History of FIFA in Timeline
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing body for association football, beach soccer, and futsal. Founded in 1904, it initially oversaw international competitions among eight European national associations. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA's membership has grown to include 211 national associations, each affiliated with one of six regional confederations: CAF, AFC, UEFA, CONCACAF, OFC, and CONMEBOL. It plays a central role in regulating and promoting football worldwide.
May 1904: FIFA Founding
On May 1904, FIFA was founded in Paris to oversee international competition among national associations.
May 1904: Foundation of FIFA
On May 21, 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was founded in Paris.
1906: Daniel Burley Woolfall Replaces Guérin
In 1906, Daniel Burley Woolfall from England replaced Robert Guérin as president of FIFA.
1906: Daniel Burley Woolfall President of FIFA
In 1906, Daniel Burley Woolfall was made president of FIFA.
1908: FIFA Stages Football at the Olympics
In 1908, FIFA staged its first tournament, the association football competition for the London Olympics.
1909: South Africa Joins FIFA
In 1909, South Africa joined FIFA, expanding its membership beyond Europe.
1912: Spalding Athletic Library "Official Guide" Includes FIFA Information
In 1912, the Spalding Athletic Library "Official Guide" included information on the 1912 Olympics (scores and stories), AAFA, and FIFA.
1913: Canada and Chile Join FIFA
In 1913, Canada and Chile became members of FIFA.
1913: Royal Spanish Football Federation Creation
In 1913, the Royal Spanish Football Federation was created.
1918: Daniel Burley Woolfall's Presidency Ends
In 1918, Daniel Burley Woolfall's presidency of FIFA ended.
1930: First World Cup
In 1930, FIFA organized the first World Cup tournament.
1970: IFAB Requested No Slow-Motion Play-Backs
In 1970, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) requested television authorities to refrain from slow-motion play-backs that might reflect adversely on a referee's decision.
1989: Alleged bribery payments began
In 1989, ISL began allegedly paying bribes to FIFA officials according to a Panorama exposé.
1991: Inaugural Women's World Cup
In 1991, FIFA commenced the Women's World Cup.
1994: Adoption of FIFA Anthem
Since the 1994 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has adopted an anthem composed by Franz Lambert.
1997: Alleged acceptance of bribe by João Havelange
In 1997, it was alleged that João Havelange accepted a $1 million 'bung' from ISL.
1998: Extraordinary Sessions Once a Year
Since 1998, extraordinary sessions have been held once a year.
1999: Alleged bribery payments ended
In 1999, ISL allegedly made its last bribery payment to FIFA officials according to a Panorama exposé.
2000: FIFA Club and Player of the Century Awards
In 2000, FIFA presented the FIFA Club of the Century award to Real Madrid and jointly awarded the FIFA Player of the Century to Diego Maradona and Pelé.
May 2006: Release of "Foul! The Secret World of FIFA"
In May 2006, Andrew Jennings' book "Foul! The Secret World of FIFA: Bribes, Vote-Rigging, and Ticket Scandals" detailed alleged international cash-for-contracts scandals and vote-rigging within FIFA.
June 2006: BBC Panorama Exposé on Sepp Blatter
In June 2006, a BBC Panorama exposé reported that Sepp Blatter was being investigated by Swiss police over his role in a secret deal regarding alleged bribes.
2007: FIFA Ruling on Player Registration
In 2007, FIFA ruled that a player could be registered with a maximum of three clubs and appear in official matches for a maximum of two in a year, leading to controversy.
2007: FIFA Broadcast Partners Required to Use Anthem Sequences
Since 2007, FIFA has 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.
2008: Sepp Blatter on Referee Decisions
In 2008, FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated that football should be left with errors and referees should make decisions without the use of machines.
November 2010: Panorama Exposé Alleges Bribery by FIFA Officials
In November 2010, a Panorama exposé alleged that three senior FIFA officials had been paid bribes by ISL between 1989 and 1999, which FIFA had failed to investigate.
