "with no influence from third parties".{{Cite news |date=15 June 2015 |title=FIFA Bans Indonesia From International Soccer |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fifa-bans-indonesia-from-international-soccer-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers-1433496214 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228080826/https://www.wsj.com/articles/fifa-bans-indonesia-from-international-soccer-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers-1433496214 |url-status=live }}

On 23 October 2024, a new controversy came up as allegations against FIFA were made by players from several countries claiming the organization did not pay them agreed sums of money. The total reaching with sums reaching up to £3m. According to reports Four hundred and twenty players did not get paid as agreed with FIFA.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Fifa accused of not paying out over £3m from a player fund for contracts not honoured by clubs |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy0lnlej1j8o |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Recognition and awards

FIFA holds an annual awards ceremony, The Best FIFA Football Awards since 2016, which recognizes both individual and team achievements in international association football. Individually, the top men's player is awarded The Best FIFA Men's Player, and the top women's player is The Best FIFA Women's Player. Other prominent awards are The Best FIFA Football Coach and FIFA FIFPRO World 11.

In 2000, FIFA presented two awards, FIFA Club of the Century and FIFA Player of the Century, to decide the greatest football club and player of the 20th century. Real Madrid was the club winner, while Diego Maradona and Pelé were the joint player's winners.

FIFA variants

  1. Association football: Recognized 1904 (men), 1988 (women)
  2. Futsal: Recognized 1986 (men), 2023 (women){{cite web | url=http://old.futsalplanet.com/story/story-international-02.asp?CompetizioneInternazionale=73 | title=Futsal Planet }}{{cite web | url=https://www.dugoutchennai.com/futsal/history-and-guide-to-futsal-game/ | title=Everything You Need to Know About Futsal Turf Game History }}
  3. Esports: Recognized 2004
  4. Beach soccer: Recognized 2005 (men), 2019 (women)

Tournaments

{{See also|List of association football competitions|FIFA International Match Calendar}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

=National teams=

=Clubs=

=eSports=

=Former tournaments=

==One-time Tournaments==

Current title holders

{{See also|Portal:Current events/Sports|{{CURRENTYEAR}} in association football|{{CURRENTYEAR}} in sports|FIFA International Match Calendar}}

class="wikitable"
Competition

| width="1%" rowspan=1 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

! Year

! Champions

! Details

! Runners-up

| width="1%" rowspan=1 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

! Next{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments |title=Tournaments |publisher=FIFA |access-date=11 October 2022}}

colspan="8" |National teams
|FIFA World Cup (qualification)

| rowspan="9" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;" |

| {{Nowrap|2022 (qual.)}}

| style="text-align:right" |{{fb-rt|ARG}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fb|FRA}}

| rowspan="9" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;" |

| 2026 (qual.)

Men's Olympic Football Tournament
(U-23)

| 2024 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |Spain {{flagdeco|ESP}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagdeco|FRA}} France

| 2028 (qual.)

FIFA U-20 World Cup

| 2023 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fbu-rt|20|URU}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbu|20|ITA}}

| 2025 (qual.)

FIFA U-17 World Cup

| 2023 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fbu-rt|17|GER}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbu|17|FRA}}

| 2025 (qual.)

FIFA Futsal World Cup

| 2024 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{futsal-rt|BRA}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{futsal|ARG}}

| 2028 (qual.)

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
(see BSWW)

| 2024 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{beachsoccer-rt|BRA}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{beachsoccer|ITA}}

| 2025 (qual.)

FIFA Series

|2024

| style="text-align:right" |{{fb-rt|ALG}}
{{fb-rt|BUL}}
{{fb-rt|CRO}}
{{fb-rt|CPV}}
{{fb-rt|GUI}}
{{fb-rt|CAR}}

| style="text-align:center" |RR
RR
Final
RR
RR
RR

|{{fb|BOL}}
{{fb|AZE}}
{{fb|EGY}}
{{fb|GUY}}
{{fb|BRU}}
{{fb|SL}}

|2026

FIFA Youth Series

|

|

|

|

|2025

FIFA Arab Cup
(senior teams of the UAFA (Arab world))

| 2021 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fb-rt|ALG}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fb|TUN}}

| 2025

colspan="8" |Women's national teams
FIFA Women's World Cup (qualification)

| width="1%" rowspan=5 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

| 2023 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fbw-rt|ESP}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbw|ENG}}

| width="1%" rowspan=5 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

| 2027 (qual.)

Women's Olympic Football Tournament

| 2024 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fbw-rt|USA}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbw|BRA}}

| 2028 (qual.)

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

| 2024 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fbwu-rt|20|PRK}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbwu|20|JPN}}

| 2026 (qual.)

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

| 2024 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |{{fbwu-rt|17|PRK}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbwu|17|ESP}}

| 2025 (qual.)

FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup

| —

| style="text-align:right" |—

| style="text-align:center" |—

| —

| 2025

colspan="8" |Club teams
FIFA Club World Cup

| width="1%" rowspan=3 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

| 2023 (qual.)

| style="text-align:right" |Manchester City {{fbaicon|ENG}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbaicon|BRA}} Fluminense

| width="1%" rowspan=3 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

| 2025 (qual.)

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

| 2024

| style="text-align:right" |Real Madrid {{fbaicon|ESP}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{fbaicon|MEX}} Pachuca

| 2025

Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup

| 2024

| style="text-align:right" |Red Bull Salzburg {{flagicon|AUT}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|SUI}} Zürich

| 2025

colspan="8" |Women's club teams
FIFA Women's Club World Cup

| rowspan="3" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;" |

| —

| style="text-align:right" |—

| style="text-align:center" |—

| —

| rowspan="3" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;" |

| 2028

FIFA Women's Champions Cup

|—

| style="text-align:right" |—

| style="text-align:center" |—

|—

|2026

Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup

| 2024

| style="text-align:right" |Arsenal {{flagicon|ENG}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|SUI}} Basel

| 2025

=eSports=

{{See also|Portal:Current events/Sports|{{CURRENTYEAR}} in esports|{{CURRENTYEAR}} in sports}}

class="wikitable sortable"
Competitio

| width="1%" rowspan=10 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

! Season

! Game

! Winner
(Player/Gamer ID)

! Details

! Runner-up
(Player/Gamer ID)

| width="1%" rowspan=10 style="background-color:#ffffff;"|

! Season

colspan="10" |Esports
rowspan="5" align=left | FIFAe World Cup

| 2022{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-world-cup-2022/knockouts |title=Knockouts {{!}} FIFAe World Cup 2022 |website=FIFAe |access-date=17 June 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704163057/https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-world-cup-2022/knockouts |url-status=live }}

| EA Sports FIFA 22

| style="text-align:right" | Umut - Umut Gültekin {{flagicon|GER}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|ARG}} Nicolas Villalba - Nicolas99FC

| 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-world-cup-2023 |title=Overview {{!}} FIFAe World Cup 2023 |website=FIFAe |access-date=13 December 2022 }}

