History of FIFA in Timeline
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing body for association football, beach football, and futsal. Established in 1904 with eight founding member countries, it now comprises 211 national associations organized under six regional confederations (CAF, AFC, UEFA, CONCACAF, OFC, and CONMEBOL). FIFA oversees international competitions and governs the rules and regulations of the sport at a global level. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland.
May 1904: FIFA Founded
On May 1904, FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, was founded in Paris to oversee international competition among national associations.
1906: Dan B Woolfall becomes president
Daniel Burley Woolfall was president from 1906 to 1918
1906: Daniel Burley Woolfall Replaces Robert Guérin
In 1906, Daniel Burley Woolfall from England replaced Robert Guérin as the president of FIFA.
1908: FIFA's First Tournament at the Olympics
In 1908, the association football competition for the London Olympics was the first tournament staged by FIFA.
1909: South Africa Joins FIFA
In 1909, South Africa became a member of FIFA, expanding its reach beyond Europe.
1912: Spalding Athletic Library "Official Guide"
The 1912 Spalding Athletic Library "Official Guide" includes 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 Created
In 1913, the Royal Spanish Football Federation was created.
1914: United States Joins FIFA
In 1914, the United States became a member of FIFA.
1918: Dan B Woolfall leaves presidency
Daniel Burley Woolfall was president from 1906 to 1918
1930: First FIFA World Cup
In 1930, FIFA organized the first World Cup tournament.
1970: IFAB Request to Refrain from Slow-Motion Play-Backs
The 1970 meeting of the International Football Association Board "agreed to request the television authorities to refrain from any slow-motion play-back which reflected, or might reflect, adversely on any decision of the referee".
1989: Alleged bribery payments to FIFA officials
Between 1989 and 1999, Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira were allegedly paid bribes by ISL, which FIFA failed to investigate.
1991: First FIFA Women's World Cup
In 1991, FIFA commenced the first Women's World Cup tournament.
1994: FIFA Adopts Anthem
Since the 1994 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has adopted an anthem composed by Franz Lambert.
1997: Alleged bribe accepted by Joao Havelange
In 1997 Joao Havelange allegedly accepted a $1 million 'bung' from ISL.
1998: Extraordinary Sessions Held Annually
Since 1998, FIFA Congress extraordinary sessions have been held once a year.
1999: Alleged bribery payments to FIFA officials
Between 1989 and 1999, Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira were allegedly paid bribes by ISL, which FIFA failed to investigate.
2000: FIFA Club and Player of the Century Awards
In 2000, FIFA presented the FIFA Club of the Century award to Real Madrid and the FIFA Player of the Century award jointly to Diego Maradona and Pelé to decide the greatest football club and player of the 20th century.
May 2006: Andrew Jennings' Book Causes Controversy
In May 2006, British investigative reporter Andrew Jennings' book "Foul! The Secret World of FIFA: Bribes, Vote-Rigging, and Ticket Scandals" caused controversy by detailing an alleged international cash-for-contracts scandal and revealed how some football officials had been urged to secretly repay the sweeteners they received.
June 2006: BBC Panorama Exposé on Sepp Blatter
In June 2006, a BBC Panorama exposé by Andrew Jennings reported that Sepp Blatter was being investigated by Swiss police over his role in a secret deal to repay more than £1m worth of bribes pocketed by football officials.
2007: FIFA Ruling on Player Registration
In 2007, a FIFA ruling stated 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: Broadcast Partners Required to Use FIFA 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.
2008: Sepp Blatter Opposes Use of Video Evidence
In 2008 FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: "Let it be as it is and let's leave [football] with errors.
November 2010: Further Panorama Exposé Alleges Bribes
In November 2010, a further Panorama exposé by Jennings alleged that three senior FIFA officials had been paid huge bribes by ISL between 1989 and 1999, which FIFA had failed to investigate.
November 2010: FIFA Executive Members Banned for Allegedly 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: Danny Jordaan spoke on the expectations of FIFA's reform
After Sepp Blatter's re-election as president of FIFA, Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, noted the high expectations for reform following the bribery scandal.
2010: African Music Used for Bumpers
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an original piece of African music was used for bumpers.
2010: Secret Bonuses Paid to Committee Members
Following the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, leaked documents indicated that $4.4 million in secret bonuses had been paid to the FIFA committee members.
2010: Corruption allegations against FIFA leadership
In 2010, Mel Brennan, a former CONCACAF official, went public with allegations of corruption, nonfeasance, and malfeasance by CONCACAF and FIFA leadership. Brennan joined Jennings and others in exposing inappropriate allocations of money by CONCACAF and drew connections between CONCACAF criminality and similar behaviours at FIFA.
May 2011: Claims of FIFA Executive Members Taking Bribes
In May 2011, claims were made that FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar. Blatter did not rule out reopening the 2022 vote if corruption could be proved.