November 2010: FIFA executive committee members banned for offering to sell votes
In November 2010, two members of FIFA's executive committee were banned from all football-related activity for allegedly offering to sell their votes to undercover newspaper reporters.
2010: Frank Lampard Goal Incident
During a second-round game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup between England and Germany, a shot by Frank Lampard crossed the line but was not seen by match officials, leading FIFA to re-examine goal-line technology.
2010: Secret Bonuses Paid Following 2010 FIFA World Cup
Following the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, leaked documents indicated $4.4 million in secret bonuses had been paid to FIFA committee members.
2010: Allegations of corruption by CONCACAF and FIFA leadership
In 2010, Mel Brennan went public with allegations of corruption, nonfeasance, and malfeasance by CONCACAF and FIFA leadership.
2010: Expectation for reform after bribery scandal
In 2010, after being re-elected as president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter promised to reform FIFA in response to the bribery scandal, with Danny Jordaan noting high expectations for reform.
2010: African Music Used for Bumpers During the 2010 FIFA World Cup
In 2010, an original piece of African music was used for bumpers during the FIFA World Cup.
May 2011: Allegations of Qatar paying for votes in 2018 bid
In May 2011, a British parliamentary inquiry was told that there was evidence that Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid by Qatar in their bid to secure the 2018 finals.
May 2011: Allegations of FIFA executive members being paid to vote for Qatar
In May 2011, whistle-blower claims that FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar.
May 2011: FIFA Opens Investigation into Four Officials
On 25 May 2011, FIFA announced the opening of an investigation into the conduct of Mohamed Bin Hammam, Jack Warner, and CFU officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, prompted by claims from Chuck Blazer regarding ethical violations during a meeting organized by Bin Hammam and Warner on 10 and 11 May.
May 2011: Fred Lunn alleges $40,000 cash incentive to vote for Bin Hammam
On 30 May 2011, Fred Lunn, vice-president of the Bahamas Football Association, reported receiving $40,000 in cash as an inducement to vote for FIFA presidential candidate, Mohamed bin Hammam.
May 2011: The Sunday Times agrees to bring whistle-blowing source to meet FIFA officials
As of 23 May 2011, FIFA president Blatter said that the British newspaper The Sunday Times has agreed to bring its whistle-blowing source to meet senior FIFA officials.
June 2011: IOC Inquiry into João Havelange over Bribery Claims
In June 2011, the International Olympic Committee started inquiry proceedings against FIFA honorary president João Havelange into claims of bribery.
June 2011: Louis Giskus alleges $40,000 cash incentive to vote for Bin Hammam
On 11 June 2011, Louis Giskus, president of the Surinamese Football Association, alleged receiving $40,000 in cash for "development projects" as an incentive to vote for Bin Hammam.
October 2011: Dick Pound Criticizes FIFA
In October 2011, Dick Pound criticized FIFA for failing to demonstrate recognition of its problems, a willingness to solve them, transparency, and ensuring future conduct that inspires public confidence in the sport's governance.
2011: FIFA Management Committee Compensation
In 2011, the total compensation for FIFA's management committee was 30 million for 35 people.
July 2012: Appointment of Michael J. Garcia and Hans-Joachim Eckert to FIFA Ethics Committee
In July 2012, FIFA appointed Michael J. Garcia as chairman of the investigative chamber and Hans-Joachim Eckert as chairman of the adjudication chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee.
July 2012: FIFA Sanctions Use of Goal-Line Technology
In early July 2012, FIFA sanctioned the use of goal-line technology, subject to rules specified by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
2013: Financial misconduct charges
Between 2013 and 2015 four individuals, and two sports television rights corporations pleaded guilty to United States financial misconduct charges.
June 2014: FIFA Committee Salaries Doubled
In June 2014, a report indicated that FIFA committee member salaries doubled from $100,000 to $200,000 during the year.