2024

| Football Manager 2024

| style="text-align:right" | Ichsan Taufiq (manager), Manar Hidayat (assistant) {{flagicon|IDN}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|GER}} Sven Golly (manager), Terry Whenett (assistant)

| 2025

2024

| Rocket League

| style="text-align:right" | Yazid Bakhashwin-Kiileerrz, Saleh Bakhashwin-Rw9, Mohammed Alotaibi-trk511 {{flagicon|KSA}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|FRA}} Axel Touret-Vatira, Evan Rogez-M0nkey M00n, Alexis Bernier-Zen

| 2025

rowspan="2" align=left | 2024

| eFootball Console

| style="text-align:right" |Binong Boys,
Shnks-Elga,
Akbar Paudie
{{flagicon|IDN}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|BRA}}
GuiFera99,
STS_Jvictor,
ThiagoAvare10

|rowspan="2" align=left | 2025

eFootball Mobile

| style="text-align:right" |Minbappe {{flagicon|MAS}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|MAR}} An10_Tienes

FIFAe Club World Cup
(part of the FIFAe Club Series)

| 2022{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-club-series-2022/fifae-club-world-cup-2022/knockouts |title=Knockouts {{!}} FIFAe Club World Cup 2022 {{!}} FIFAe Club Series 2022 |website=FIFAe |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719160826/https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-club-series-2022/fifae-club-world-cup-2022/knockouts |url-status=live }}

| EA Sports FIFA 22

| style="text-align:right" | Riders {{flagicon|POR}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|ENG}} SAF

| 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-club-series-2023 |title=Overview {{!}} FIFAe Club Series 2023 |website=FIFAe |access-date=13 December 2022 }}

|FIFAe Nations Series
(part of the FIFAe Nations Cup)

| 2023{{Cite web |title=Knockouts {{!}} FIFAe Nations Series 2023 {{!}} FIFAe Nations Cup 2023 |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-nations-series-2023/fifae-nations-cup-2023/knockouts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715052521/https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-nations-series-2023/fifae-nations-cup-2023/knockouts |archive-date=15 July 2023 |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=FIFAe}}

| EA Sports FIFA 23

| style="text-align:right" |

(Paulo Henrique Chaves)
(Pedro Henrique Soares)
(Paulo Neto) {{flagicon|BRA}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{Flagicon|Netherlands}}

(Levi de Weerd)
(Manuel Bachoore)
(Emre Yilmaz)

| 2024

FIFAe Continental Cup

| 2022{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fecc21/final/final-stage |title=Final {{!}} FIFAe Continental Cup 2021 |website=FIFAe |access-date=19 June 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723033021/https://www.fifa.gg/c/fecc21/final/final-stage |url-status=live }}

|

| style="text-align:right" | ProGamer {{flagicon|VIE}}

| style="text-align:center" |Final

| {{flagicon|KOR}} Crazy Win

| 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-continental-cup-2022 |title=Overview {{!}} FIFAe Continental Cup 2022 |website=FIFAe |access-date=19 June 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604025006/https://www.fifa.gg/c/fifae-continental-cup-2022 |url-status=live }}

FIFA World Rankings

{{Further|FIFA Men's World Ranking|FIFA Women's World Ranking}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Men's=

The following table has the Top 20 ranked men's football countries worldwide.{{cite web |title=FIFA Rankings – Men's football |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men |work=FIFA |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506101624/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/ |url-status=live }}

{{Sports rankings table|FIFA World Rankings|1|20

|style=margin-left:1em;

|caption=

|header1=

|header2=Top 20 rankings as of INSERT_UPDATE_DATEINSERT_REFERENCE

|footer1=*Change from INSERT_LAST_DATE

|footer2=[https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men Complete rankings at FIFA.com]

}}

{{col-break}}

{{col-2}}

=Women's=

The following table has the Top 20 ranked women's football countries in the world.{{cite web |title=FIFA Rankings – Women's football |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/women |publisher=FIFA |access-date=23 May 2021 |archive-date=15 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115034643/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/women/ |url-status=live }}

{{Sports rankings table|FIFA Women's World Rankings|1|20

|style=margin-left:1em;

|caption=

|header1=

|header2=Top 20 rankings as of INSERT_UPDATE_DATEINSERT_REFERENCE

|footer1=*Change from INSERT_LAST_DATE

|footer2=[https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/women Complete rankings at FIFA.com]

}}

{{col-end}}

Sponsors of FIFA

{{Updated|October 2024}}

=FIFA Partners=

  • Adidas{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/adidas.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628014011/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/adidas.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2011 |website=FIFA.com |title=adidas |access-date=10 August 2014}}
  • Aramco{{cite web |url= https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/commercial/partners/aramco |title=Aramco |author= |date= |website=FIFA.com |publisher= |access-date=2024-04-26 |quote=}}
  • Coca-Cola{{cite web |title=COCA-COLA |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/cocacola.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621082306/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/cocacola.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 June 2011 |website=FIFA.com |access-date=10 August 2014}}
  • HyundaiKia{{cite web |title=Hyundai / Kia Motors |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/hyundai.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704110846/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/hyundai.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2011 |website=FIFA.com |access-date=10 August 2014}}
  • Lenovo{{cite web|url=https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/commercial/media-releases/lenovo-named-official-fifa-technology-partner|title=Lenovo named Official FIFA Technology Partner|publisher=FIFA|access-date=October 15, 2024}}
  • Qatar Airways{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2017/m=5/news=qatar-airways-official-partner-airline-fifa-2882728.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029174551/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2017/m=5/news=qatar-airways-official-partner-airline-fifa-2882728.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2017 |work=FIFA Website |title=Qatar Airways announced as Official Partner and Official Airline of FIFA until 2022}}
  • Visa{{cite web |title=VISA |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/visa.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627052518/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/marketing/fifapartners/visa.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 June 2011 |work=FIFA |access-date=10 August 2014}}

