FIFA Affiliated Confederations and Member National Teams
The global landscape of association football is governed by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), which oversees a vast network of national associations. To manage the sport across different continents, FIFA operates through six affiliated continental confederations. These bodies organize regional competitions and manage the qualification processes for the world's most prestigious tournament, the FIFA World Cup.
Currently, there are 211 men's national football teams affiliated with FIFA. While these members are eligible for the World Cup and have their matches recognized as official internationals, there are also 11 teams that hold membership in a continental confederation but are not full members of FIFA. These non-FIFA members can compete in regional tournaments but are barred from participating in the World Cup.
Key Facts
- 211 national teams are full FIFA members.
- 6 continental confederations manage football globally.
- FIFA Men's World Rankings are published monthly to compare team strengths based on a four-year cycle.
- Non-FIFA members can play in confederation tournaments but cannot enter the World Cup.
- ConIFA serves as an organization for unrecognized states and stateless minorities.
The Six Continental Confederations
Each confederation is responsible for its own geographic region and hosts a premier championship to determine the best team in that area.
| Confederation | Region | Premier Championship | Member Associations |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | Asia | AFC Asian Cup | 47 |
| CAF | Africa | Africa Cup of Nations | 54 |
| CONCACAF | North & Central America, Caribbean | CONCACAF Gold Cup | 41 |
| CONMEBOL | South America | Copa América | 10 |
| OFC | Oceania | OFC Men's Nations Cup | 13 |
| UEFA | Europe | UEFA European Championship | 55 |
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Due to its immense size, the AFC is divided into five sub-federations: the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), East Asian Football Federation (EAFF), Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), and the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). Its 47 members include nations such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.
Confederation of African Football (CAF)
CAF comprises 54 member associations, organized into five regional federations: CECAFA (East and Central), COSAFA (Southern), WAFU/UFOA (West), UNAF (North), and UNIFFAC (Central). Notable members include Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal.
CONCACAF
Covering North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, CONCACAF has 41 members. It is split into the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), the North American Football Union (NAFU), and the Union Centroamericana de Fútbol (UNCAF). Major members include the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
CONMEBOL
The South American Football Confederation is the smallest in terms of membership, consisting of 10 associations, including football powerhouses like Brazil and Argentina.
Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
The OFC consists of 13 member associations. While most are full FIFA members, two hold associate membership only. New Zealand is the most prominent member of this region.
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
UEFA consists of 55 national associations. A unique aspect of UEFA is the representation of the United Kingdom; the UK is not a member as a single entity but is represented by four separate constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Special Organizations and Affiliations
Beyond the primary confederations, other bodies organize football for specific groups. The Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) organizes competitions for Arab League member nations, all of whom are also members of FIFA and either the AFC or CAF. The Arab Cup is the top tournament for this group.
For those outside the FIFA structure, the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (ConIFA) provides a platform for unrecognized states, subnational regions, and stateless minorities. ConIFA succeeded the Nouvelle Fédération-Board (N.F.-Board) and organizes the ConIFA World Football Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a FIFA member and a confederation member?
A FIFA member is affiliated with the global governing body and is eligible to compete in the FIFA World Cup. Some teams are members of a continental confederation but not FIFA; these teams can play in regional tournaments but cannot participate in the World Cup.
How does the United Kingdom participate in FIFA and UEFA?
The United Kingdom does not enter as a single nation. Instead, its four constituent nations—England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales—each hold their own separate memberships in FIFA and UEFA.
What are the FIFA Men's World Rankings?
These are monthly rankings published by FIFA that compare the relative strengths of national teams based on their match results over the previous four-year period.
Who is eligible to join ConIFA?
ConIFA is open to teams representing unrecognized states, stateless minorities, subnational regions, and recognized states that have not gained entry into FIFA.
Which confederation is the smallest by membership?
CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, is the smallest with only 10 member associations.