Fédération Internationale de Football Association(FIFA)
INTRODUCTION
The FIFA Congress, the most-critical gathering of international football's governing body, used to
assemble every two years. But since 1998, this gathering of the global football family has taken
place annually in an extraordinary meeting. The introduction of annual meetings allows ‘football’s
parliament’ to influence decisions concerning an ever- growing number of issues.
The Congress makes decisions relating to FIFA's governing statutes and the method by which they
are implemented and applied. It also approves the annual report, decides on the acceptance of new
national associations and holds elections, most notably for the FIFA presidency. In the spirit of true
democracy, each national association has one vote, regardless of its size or footballing strength.
The FIFA Statutes - football's constitution
The statutes and the regulations governing their application represent the "constitution" of FIFA and
world football. These documents and the key values of authenticity, integrity, performance and
unity underpin FIFA's mission: to develop the game, touch the world and build a better future.
According to the Statutes, FIFA's objectives are as follows:
• to improve the game of football constantly and promote it globally
• to organize its own international competitions
• to draw up regulations and provisions and ensure their enforcement
• to control every type of association football
• to safeguard the integrity of matches and competitions and prevent abuse
FIFA also vigorously combats racism or discrimination of any kind, promotes friendly relations
between every person and organization involved in the game and obliges them to observe the
Statutes, regulations and principles of fair play. FIFA also provides the necessary institutional
means to resolve disputes. The Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes and the
Standing Orders of the Congress are an integral part of the Statutes.
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The FIFA Congress - football's parliament
According to the statutes, the FIFA Congress is the organization’s supreme body. Numerous articles
dictate which items are to be discussed and which decisions are to be passed at this forum. As the
legislative body of world football - football's parliament in other words - the Congress bears a
particular responsibility for developing the game, the nature of which has been subject to
increasingly rapid change over the past few years. Each member has one vote at the Congress.
What decisions may the Congress take?
The Congress...
• decides whether to admit, suspend or expel a member
• the location of FIFA headquarters (in Zurich since 1932)
• may award the title of honorary president, honorary vice-president or honorary member
• is responsible for amending the Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application of the
Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress
• may remove a FIFA Executive Committee member from office
• approves the balance sheet and income statement
• approves the Activity Report
• elects the president every four years
The FIFA President has an important function during the Congress: he presides over it and ensures
that the debates are properly conducted. After the Congress, he is then responsible for ensuring that
the decisions passed are implemented.
Admission
1. Any Association which is responsible for organizing and supervising football in all of its
forms in its Country may become a Member of FIFA. Consequently, it is recommended that
all Members of FIFA involve all relevant stakeholders in football in their own structure.
Subject to par. 5 and par. 6 below, only one Association shall be recognized in each Country.
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2. Membership is only permitted if an Association is currently a member of a Confederation.
The Executive Committee may issue regulations with regard to the admission process.
3. Any Association wishing to become a Member of FIFA shall apply in writing to the FIFA
general secretariat.
4. The Association’s legally valid statutes shall be enclosed with the application for
membership and shall contain the following mandatory provisions:
a) Always to comply with the Statutes, regulations and decisions of FIFA and of its
Confederation;
b) To comply with the Laws of the Game in force;
c) To recognize the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as specified in these Statutes.
5. Each of the four British Associations is recognized as a separate Member of FIFA.
6. An Association in a region which has not yet gained independence may, with the
authorization of the Association in the Country on which it is dependent, also apply for
admission to FIFA.
7. This article shall not affect the status of existing Members.
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