FIFA+

{{Infobox website

| name = FIFA+

| logo = FIFA+.svg

| type = OTT streaming platform

| language = English

| location_city = Paris

| location_country = France

| country_of_origin = France

| area_served = France

| owner = FIFA

| url = {{URL|https://plus.fifa.com/}}

| registration = Required

| launch_date = {{date|df=no|2022}}

| current_status = Active

}}

In April 2022 FIFA launched FIFA+,{{cite web |title=FIFA launches FIFA+ to bring free football entertainment to fans everywhere |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/media-releases/fifa-launches-fifa-to-bring-free-football-entertainment-to-fans-everywhere |work=FIFA |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413200025/https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/media-releases/fifa-launches-fifa-to-bring-free-football-entertainment-to-fans-everywhere |url-status=live }} an OTT service providing up to 40,000 live matches per year, including 11,000 women's matches.{{cite web |title=FIFA Plus launches with over 40,000 free soccer matches to watch live |date=13 April 2022 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/13/23023300/fifa-plus-free-40000-live-matches-original-content |publisher=The Verge |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413141818/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/13/23023300/fifa-plus-free-40000-live-matches-original-content |url-status=live }} It was also confirmed that FIFA would make available archival content, including every FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup match recorded on camera,{{cite web |title=Soccer Streaming Platform FIFA Plus Launches, Will Have 40,000 Live Games Annually |date=12 April 2022 |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/fifa-plus-launch-football-streaming-soccer-1235229894/ |publisher=Variety |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413193015/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/fifa-plus-launch-football-streaming-soccer-1235229894/ |url-status=live }} together with original documentary content.{{cite web |title=FIFA gets into the streaming business with the new soccer platform FIFA+ |date=12 April 2022 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/12/fifa-gets-into-the-streaming-business-with-the-new-soccer-platform-fifa |publisher=TechCrunch |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413210347/https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/12/fifa-gets-into-the-streaming-business-with-the-new-soccer-platform-fifa/ |url-status=live }} Eleven Sports was later reported to be responsible for populating the FIFA+ platform with live matches.{{cite web |title=Fifa+ appoints Eleven to power and supply live soccer matches | date=14 April 2022 |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/fifa-plus-eleven-ott-streaming-live-games/?blocktaxonomy=news |publisher=Sports Pro |access-date=14 April 2022}}

FIFA+ broadcast all matches of the youth World Cups in both genders, starting with the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.{{cite web |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ |url=https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/showcase/fifa-u-20-world-cup-2023tm/798eb4f7-9fcd-4446-8f34-a2c20ab4fa53 |website=FIFA+ |access-date=20 January 2025}} FIFA+ also showed the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup live in selected regions such as Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand.{{cite web |url=https://advanced-television.com/2023/07/21/fifa-strong-broadcast-platform-for-womens-world-cup-2023/ |title=FIFA: 'Strong broadcast platform for Women's World Cup 2023' |last1=Mann |first1=Colin |date=21 July 2023 |publisher=Advanced Television |access-date=10 November 2023}}

FIFA+ have the rights to competitions in Oceania including the OFC Champions League and the OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/showcase/live-streams-ofc-men-s-champions-league/300ec768-0a05-489f-9445-98c412c5e6dc?gl=au&fbclid=IwAR1hz17z1RbO1E1lU3yxFubF3Ly_K34KzmezPuTLG5iXFR5A6cpd3EIGFeA |title=Live Streams - OFC Men's Champions League |publisher=FIFA |access-date=8 February 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=831243879032428&set=a.625298079627010 |title=The OFC Men's Champions League - National Playoffs kick-off today! |publisher=Oceania Football Confederation |date=8 February 2024 |access-date=8 February 2024}}{{cite web |title=HOW TO WATCH: WOMEN'S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT – OCEANIA QUALIFIER |url=https://www.oceaniafootball.com/how-to-watch-womens-olympic-football-tournament-oceania-qualifier/ |website=Oceania Football Confederation |date=7 February 2024 |access-date=7 February 2024}} They also have rights to the New Zealand domestic competitions and national teams.{{cite web |date=22 September 2023 |title=New Zealand Football signs long-term partnership with FIFA+ to make international friendlies and domestic competitions free to watch |url=https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/133238 |website=New Zealand Football |access-date=7 November 2023 }}{{cite web |date=16 October 2023 |title=How to watch New Zealand football live on FIFA+ |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/news/articles/how-to-watch-new-zealand-football-live-on-fifa-plus |website=FIFA |access-date=7 November 2023 }}

=Competitions=

=Channels=

{{Location map many|World|width=775|float=left

|alt=List of FIFA+ Channels

|caption=FIFA+ Channels.

|coordinates1={{coord|14|59|N|103|06|E}}|position1=top|label1_size=100|mark1=Red pog.svg|label1=TrueVsions Now

}}

FIFA Innovation Programme

2021-23 Members:

  • Playermaker
  • AiSCOUT
  • Vivaturf{{Cite web|url=https://sportsfields.info/vivaturf-non-filled-system-selected-for-fifa-study/|title=FIFA selects Vivaturf non-filled system for study|date=June 2021 }}
  • HUMANOX{{Cite web|url=https://humanox.com/en/2021/11/08/fifa-includes-humanox-in-its-innovation-programme/|title=FIFA includes HUMANOX in its Innovation Programme}}
  • Vieww{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/opinions/bundesliga-var-vieww-referee-deltatre-sportec-solutions/|title=The Bundesliga, Vieww, and the opportunities of a combined data and video officiating ecosystem|date=13 October 2022 }}

Corruption

{{Further|2015 FIFA corruption case}}

In May 2006, British investigative reporter Andrew Jennings' book Foul! The Secret World of FIFA: Bribes, Vote-Rigging, and Ticket Scandals (HarperCollins) caused controversy within the football world by detailing an alleged international cash-for-contracts scandal following the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner International Sport and Leisure (ISL) and revealed how some football officials had been urged to secretly repay the sweeteners they received. The book also alleged that vote-rigging had occurred in the fight for Sepp Blatter's continued control of FIFA as the organization's president. Shortly after the release of Foul! a BBC Panorama exposé by Jennings and BBC producer Roger Corke, screened on 11 June 2006, reported that Blatter was being investigated by Swiss police over his role in a secret deal to repay more than £1m worth of bribes pocketed by football officials. Lord Triesman, the former chairman of the English Football Association, described FIFA as an organization that "behaves like a mafia family," highlighting the organization's "decades-long traditions of bribes, bungs, and corruption".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27801996 |title=BBC News Fifa 'like a mafia family' says former FA boss Triesman |date=11 June 2014 |access-date=3 October 2014 |website=BBC News |archive-date=2 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002141724/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27801996 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.transparencyinsport.org/Did_Blatter's_Mob_friends_fix_2018_for_Russia/PDF-documents/(6)fifas-dirty-secrets-script.pdf|title=FIFA'S DIRTY SECRETS {{!}} BBC Panorama}}

