List of football federations: international and national governing bodies

Structure and functions

At the top is FIFA, the global governing body responsible for the Laws of the Game in cooperation with other bodies and for staging flagship events such as the FIFA World Cup. Below FIFA sit continental confederations and, underneath them, national associations. Typical functions include competition management, rule enforcement, licensing, youth and women's football development, and anti-doping or disciplinary procedures.

Major continental confederations

Six continental confederations coordinate football across regions and organize continental championships. The main confederations are:

• UEFA (Europe)
• CONMEBOL (South America)
• CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean)
• CAF (Africa)
• AFC (Asia)
• OFC (Oceania)

National associations and examples

National federations regulate football within a single country or territory. Well-known examples include The Football Association (England), Deutscher Fußball-Bund (Germany), United States Soccer Federation (United States) and Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (Brazil). National bodies affiliate to their continental confederation and often to FIFA.

History and development

Modern organized football governance developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in the creation of FIFA to provide international coordination. Over time, regional confederations formed to manage continental competitions and to represent their areas within global decision-making.

Importance and notable issues

Federations play a central role in promoting the sport, widening participation and staging competitions. They also face scrutiny over governance, transparency and eligibility rules. Understanding the layers—from FIFA and continental confederations to national associations—helps explain how international matches, tournaments and regulations are arranged.