May 2011: British Parliamentary Inquiry into England's Failed 2018 Bid
In early May 2011, a British parliamentary inquiry into why England failed to secure the 2018 finals was told by a member of parliament that there was evidence that Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast were paid by Qatar.
May 2011: FIFA opened investigation into conduct of four officials
On May 25, 2011, FIFA announced an investigation into the conduct of Mohamed Bin Hammam, Jack Warner, Debbie Minguell, and Jason Sylvester related to ethics violations during the 2011 FIFA presidential election.
May 2011: Fred Lunn reported being given $40,000 to vote for Bin Hammam
On May 30, 2011, Fred Lunn reported being given $40,000 in cash as an incitement to vote for FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.
May 2011: The Sunday Times agrees to bring Whistleblower to 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, who will decide whether to order a new investigation into alleged World Cup bidding corruption.
June 2011: IOC Starts Inquiry Against João Havelange
In June 2011, the International Olympic Committee started inquiry proceedings against FIFA honorary president João Havelange into claims of bribery.
June 2011: Louis Giskus alleged he was given $40,000 to vote for Bin Hammam
On June 11, 2011, Louis Giskus alleged he was given $40,000 in cash for "development projects" as an incentive to vote for Bin Hammam.
October 2011: Dick Pound criticized FIFA for lack of transparency
In October 2011, Dick Pound criticized FIFA, stating the organization had fallen far short of demonstrating transparency and willingness to solve its problems.
2011: Management Committee Compensation
In 2011, the total compensation for the FIFA management committee was 30 million for 35 people.
July 2012: FIFA appointed Michael J. Garcia and Hans-Joachim Eckert to Ethics Committee
In July 2012, following anti-corruption reforms by Sepp Blatter, FIFA appointed US lawyer Michael J. Garcia as chairman of the investigative chamber and German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert as chairman of the adjudication chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee.
July 2012: FIFA Sanctions 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: Guilty Pleas to US Financial Misconduct Charges between 2013 and 2015
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 in London's The Sunday Times stated that the members of the FIFA committee had their salaries doubled from $100,000 to $200,000 during the year.
September 2014: Garcia delivered report on 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids
In September 2014, Michael J. Garcia delivered his 350-page report on the investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. Hans-Joachim Eckert then announced that the report would not be made public for legal reasons.
December 2014: Garcia criticized Eckert summary and later resigned
In December 2014, Michael J. Garcia criticized Eckert's summary as "materially incomplete" and "erroneous." His appeal was dismissed by FIFA, and he resigned from his role as FIFA ethics investigator in protest.
2014: Dave Zirin on Corruption in FIFA Leadership
In 2014, American sportswriter Dave Zirin stated that corruption is endemic to FIFA leadership and that the organization should be abolished for the game's good.
May 2015: Arrests of FIFA Officials on Corruption Charges
In May 2015, 14 people, including nine FIFA officials, were arrested after being accused of corruption.
May 2015: Arrest of FIFA Officials in Switzerland on Bribery Suspicion
In May 2015, FIFA's top officials were arrested at a hotel 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 arrested and accused of over $150m in bribes.
May 2015: Indictment of FIFA Officials by US Department of Justice
In May 2015, Fourteen FIFA officials and marketing executives were indicted by the United States Department of Justice. Specific charges included wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering.
May 2015: Guilty Pleas to US Financial Misconduct Charges Unsealed
In May 2015, the guilty pleas of Chuck Blazer, José Hawilla, Daryan Warner, Darrell Warner, Traffic Group and Traffic Sports USA to United States financial misconduct charges were unsealed.
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 due to allegations of corruption, bribery, and vote-rigging related to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
June 2015: Swiss authorities claimed the Garcia report was of little value
In June 2015, Swiss authorities claimed the Garcia report was of "little value" in their investigations.
September 2015: Sepp Blatter suggests pre-planned award of 2018 and 2022 World Cups
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. However, this plan changed after the election ballot, and the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar instead of the US.
February 2016: Gianni Infantino Elected President
On 26 February 2016, Gianni Infantino was elected President of FIFA at an extraordinary FIFA Congress session after Sepp Blatter was suspended.
2016: The Best FIFA Football Awards
Since 2016, FIFA holds an annual awards ceremony, The Best FIFA Football Awards, which recognizes individual and team achievements in international association football.
May 2017: FIFA Council Removes Ethics Committee Members
On May 9, 2017, the FIFA Council, following a proposal by Gianni Infantino, decided not to renew the mandates of Cornel Borbély and Hans-Joachim Eckert, chairmen of the ethics committee, effectively removing 11 of 13 committee members.
March 2018: Video Assistant Referees (VARs) Written into the Laws of the Game
On 3 March 2018, the IFAB wrote video assistant referees (also known as VARs) into the Laws of the Game permanently. Their use remains optional for competitions.