All testimonies offered in the Panorama exposé were provided through a disguised voice, appearance, or both, save one: Mel Brennan, a former CONCACAF official, became the first high-level football insider to go public with substantial allegations of corruption, nonfeasance, and malfeasance by CONCACAF and FIFA leadership. Brennan—the highest-level African-American in the history of world football governance—joined Jennings, Trinidadian journalist Lisana Liburd, and many others in exposing allegedly inappropriate allocations of money by CONCACAF and drew connections between ostensible CONCACAF criminality and similar behaviours at FIFA. Since then, and in the light of fresh allegations of corruption by FIFA in late 2010,{{cite news |first=Martyn |last=Ziegler |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-corruption-pair-suspended-2137472.html |title=Fifa suspend six officials |date=18 November 2010 |work=The Independent |location=London |access-date=18 November 2010 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123085050/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-corruption-pair-suspended-2137472.html |url-status=live }} both Jennings and Brennan remain highly critical of FIFA. Brennan has called directly for an alternative to FIFA to be considered by the stakeholders of the sport worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00bws9k/World_Football_20_11_2010/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308000808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00bws9k/World_Football_20_11_2010/ |archive-date=8 March 2013 |title=BBC iPlayer – World Football: 20/11/2010 |publisher=BBC |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=9 July 2011}}

In a further Panorama exposé broadcast on 29 November 2010, Jennings alleged that three senior FIFA officials, Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira, had been paid huge bribes by ISL between 1989 and 1999, which FIFA had failed to investigate. Jennings claimed they appeared on a list of 175 bribes paid by ISL, totalling about $100 million. A former ISL executive said there were suspicions within the company that they were only awarded the marketing contract for successive World Cups by paying bribes to FIFA officials. The program also alleged that another current official, Jack Warner, has been repeatedly involved in reselling World Cup tickets to touts; Blatter said that FIFA had not investigated the allegation because it had not been told about it via 'official channels.'

Panorama also alleged that FIFA requires nations bidding to host the World Cup to agree to implement special laws, including a blanket tax exemption for FIFA and its corporate sponsors and limitation of workers rights. Contrary to FIFA's demands, these conditions were revealed by the Dutch government, resulting in them being told by FIFA that their bid could be adversely affected. Following Jennings' earlier investigations, he was banned from all FIFA press conferences for reasons he claimed had not been made clear. The accused officials failed to answer questions about his latest allegations verbally or by letter.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Andy Anson, head of England's World Cup bid, criticized the timing of the broadcast three days before FIFA decided on the host for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, because it might damage England's bid; the voters included officials accused by the program.{{cite episode |series=Panorama |network=BBC One |date=29 November 2010 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11841783 |title=Panorama: Three Fifa World Cup officials took bribe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712212229/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11841783 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |url-status=dead |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2010 }}

In June 2011, it came to light that the International Olympic Committee had started inquiry proceedings against FIFA honorary president João Havelange into claims of bribery. Panorama alleged that Havelange accepted a $1 million 'bung' in 1997 from ISL. The IOC stated that it "takes all allegations of corruption very seriously, and we would always ask for any evidence of wrongdoing involving any IOC members to be passed to our ethics commission".{{cite news |author=International |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8581704/Fifa-honourary-president-Joao-Havelange-faces-IOC-inquiry.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8581704/Fifa-honourary-president-Joao-Havelange-faces-IOC-inquiry.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Fifa {{Sic |nolink=y|honou|rary |expected=honorary}} president Joao Havelange faces IOC inquiry |work=Daily Telegraph |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}

In a 2014 interview, American sportswriter Dave Zirin said that corruption is endemic to FIFA leadership and that the organization should be abolished for the game's good. He said that currently, FIFA is in charge of both monitoring corruption in association football matches and marketing and selling the sport, but that two "separate" organizational bodies are needed: an organizational body that monitors corruption and match-fixing and the like and an organization that's responsible for marketing and sponsorships and selling the sport. Zirin said the idea of having a single organization responsible for both seems highly ineffective and detrimental to the sport.{{cite news |url=http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=12014 |title=Dave Zirin: Abolish FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702183157/http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=12014 |archive-date=2 July 2015 |date=17 June 2014 |url-status=dead |author=Dave Zirin |work=The Real News Network }}

In May 2015, 14 people were arrested, including nine FIFA officials, after being accused of corruption.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/27/several-top-fifa-officials-arrested |title=Fifa officials arrested on corruption charges as World Cup inquiry launched |work=The Guardian |date=27 May 2015 |access-date=14 June 2018 |archive-date=27 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527081541/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/27/several-top-fifa-officials-arrested |url-status=live }}

In the 2022 World Cup bid, Qatar was honoured to host the World Cup. Since then it has been discovered that Qatar paid as much as $200 billion to host the World Cup. This information was discovered by the Tass news agency in Russia.{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022-how-much-money-host-nation-spent-on-the-most-expensive-mens-tournament/articleshow/96319520.cms |title=FIFA World Cup 2022:How much money host nation spent on the most expensive men's tournament? |work=The Economic Times|date=17 December 2022 |access-date=12 January 2023 }}

=Guilty pleas=

Between 2013 and 2015 four individuals, and two sports television rights corporations pleaded guilty to United States financial misconduct charges. The pleas of Chuck Blazer, José Hawilla, Daryan Warner, Darrell Warner, Traffic Group and Traffic Sports USA were unsealed in May 2015. In another 2015 case, Singapore also imposed a 6-year "harshest sentence ever received for match-fixing" on match-fixer Eric Ding who had bribed three Lebanese FIFA football officials with prostitutes as an inducement to fix future matches that they would officiate, as well as perverting the course of justice.{{cite news |last=Chelvan |first=Vanessa Paige |title=Convicted match-fixer Eric Ding's jail term extended to 6 years |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/convicted-match-fixer/2211108.html |access-date=2 December 2015 |publisher=CNA |archive-date=26 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126122839/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/convicted-match-fixer/2211108.html |url-status=dead }}

=Indictments and arrests=

Fourteen FIFA officials and marketing executives were indicted by the United States Department of Justice in May 2015. The officials were arrested in Switzerland and are in the process of extradition to the US. Specific charges (brought under the RICO act) include wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220102/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html |archive-date=2 January 2022 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=FIFA Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges; Blatter Isn't Among Them |date=27 May 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=19 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}

"Swiss authorities say they have also opened a separate criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids".{{cite web |url=http://www.local10.com/news/fbi-searching-south-florida-offices-linked-to-fifa-in-a-soccer-scandal/33238236 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528013934/http://www.local10.com/news/fbi-searching-south-florida-offices-linked-to-fifa-in-a-soccer-scandal/33238236 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2015 |title=FBI searching South Florida offices linked to FIFA in soccer scandal |author=WPLG |work=Local10 }}