September 2014: Garcia delivers report, but it will not be made public
In September 2014, Garcia delivered his 350-page report, and Eckert then announced that it would not be made public for legal reasons.
December 2014: Dismissal of Garcia's appeal
In December 2014, FIFA's Appeal Committee dismissed Garcia's appeal against the Eckert summary, deeming it "not admissible." FIFA also stated the summary was "neither legally binding nor appealable."
2014: Dave Zirin calls for FIFA to be abolished
In 2014, Dave Zirin claimed that FIFA has endemic corruption and should be abolished.
May 2015: Arrests of FIFA Officials on Corruption Charges
In May 2015, 14 people were arrested, including nine FIFA officials, after being accused of corruption.
May 2015: Indictment of FIFA Officials by the US Department of Justice
In May 2015, fourteen FIFA officials and marketing executives were indicted by the United States Department of Justice on charges including wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering.
May 2015: Unsealing of guilty pleas in US financial misconduct charges
In May 2015, the pleas of Chuck Blazer, José Hawilla, Daryan Warner, Darrell Warner, Traffic Group and Traffic Sports USA were unsealed related to US financial misconduct charges.
May 2015: Arrests of FIFA officials in Switzerland
In May 2015, top FIFA officials were arrested in Switzerland on suspicion of receiving bribes. The US Department of Justice stated that nine FIFA officials and four executives of sports management companies were accused of over $150m in bribes.
May 2015: 2015 FIFA Corruption Scandal
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.
May 2015: FIFA Officials Arrested
On May 27, 2015, several high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested by Swiss authorities amid corruption allegations.
June 2015: Swiss authorities claim Garcia report of "little value"
In June 2015, Swiss authorities claimed the Garcia report was of "little value".
September 2015: Sepp Blatter suggests the 2018 World Cup was planned before the voting
In 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.
February 2016: Gianni Infantino Elected President
On February 26, 2016, Gianni Infantino was elected as the president of FIFA.
2016: The Best FIFA Football Awards
In 2016, FIFA began holding an annual awards ceremony called The Best FIFA Football Awards, recognizing individual and team achievements in international association football.
May 2017: FIFA Council Removes Ethics Committee Members
On May 9, 2017, The FIFA Council decided not to renew the mandates of Cornel Borbély and Hans-Joachim Eckert, chairmen of the ethics committee.
March 2018: Video Assistant Referees (VARs) Written into the Laws of the Game
On March 3, 2018, the IFAB wrote video assistant referees (VARs) into the Laws of the Game permanently.
2018: Accusations for 2018 World Cup
In 2018 accusations included bribery related to the awarding of hosting rights for the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
2018: FIFA revised its code of ethics
In 2018, FIFA revised its code of ethics, removing corruption as a basis for ethical violations, but retaining bribery, misappropriation of funds, and competition manipulation. A ten-year statute of limitations was added for pursuing offences.
2018: Criticism of the choice to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia
In 2018, FIFA's choice to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia has been widely criticized by media.
2018: Criticism of Panorama timing before World Cup bid decision
In 2018, Prime Minister David Cameron and Andy Anson criticized the timing of a broadcast days before FIFA decided on the host for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, fearing it might damage England's bid.
2018: Criminal investigation opened into 2018 World Cup bids
In 2018, Swiss authorities say they have opened a separate criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2018 World Cup bids.
2018: World Cup Corruption Allegations
In 2018, allegations surfaced of corruption related to the awarding of the World Cup to Russia.
2018: Intention to investigate 2018 World Cup bidding
In August 2012, Garcia declared his intention to investigate the bidding process and decision to respectively award the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup to Russia.
2018: England fails to secure the 2018 finals
In 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.
2018: Russia cleared of wrongdoing during the bidding for the 2018 World Cup
In November 2014, Eckert released a summary clearing both Russia of any wrongdoing during the bidding for the 2018 World Cups.