2018: 2018 World Cup Bribery Accusations
Accusations included bribery related to the awarding of hosting rights for the 2018 World Cup to Russia
2018: Allegations Against FIFA Officials Made to UK Parliament
In 2018, Allegations against FIFA officials have also been made to the UK Parliament by David Triesman. Triesman told the lawmakers that four long-standing FIFA executive committee members engaged in "improper and unethical" conduct in the 2018 bidding, which was won by Russia.
2018: FIFA revised its code of ethics to remove corruption as a basis of ethical violations
In 2018, FIFA revised its code of ethics, removing corruption as one of the enumerated bases of ethical violations but retaining bribery, misappropriation of funds, and manipulation of competitions as offenses.
2018: Criticism of Panorama Timing Before World Cup Decision
In 2018, Prime Minister David Cameron and Andy Anson criticized the timing of the Panorama broadcast three days before FIFA decided on the host for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, because it might damage England's bid.
2018: World Cup Corruption Allegations
In 2018, allegations arose linking FIFA leadership with corruption, bribery, and vote-rigging related to awarding the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
2018: Sepp Blatter suggests pre-planned award of 2018 and 2022 World Cups
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. However, this plan changed after the election ballot, and the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar instead of the US.
2018: British Parliamentary Inquiry into England's Failed 2018 Bid
In early May 2011, a British parliamentary inquiry into why England failed to secure the 2018 finals was told by a member of parliament that there was evidence that Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast were paid by Qatar.
2018: FIFA opened investigation into conduct of four officials
On May 25, 2011, FIFA announced an investigation into the conduct of Mohamed Bin Hammam, Jack Warner, Debbie Minguell, and Jason Sylvester related to ethics violations during the 2011 FIFA presidential election.
2018: Criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2018 World Cup bids
Swiss authorities opened a separate criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.
2019: FIFA Cycle
The FIFA 2019-2022 cycle ended with a net positive of $1.2 billion.
February 2022: FIFA Suspends Russia's Participation
In February 2022, FIFA suspended Russia's participation in FIFA events due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, following a recommendation by the International Olympic Committee. The Russian Football Union's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was unsuccessful.
April 2022: Launch of FIFA+
In April 2022, FIFA launched FIFA+, an OTT service providing up to 40,000 live matches per year, including 11,000 women's matches. The platform also includes archival and documentary content.
2022: 2022 World Cup Bribery Accusations
Accusations included bribery related to the awarding of hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup to Qatar
2022: Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Corruption Suspicions
FIFA was suspected of corruption regarding the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.
2022: Qatar World Cup bid controversy
In 2022 it has been discovered that Qatar paid as much as $200 billion to host the World Cup.
2022: Al Jazeera offered FIFA $400 million for broadcasting rights
In 2022, Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-run television channel, reportedly offered FIFA $400 million for broadcasting rights 21 days before Qatar was announced as the host of the 2022 World Cup.
2022: Australian senator accused FIFA of scamming the country out of money spent on the World Cup bid
In 2022, Australian Senator Nick Xenophon accused FIFA of "scamming" the country out of the A$46 million (US$35 million) spent on the Australia 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.
2022: Valcke allegedly stated Qatar bought the 2022 World Cup
In 2022, FIFA secretary general, Jérôme Valcke, allegedly told Jack Warner via e-mail that Qatar had bought the 2022 World Cup, though Valcke denied it was bribery and said Qatar used financial means to lobby for support.
2022: Zwanziger called on FIFA 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: World Cup Corruption Allegations
In 2022, allegations arose linking FIFA leadership with corruption, bribery, and vote-rigging related to awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
2022: Blatter Did Not Rule Out Reopening the 2022 Vote
In May 2011, claims were made that FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar. Blatter did not rule out reopening the 2022 vote if corruption could be proved.
2022: Sepp Blatter suggests pre-planned award of 2018 and 2022 World Cups
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. However, this plan changed after the election ballot, and the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar instead of the US.
2022: FIFA opened investigation into conduct of four officials
On May 25, 2011, FIFA announced an investigation into the conduct of Mohamed Bin Hammam, Jack Warner, Debbie Minguell, and Jason Sylvester related to ethics violations during the 2011 FIFA presidential election.
2022: Criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2022 World Cup bids
Swiss authorities opened a separate criminal investigation into FIFA's operations pertaining to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.
October 2024: Female footballers demand FIFA to end sponsor deal with Saudi oil company Aramco
In October 2024, more than 100 female footballers sent an open letter to FIFA demanding the organization to end its sponsor deal with Saudi oil company Aramco due to human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.
October 2024: Allegations of unpaid sums of money by FIFA to players
In October 2024, new allegations arose against FIFA, with players from several countries claiming the organization did not pay them agreed sums of money, the total reaching with sums reaching up to £3m. According to reports Four hundred and twenty players did not get paid as agreed with FIFA.
May 2025: FIFA+ Coverage of Competitions
As of 16th of May 2025 FIFA+ covers the following competitions:
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