FIFA's top officials were arrested at a hotel in Switzerland on suspicion of receiving bribes totalling $100m (£65m). The US Department of Justice stated that nine FIFA officials and four executives of sports management companies were arrested and accused of over $150m in bribes.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/27/fifa-corruption-arrests-key-questions-answered |title=Fifa corruption arrests: key questions answered |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221082158/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/27/fifa-corruption-arrests-key-questions-answered |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=27 May 2015 }} The UK Shadow Home Secretary and Labour Member of Parliament, Andy Burnham, stated in May 2015 that England should boycott the 2018 World Cup against corruption in FIFA and military aggression by Russia.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/31/england-boycott-2018-world-cup-andy-burnham |title=England should boycott 2018 World Cup, says Andy Burnham |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204024719/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/31/england-boycott-2018-world-cup-andy-burnham |archive-date=4 December 2016 |url-status=live |work=Guardian |date=31 May 2015 }}

=2018 and 2022 World Cup bids=

{{further|2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bids|Garcia Report}}

FIFA's choice to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been widely criticized by media.{{cite news |author=Simon Barnes |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/fifa-is-a-gathering-of-nasty-mad-old-men/story-fn76vhk4-1225966425228 |title=FIFA is a gathering of nasty, mad old men |work=The Australian |date=6 December 2010 |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=6 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206043123/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/fifa-is-a-gathering-of-nasty-mad-old-men/story-fn76vhk4-1225966425228 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Martin |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-worldcupvote120210 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207100738/http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-worldcupvote120210 |archive-date=7 December 2010 |title=Qatar selection adds to FIFA's ongoing folly – World Soccer |date=2 December 2010 |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |access-date=22 December 2010}}{{cite web |last=Seltzer |first=Greg |url=http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2010/12/media-reaction-world-cup-voting |title=Media Reaction to World Cup Voting |publisher=Philadelphia Union |date=3 December 2010 |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215073402/http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2010/12/media-reaction-world-cup-voting |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/MarkGleeson/FIFA-SAFA-voting-baffling-20101206 |title=FIFA, SAFA voting baffling: Sport: Columnists: Mark Gleeson |publisher=Sport24.co.za |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=13 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073023/http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/MarkGleeson/FIFA-SAFA-voting-baffling-20101206 |url-status=live }} It has been alleged that some FIFA inside sources insist that the Russian kickbacks of cash and gifts given to FIFA executive members were enough to secure the Russian 2018 bid weeks before the result was announced.{{cite news |last=Yallop |first=David |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8181639/England-World-Cup-bid-how-did-we-get-it-so-wrong.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/8181639/England-World-Cup-bid-how-did-we-get-it-so-wrong.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=England World Cup bid: how did we get it so wrong? |newspaper=Telegraph |date=4 December 2010 |access-date=22 December 2010 |location=London}}{{cbignore}} Sepp Blatter was widely criticized in the media for giving a warning about the "evils of the media" in a speech to FIFA executive committee members shortly before they voted on the hosting of the 2018 World Cup, a reference to The Sunday Times exposés,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11559801 |title=Fifa launches investigation into vote-selling claims |work=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2010 |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=8 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208040337/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11559801 |url-status=live }} and the Panorama investigation.{{cite news |author=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/03/world-cup-fifa-sepp-blatter |title=England World Cup chief: Fifa's Sepp Blatter spoke of 'evils of media |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=3 December 2010 |access-date=22 December 2010 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220154325/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/dec/03/world-cup-fifa-sepp-blatter |url-status=live }}

Two members of FIFA's executive committee were banned from all football-related activity in November 2010 for allegedly offering to sell their votes to undercover newspaper reporters. In early May 2011, a British parliamentary inquiry into why England failed to secure the 2018 finals was told by a member of parliament, Damian Collins, that there was evidence from The Sunday Times newspaper that Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast were paid by Qatar. Qatar has categorically denied the allegations, as have Hayatou and Anouma.{{cite web |url=http://www.afrikansoccer.com/2011/05/qatar-denies-paying-world-cup-bribes-to-hayatou-anouma/ |title=Qatar denies paying World Cup bribes to Hayatou, Anouma |publisher=Afrikansoccer.com |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909025719/http://www.afrikansoccer.com/2011/05/qatar-denies-paying-world-cup-bribes-to-hayatou-anouma/ |archive-date=9 September 2011}}

FIFA president Blatter said, {{as of|2011|May|23|lc=y}}, that the British newspaper The Sunday Times has agreed to bring its whistle-blowing source to meet senior FIFA officials, who will decide whether to order a new investigation into alleged World Cup bidding corruption. "[The Sunday Times] are happy, they agreed that they will bring this whistleblower here to Zürich and then we will have a discussion, an investigation of this", Blatter said.

Specifically, the whistle-blower claims that FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar.{{cite news |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/ffa-coy-on-world-cup-bid-rerun-20110520-1ewr2.html |first1=Liam |last1=FitzGibbon |title=FFA coy on World Cup bid re-run |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523132140/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/ffa-coy-on-world-cup-bid-rerun-20110520-1ewr2.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/923253/fifa-investigates-bin-hammam-bribery-claims?cc=5739 |title=FIFA investigates Bin Hammam bribery claims |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=28 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528071350/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/923253/fifa-investigates-bin-hammam-bribery-claims?cc=5739 |url-status=dead }} The emirate's bid beat the United States in a final round of voting last December. Blatter did not rule out reopening the 2022 vote if corruption could be proved, but urged taking the matter "step by step". The FIFA president said his organization is "anxiously awaiting" more evidence before asking its ethics committee to examine allegations made in Britain's Parliament in early May 2011.

Hayatou, who is from Cameroon, leads the Confederation of African Football and is a FIFA vice-president. Anouma is president of Ivorian Football Federation. The whistle-blower said Qatar agreed to pay a third African voter, Amos Adamu, for his support. The Nigerian was later suspended from voting after a FIFA ethics court ruled he solicited bribes from undercover Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists. Blatter said the newspaper and its whistle-blower would meet with FIFA secretary general, Jérôme Valcke, and legal director, Marco Villiger.