2018: Awarding 2018 World Cup to Russia was planned
In September 2015, Sepp Blatter suggested that the 2018 World Cup being awarded to Russia was planned before the voting.
2018: Accusations against Warner demanding money for a World Cup 2018 vote
Lord Triesman accused Warner of demanding money for a World Cup 2018 vote
2019: FIFA Revenues 2019-2022
In 2019, FIFA started a revenue cycle that ended in 2022 with a net positive of $1.2 billion.
April 2022: Launch of FIFA+
In April 2022, FIFA launched FIFA+, an OTT service offering up to 40,000 live matches annually, including 11,000 women's matches, along with archival and documentary content.
November 2022: FIFA officials told players not to get involved in politics
In November 2022, FIFA officials instructed players to focus on sports and avoid political involvement while in Qatar.
2022: Accusations for 2022 World Cup
In 2022 accusations included bribery related to the awarding of hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
2022: Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid
In 2022, Bin Hammam played a key role in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid, allegedly offering financial incentives for votes cast in his favour during the presidential election.
2022: FIFA Revenues in 2022
In 2022, FIFA had revenues of over US$5.8 billion.
2022: Suspicions of Corruption Regarding Qatar 2022
In 2022, FIFA has been suspected of corruption regarding the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.
2022: Criticism of the choice to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar
In 2022, FIFA's choice to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been widely criticized by media.
2022: Calls for FIFA Reform and Scrutiny of Australia's World Cup Bid Spending
In 2022, Mark Arbib stated the need for FIFA reform. Nick Xenophon accused FIFA of "scamming" Australia out of A$46 million spent on the Australia 2022 FIFA World Cup bid and advocated halting further spending until the FIFA investigation concludes.
2022: Criminal investigation opened into 2022 World Cup bids
In 2022, Swiss authorities say they have opened a separate criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2022 World Cup bids.
2022: Call to re-examine the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
In 2022, Theo Zwanziger called on FIFA to re-examine the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
2022: Allegations of Qatar buying the 2022 World Cup
In 2022, Warner questioned Blatter's conduct and stated that Jérôme Valcke had informed him via e-mail that Qatar had bought the 2022 World Cup. Valcke denied bribery, stating Qatar used its financial strength to lobby for support. Qatar officials denied any wrongdoing.
2022: Al Jazeera allegedly offered $400 million to FIFA
In 2022, according to leaked documents, Qatari state-run television channel Al Jazeera secretly offered $400 million to FIFA for broadcasting rights.
2022: World Cup Corruption Allegations
In 2022, allegations surfaced of corruption related to the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar.
2022: Discovery of Qatar's World Cup payments
In 2022, the Tass news agency discovered that Qatar paid as much as $200 billion to host the World Cup.
2022: Intention to investigate 2022 World Cup bidding
In August 2012, Garcia declared his intention to investigate the bidding process and decision to respectively award the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar.
2022: Possibility of reopening 2022 vote
In May 2011, Blatter did not rule out reopening the 2022 vote if corruption could be proved, but urged taking the matter "step by step".
2022: Qatar cleared of wrongdoing during the bidding for the 2022 World Cup
In November 2014, Eckert released a summary clearing both Qatar of any wrongdoing during the bidding for the 2022 World Cups.
2022: The 2022 World Cup awarded to Qatar
In September 2015, Sepp Blatter suggested that the plan to award the 2022 World Cup to the US changed after the election ballot, and the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar instead of the US.
October 2024: Female footballers demand FIFA end deal with Aramco
In October 2024, over 100 female footballers sent an open letter to FIFA, urging the organization to terminate its sponsorship deal with Saudi oil company Aramco due to human rights violations, abuses against women, and the criminalization of homosexuality in Saudi Arabia.
October 2024: Allegations Against FIFA
On 23 October 2024, allegations against FIFA were made by players from several countries claiming the organization did not pay them agreed sums of money.
