FIFA, short for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the global governing body of soccer (also called football in most countries). It manages the world’s most popular sport and organizes international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup. Many people wonder: Who owns FIFA? Let’s explore the answer step-by-step.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Fédération Internationale de Football Association |
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Founded | 1904, Paris, France |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland |
| Current President | Gianni Infantino (since 2016) |
| Number of Member Associations | 211 |
| How President is Chosen | Elected by national football associations |
| Does FIFA have an Owner? | No |
Does FIFA Have an Owner?
No, FIFA does not have a single owner like a company or a football club. It is a non-profit organization. This means it is not owned by an individual, family, or business group.
FIFA was founded in 1904 in Paris, France, and today it is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It is made up of 211 national football associations, such as the English FA, Brazil’s CBF, or India’s AIFF. These associations are its members, and together they run FIFA.
Who Runs FIFA?
FIFA is run by a President and a Governing Council, not an owner. The current President is:
- Gianni Infantino, who became FIFA President in 2016 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
Infantino works with other leaders in FIFA to make decisions about football rules, competitions, and global development programs.
Who Elects the FIFA President?
The President of FIFA is elected by its member associations. Each country gets one vote, and they choose the President during a special meeting called the FIFA Congress, which happens every four years.
So technically, the 211 football associations are like the voters or shareholders in FIFA — not owners, but participants in governance.
How Does FIFA Make Money?
Even though it is a non-profit, FIFA earns billions of dollars through:
- Broadcasting rights (TV and streaming deals)
- Sponsorships from brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Visa
- Ticket sales from events like the World Cup
- Licensing and merchandising
All of this income is used to run tournaments and support football development across the world.
FAQs
Q: Who owns FIFA?
No one person or company owns FIFA. It is a non-profit governed by its member associations.
Q: Is FIFA a private company?
No, FIFA is not a private company. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization.
Q: How is FIFA funded?
FIFA is funded by TV rights, sponsorships, merchandise, and ticket sales from its events.
Q: Can a person buy FIFA?
No, FIFA is not for sale. It’s not a company with shareholders—it is a global organization made up of football associations.
Q: Who controls FIFA?
FIFA is controlled by its Congress (211 member countries) and managed by the President and Council.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, FIFA is not owned by anyone. It is a global, non-profit organization that oversees football around the world. The President, currently Gianni Infantino, and the 211 national football associations guide its decisions. While it earns big money from the sport, FIFA’s goal is to grow football and make it accessible worldwide—not to profit shareholders.