Allegations against FIFA officials have also been made to the UK Parliament by David Triesman, the former head of England's bid and the English Football Association. Triesman told the lawmakers that four long-standing FIFA executive committee members—Jack Warner, Nicolás Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi—engaged in "improper and unethical" conduct in the 2018 bidding, which was won by Russia. All six FIFA voters have denied wrongdoing.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6565931/fifa-meet-qatar-2022-bid-whistleblower |agency= Associated Press |title=Sepp Blatter: FIFA to meet Qatar 2022 bid whistleblower |publisher=ESPN |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811142257/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6565931/fifa-meet-qatar-2022-bid-whistleblower |url-status=live }}

On 28 September 2015, Sepp Blatter suggested that the 2018 World Cup being awarded to Russia was planned before the voting, and that the 2022 World Cup would have then been awarded to the United States. However, this plan changed after the election ballot, and the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar instead of the US.{{cite news |title=Sepp Blatter: Russia 2018 World Cup 'agreed before vote' |date=28 October 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34657900 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101010331/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34657900 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Riach |first=James |title=Sepp Blatter: Russia was chosen as 2018 World Cup host before vote |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/28/sepp-blatter-fifa-russia-2018-world-cup-vote |date=28 October 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221081914/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/28/sepp-blatter-fifa-russia-2018-world-cup-vote |url-status=live }}

According to leaked documents seen by The Sunday Times, Qatari state-run television channel Al Jazeera secretly offered $400 million to FIFA, for broadcasting rights, just 21 days before FIFA announced that Qatar would hold the 2022 World Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Qatar-offered-FIFA-880-million-for-hosting-the-2022-World-Cup-582998 |title=Qatar offered FIFA $880 million for hosting the 2022 World Cup - report|first1= Alon |last1=Einhorn |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=10 March 2019 |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311064625/https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Qatar-offered-FIFA-880-million-for-hosting-the-2022-World-Cup-582998 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/revealed-qatars-secret-880m-world-cup-payments-to-fifa-p3r5rvw9x |url-access=subscription |title=Exclusive investigation: Qatar's secret $880m World Cup payments to Fifa |work=The Sunday Times |date=10 March 2019 |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=10 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310150437/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/revealed-qatars-secret-880m-world-cup-payments-to-fifa-p3r5rvw9x |url-status=live }}

On 17 July 2012, in the wake of announced anti-corruption reforms by Sepp Blatter, the president of the FIFA,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jul/17/fifa-michael-j-garcia-football-corruption|title=Fifa appoints Michael J Garcia to investigate football corruption|agency=Associated Press |date=17 July 2012 |website=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007151341/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jul/17/fifa-michael-j-garcia-football-corruption |archive-date= 7 October 2023 }} the organization appointed US lawyer Michael J. Garcia as the chairman of the investigative chamber of FIFA Ethics Committee, while German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert was appointed as the chairman of the Ethics Committee's adjudication chamber.{{cite web|title=FIFA unveils new crime fighting duo to tackle corruption in soccer|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/17/sport/football/football-fifa-ethics-corruption/|publisher=CNN|date=17 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016094614/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/17/sport/football/football-fifa-ethics-corruption/ |archive-date= 16 October 2023 }}

In August 2012, Garcia declared his intention to investigate the bidding process and decision to respectively award the right to host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup to Russia and Qatar by the FIFA Executive Committee.{{cite news |date=26 August 2012 |title=FIFA to look into World Cup winning bids |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-27/fifa-to-look-into-world-cup-winning-bids/4224368 |agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016094616/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-27/fifa-to-look-into-world-cup-winning-bids/4224368 |archive-date= 16 October 2023 }} Garcia delivered his subsequent 350-page report in September 2014, and Eckert then announced that it would not be made public for legal reasons.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/24/michael-garcia-fifa-investigation-public-world-cup|title=FIFA prosecutor Michael Garcia calls for World Cup report to be made public|work=The Guardian|date=24 September 2014 |first1=Owen |last1=Gibson |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231004100435/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/24/michael-garcia-fifa-investigation-public-world-cup |archive-date= 4 October 2023 }}

On 13 November 2014, Eckert released a 42-page summary of his findings after reviewing Garcia's report. The summary cleared both Russia and Qatar of any wrongdoing during the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups,{{cite news |date=13 November 2014 |title=FIFA corruption report: Who is to blame and what happens now? |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30042309 |agency=BBC |first1=Richard |last1=Conway |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221130112522/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30042309 |archive-date= 30 November 2022 }} leaving Russia and Qatar free to stage their respective World Cups.{{cite news|date=13 November 2014 |title=FIFA under fire after report on Qatar, Russia |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4de5fea12fc44b86bd7221bb429f360f/fifa-clears-russia-and-qatar-host-world-cup |agency=Associated Press |first1=Graham |last1=Dunbar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116023958/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4de5fea12fc44b86bd7221bb429f360f/fifa-clears-russia-and-qatar-host-world-cup |archive-date=16 November 2014 }}

FIFA welcomed "the fact that a degree of closure has been reached", while the Associated Press wrote that the Eckert summary "was denounced by critics as a whitewash". Hours after the Eckert summary was released, Garcia himself criticized it for being "materially incomplete" with "erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions", while declaring his intention to appeal to FIFA's Appeal Committee. On 16 December 2014, FIFA's Appeal Committee dismissed Garcia's appeal against the Eckert summary as "not admissible". FIFA also stated that Eckert's summary was "neither legally binding nor appealable".{{cite news |date=16 December 2014 |title=FIFA dismisses complaint from lawyer Michael Garcia over report |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30491135 |agency=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016095445/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30491135 |archive-date= 16 October 2023 }} A day later, Garcia resigned from his role as FIFA ethics investigator in protest of FIFA's conduct, citing a "lack of leadership" and lost confidence in the independence of Eckert from FIFA.{{cite news |date=17 December 2014 |title=Michael Garcia: FIFA investigator resigns in World Cup report row |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30522170 |agency=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009115832/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30522170 |archive-date= 9 October 2023 }} In June 2015, Swiss authorities claimed the report was of "little value".[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-garcia-idUSKBN0P322B20150623 "Exclusive: Swiss authorities probing FIFA say Garcia report of little help – source"], Mark Hosenball, David Ingram. Reuters. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2017.

