Countries

Countries, National Teams and Football Confederations

Football is organized through a global structure of countries, football associations, confederations and international governing bodies. Every country that participates in official international football has its own national team, domestic competitions and football association.

On this page, we explain how football is organized worldwide, how FIFA and the confederations operate, and how authority is divided between international and national football organizations.

How is football organized globally?

Worldwide football is governed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, better known as FIFA. Every country that wants to participate in official international football competitions must be affiliated with FIFA through its regional football confederation.

As of 2026, FIFA has 211 affiliated national associations. These associations represent countries and territories from all over the world and compete in international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, continental championships and qualification tournaments.

FIFA also maintains the official FIFA World Ranking for both men’s and women’s national teams.

What are the six FIFA confederations?

To organize football more efficiently on a continental level, FIFA works together with six regional confederations. Every national football association must belong to one of these confederations.

UEFA

UEFA

The governing confederation for European football.

Examples:

  • England
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Netherlands
  • France

CONMEBOL

CONMEBOL

The governing confederation for South American football.

Examples:

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Uruguay

CONCACAF

CONCACAF

The governing confederation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Examples:

  • United States
  • Mexico
  • Canada
  • Jamaica

CAF

CAF

The governing confederation for African football.

Examples:

  • Morocco
  • Senegal
  • Egypt
  • Nigeria

AFC

AFC

The governing confederation for Asian football.

Examples:

  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Australia

Although Australia is geographically part of Oceania, the country competes in the AFC instead of the OFC.

OFC

OFC

The governing confederation for Oceania.

Examples:

  • New Zealand
  • Fiji
  • Tahiti

How is football organized within each country?

Every country has one official national football association responsible for organizing football domestically.

Examples include:

  • The Football Association (FA) in England
  • Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) in Spain
  • Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) in Brazil

National football associations are responsible for organizing:

  • national teams;
  • domestic leagues;
  • cup competitions;
  • super cups;
  • youth football;
  • women’s football;
  • futsal;
  • referee development;
  • coaching and licensing systems.

These organizations oversee both professional and amateur football within their country.

What is the IFAB?

Before discussing the hierarchy between FIFA, confederations and national associations, it is important to understand the role of the International Football Association Board, commonly known as IFAB.

IFAB is responsible for determining and maintaining the official Laws of the Game. FIFA cannot change the official rules of football without IFAB approval.

Many football fans are unaware that IFAB existed before FIFA itself. The organization was founded in the United Kingdom, where modern football originated.

How is the IFAB board structured?

The IFAB board consists of eight voting seats:

  • 1 seat for The Football Association (England)
  • 1 seat for the Scottish Football Association
  • 1 seat for the Football Association of Wales
  • 1 seat for the Irish Football Association
  • 4 seats for FIFA, representing all other member associations worldwide

To change the Laws of the Game, at least six of the eight votes are required. This means neither FIFA nor the British associations can change the rules independently.

Who determines the rules of football?

The official rules of football are known as the Laws of the Game and are governed by IFAB.

These laws include topics such as:

  • offside rules;
  • handball rules;
  • VAR protocols;
  • additional substitutions;
  • temporary dismissals and trial rules;
  • goalkeeper regulations;
  • injury time;
  • the behaviour of coaches and players.

IFAB also tests new football regulations through pilot projects and experimental competitions.

How is authority divided in football?

Football governance follows a pyramid structure:

  1. IFAB determines the Laws of the Game.
  2. FIFA governs world football globally.
  3. Confederations manage continental football.
  4. National football associations organize football domestically.

Lower organizations cannot introduce rules that conflict with regulations from higher governing bodies.

What is the authority of FIFA?

FIFA is the highest governing body in world football and establishes the global framework for the sport.

FIFA is responsible for:

  • the FIFA World Cup;
  • international transfers;
  • the international match calendar;
  • recognition of national associations;
  • international disciplinary matters;
  • global football regulations;
  • minimum governance standards.

FIFA also has the power to suspend national associations if governments interfere excessively in football governance or if regulations are violated.

What authority do football confederations have?

Football confederations operate between FIFA and the national football associations.

Their responsibilities include:

  • continental tournaments;
  • qualification tournaments;
  • licensing systems;
  • Financial Fair Play regulations;
  • disciplinary systems;
  • distribution of prize money and revenue.

Examples of continental competitions include:

  • the UEFA European Championship;
  • Copa América;
  • the AFC Asian Cup;
  • the Africa Cup of Nations.

What authority do national football associations have?

National football associations are responsible for managing football within their own country, according to the regulations and frameworks established by IFAB, FIFA and their confederation.

In short: National football associations form the operational foundation of football worldwide, while FIFA and the confederations provide the international framework and governance.