In November 2022, the FIFA officials told players not to get involved in politics but focus on sports when they are in Qatar.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-president-writes-letter-telling-teams-to-avoid-political-stands-at-qatar-world-cup-per-report/#:~:text=The%202022%20World%20Cup%20in,the%20politics%20of%20the%20event | title=FIFA president writes letter telling teams to avoid political stands at Qatar World Cup, per report | date=4 November 2022 |first1= Austin |last1=Nivison |website=CBS Sports |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230607003244/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-president-writes-letter-telling-teams-to-avoid-political-stands-at-qatar-world-cup-per-report/#:~:text=The%202022%20World%20Cup%20in,the%20politics%20of%20the%20event |archive-date= 7 June 2023 }} A few weeks earlier, the football associations and players of Denmark and Australia criticized Qatar for this.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/28/denmark-unveil-world-cup-protest-kits-over-qatar-human-rights-record |agency=Associated Press and Reuters | title=Denmark unveil World Cup 'protest' kits criticising Qatar's human rights record | website=TheGuardian.com | date=28 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706120430/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/28/denmark-unveil-world-cup-protest-kits-over-qatar-human-rights-record |archive-date= 6 July 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/28/world-cup-organisers-in-qatar-respond-to-australian-players-criticism-saying-no-country-is-perfect | title=World Cup organisers in Qatar respond to Australian players' criticism, saying 'no country is perfect' | website=TheGuardian.com | date=28 October 2022 |first1=Mike |last1=Hytner |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031552/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/28/world-cup-organisers-in-qatar-respond-to-australian-players-criticism-saying-no-country-is-perfect |archive-date= 26 March 2023 }}

=2011 FIFA presidential election=

FIFA announced on 25 May 2011 that it had opened the investigation to examine the conduct of four officials—Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner, along with Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester—in relation to claims made by executive committee member, Chuck Blazer.{{cite news |last=Postrel |first=Virginia |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-03/how-fifa-s-fouls-may-revive-the-beautiful-game-david-goldblatt.html |url-access=subscription |title=How FIFA's Fouls May Revive the Beautiful Game: David Goldblatt |publisher=Bloomberg |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607013243/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-03/how-fifa-s-fouls-may-revive-the-beautiful-game-david-goldblatt.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kerith_gabriel/123083018.html |title=Soccer overflowing with scoundrels and scandals |publisher=Philly.com |date=3 June 2011 |first1=Kerith |last1=Gabriel |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=21 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621094956/http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/kerith_gabriel/123083018.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author=Owen Gibson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/25/fifa-bribery-allegations-warner-bin-hammam |title=Fifa in crisis after claims against Jack Warner and Mohamed bin Hammam |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220151703/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/25/fifa-bribery-allegations-warner-bin-hammam |url-status=live }} Blazer, who was at the time, the general secretary of the CONCACAF confederation, has alleged that violations were committed under the FIFA code of ethics during a meeting organized by Bin Hammam and Warner on 10 and 11 May—the same time Lord Triesman had accused Warner of demanding money for a World Cup 2018 vote—in relation to the 2011 FIFA presidential election,{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/923253/fifa-investigates-bin-hammam-bribery-claims?cc=5901 |title=FIFA investigates Bin Hammam bribery claims |publisher=ESPN |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=28 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528071355/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/923253/fifa-investigates-bin-hammam-bribery-claims?cc=5901 |url-status=dead }} in which Bin Hammam, who also played a key role in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid, allegedly offered financial incentives for votes cast in his favour during the presidential election.

As a result of the investigation both Bin Hammam and Warner were suspended.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13591142 |title=Fifa suspends Bin Hammam and Jack Warner |work=BBC News |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=1 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601231646/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13591142 |url-status=live }} Warner reacted to his suspension by questioning Blatter's conduct and adding that FIFA secretary general, Jérôme Valcke, had told him via e-mail that Qatar had bought the 2022 World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/05/30/fifa-soap-opera-latest-jack-warner-says-2022-world-cup-was-bou |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602142014/http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/05/30/fifa-soap-opera-latest-jack-warner-says-2022-world-cup-was-bou |archive-date=2 June 2011 |title=Fifa Soap Opera Latest: Jack Warner Says 2022 World Cup Was 'Bought' |publisher=Fanhouse.co.uk |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/06/02/football.fifa.blatter.kissinger/ |title=Blatter tips Henry Kissinger for role on FIFA 'Solutions Committee' |publisher=CNN |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=22 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722130535/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/football/06/02/football.fifa.blatter.kissinger/ |url-status=dead }} Valcke subsequently issued a statement denying he had suggested it was bribery, saying instead that the country had "used its financial muscle to lobby for support". Qatar officials denied any impropriety.{{cite news |last=Doherty |first=Regan E. |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-qatar-idUSTRE74T4J420110530 |title=Qataris brush off allegations of buying World Cup rights |work=Reuters |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=15 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015225134/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/30/us-soccer-fifa-qatar-idUSTRE74T4J420110530 |url-status=live }} Bin Hammam also responded by writing to FIFA, protesting unfair treatment in suspension by the FIFA Ethics Committee and FIFA administration.{{cite news |last=Kelso |first=Paul |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8549488/Mohamed-Bin-Hammam-writes-to-Fifa-protesting-unfair-treatment-in-suspension-ahead-of-presidential-election.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8549488/Mohamed-Bin-Hammam-writes-to-Fifa-protesting-unfair-treatment-in-suspension-ahead-of-presidential-election.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Mohamed Bin Hammam writes to Fifa protesting 'unfair' treatment in suspension ahead of presidential election |work=Telegraph |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}

Further evidence emerged of alleged corruption. On 30 May 2011, Fred Lunn, vice-president of the Bahamas Football Association, said that he was given $40,000 in cash{{cite news |author=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/30/mohamed-bin-hammam-fifa |title=Official 'was offered $40,000' after Mohamed bin Hammam presentation |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930072654/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/30/mohamed-bin-hammam-fifa |url-status=live }} as an incitement to vote for FIFA presidential candidate, Mohamed bin Hammam. In addition, on 11 June 2011 Louis Giskus, president of the Surinamese Football Association, alleged that he was given $40,000 in cash for "development projects" as an incentive to vote for Bin Hammam.{{cite news |author=Owen Gibson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/09/fifa-surinam-fa-bribery-allegations |title=Fifa rocked by fresh claims after Surinam FA reports $40,000 'gift' |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=9 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220151855/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/09/fifa-surinam-fa-bribery-allegations |url-status=live }}

=Response to allegations=

After being re-elected as president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter responded to the allegations by promising to reform FIFA in wake of the bribery scandal, with Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, saying there is great expectation for reform.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=34414 |title=FIFA Congress Roundup – Kissinger, Cruyff for Watchdog; Jordaan's Expectations for Reforms |publisher=Worldfootballinsider.com |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605194532/http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=34414 |url-status=live }} Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is being tipped for a role on the newly proposed 'Solutions Committee', and former Netherlands national football team player Johan Cruyff was also being linked with a role.{{cite news |author=Matt Scott in Zurich |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/02/henry-kissinger-sepp-blatter-fifa |title=Henry Kissinger recommended for Fifa anti-corruption squad {{pipe}} Football |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930105729/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/02/henry-kissinger-sepp-blatter-fifa |url-status=live }}

UEFA secretary-general Gianni Infantino said he hopes for "concrete" measures to be taken by the world game's authority. Saying that "the UEFA executive committee has taken note of the will of FIFA to take concrete and effective measures for good governance ... [and is] following the situation closely."{{cite web |author=PA Sport |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17062011/58/world-cup-uefa-wants-concrete-changes-fifa-soon.html |title=World Cup – UEFA wants 'concrete' changes to FIFA soon |publisher=Uk.eurosport.yahoo.com |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=29 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829131446/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17062011/58/world-cup-uefa-wants-concrete-changes-fifa-soon.html |url-status=live }}

IOC president Jacques Rogge commented on the situation by saying that he believes FIFA "can emerge stronger" from its worst-ever crisis, stating that "I will not point a finger and lecture ... I am sure FIFA can emerge stronger and from within".{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=34401 |title=Blatter Vows to Tackle Corruption; IOC Chief Says FIFA "Can Emerge Stronger" From Crisis |publisher=Worldfootballinsider.com |date=31 May 2011 |access-date= |archive-date=8 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008142319/http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=34401 |url-status=dead|first = Mark|last = Bisson}}

Several of FIFA's partners and sponsors have raised concerns about the allegations of corruption, including Coca-Cola, Adidas, Emirates and Visa.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/leisure/8548440/Fifa-corruption-claims-What-the-sponsors-are-saying.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/leisure/8548440/Fifa-corruption-claims-What-the-sponsors-are-saying.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Fifa corruption claims: What the sponsors are saying |newspaper=Telegraph |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/leisure/8552114/McDonalds-joins-Coca-Cola-and-Visa-in-calling-for-Fifa-change.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/leisure/8552114/McDonalds-joins-Coca-Cola-and-Visa-in-calling-for-Fifa-change.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=McDonald's joins Coca-Cola and Visa in calling for Fifa change |newspaper=Telegraph |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |location=London |first=Damian |last=Reece}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |author=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/30/coca-cola-adidas-fifa |title=Coca-Cola joins Adidas in expressing concern about Fifa shenanigans |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220152144/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/30/coca-cola-adidas-fifa |url-status=live }} Coca-Cola raised concerns by saying "the current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport"; with Adidas saying "the negative tenor of the public debate around Fifa at the moment is neither good for football nor for Fifa and its partners"; moreover Emirates raised its concerns by saying "we hope that these issues will be resolved as soon as possible"; and Visa adding "the current situation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that Fifa take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised."

Australian Sports Minister Mark Arbib said it was clear FIFA needed to change, saying "there is no doubt there needs to be reform of FIFA. This is something that we're hearing worldwide", with Australian Senator Nick Xenophon accusing FIFA of "scamming" the country out of the A$46 million (US$35 million) it spent on the Australia 2022 FIFA World Cup bid, saying that "until the investigation into FIFA has been completed, Australia must hold off spending any more taxpayers' money on any future World Cup bids."{{cite web |agency=AFP |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jSY_LpQRLnW7j3gfWpWC9_f3zl6A?docId=CNG.7da929b60d93d912325df4a2c96e2701.721 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524014403/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jSY_LpQRLnW7j3gfWpWC9_f3zl6A?docId=CNG.7da929b60d93d912325df4a2c96e2701.721 |archive-date=24 May 2012 |title=AFP: Australia demands FIFA reform |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011}}

Theo Zwanziger, president of the German Football Association, also called on FIFA to re-examine the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13613314 |title=BBC Sport – German Federation asks Fifa for inquiry into Qatar 2022 |work=BBC News |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319183017/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13613314 |url-status=live }}

Transparency International, which had called on FIFA to postpone the election pending a full independent investigation, renewed its call on FIFA to change its governance structure.{{cite web |url=http://blog.transparency.org/2011/06/09/what-should-fifa-do-about-corruption-version-2-0/ |title=What should FIFA do about corruption: version 2.0 : space for transparency |publisher=Blog.transparency.org |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722191329/http://blog.transparency.org/2011/06/09/what-should-fifa-do-about-corruption-version-2-0/ |url-status=live }}

Moreover, former Argentine football player Diego Maradona was critical of FIFA in light of the corruption scandal, comparing members of the board to dinosaurs. He said "Fifa is a big museum. They are dinosaurs who do not want to relinquish power. It's always going to be the same."{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2011/06/04/2517750/its-a-big-museum-of-dinosaurs-diego-maradona-blasts-fifa |title=It's a big museum of dinosaurs – Diego Maradona blasts Fifa |publisher=Goal.com |date=4 June 2011 |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607062034/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2011/06/04/2517750/its-a-big-museum-of-dinosaurs-diego-maradona-blasts-fifa |url-status=live }} In October 2011, Dick Pound criticized the organization, saying, "FIFA has fallen far short of a credible demonstration that it recognizes the many problems it faces, that it has the will to solve them, that it is willing to be transparent about what it is doing and what it finds, and that its conduct in the future will be such that the public can be confident in the governance of the sport."Associated Press, "Pound lambastes FIFA for lack of transparency", Japan Times, 5 October 2011, p. 18.

=2018 revision of code of ethics=

In 2018, FIFA revised its code of ethics to remove corruption as one of the enumerated bases of ethical violations.{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Rob |title=Keep bribes quiet for 10 years, FIFA won't punish you |url=https://apnews.com/d165d80179aa4117a260a1a5e65eafb6 |access-date=14 August 2018 |work=Associated Press |date=14 August 2018 |archive-date=14 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814012303/https://apnews.com/d165d80179aa4117a260a1a5e65eafb6 |url-status=live }} It retained bribery, misappropriation of funds and manipulation of competitions as offences, but added a statute of limitation clause that those offences could not be pursued after a ten-year period.

The revision also made it an offence to make public statements of a defamatory nature against FIFA. Alexandra Wrage, a former member of the FIFA governance committee and an expert in anti-bribery compliance, said that of the revision that "the real value to FIFA is the chilling effect this will have on critics".

In October 2024 more than 100 female footballers sent an open letter to FIFA demanding the organization to end its sponsor deal with Saudi oil company Aramco, due to the continuous human rights violations, women's rights abuses and criminalisation of homosexuality in Saudi Arabia.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Women footballers urge Fifa to end Saudi sponsorship deal with Aramco |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c39l89dv90zo |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

See also

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • Paul Darby, Africa, Football and Fifa: Politics, Colonialism and Resistance (Sport in the Global Society), Frank Cass Publishers 2002, {{ISBN|0-7146-8029-X}}.
  • John Sugden, FIFA and the Contest For World Football, Polity Press 1998, {{ISBN|0-7456-1661-5}}.
  • Jim Trecker, Charles Miers, J. Brett Whitesell, ed., Women's Soccer: The Game and the Fifa World Cup, Universe 2000, Revised Edition, {{ISBN|0-7893-0527-5}}.