Football Federation of Chile
The Football Federation of Chile (Spanish: Federación de Fútbol de Chile or FFCh) serves as the primary governing body for association football within Chile. Established on June 19, 1895, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest football federation in South America. As a cornerstone of the sport in the region, the FFCh is a founding member of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation.
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Key Facts
- Founded: June 19, 1895
- Headquarters: Santiago, Chile
- Global Affiliations: FIFA and the Olympic Committee of Chile
- Regional Affiliation: Founding member of CONMEBOL (1916)
- Current President: Pablo Milad Abusleme
- Major Hosting Milestones: 1962 FIFA World Cup and 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
Organizational Structure and Governance
The FFCh operates as the overarching authority for both professional and amateur football in Chile. It maintains strategic affiliations with FIFA, CONMEBOL, and the Olympic Committee of Chile to ensure the sport aligns with international standards.
Supervisory Roles
The Federation is responsible for the oversight of two primary associations:
- Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP): The National Association of Professional Football, which manages the professional game.
- Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Amateur (ANFA): The National Association of Amateur Football.
Both the ANFP and ANFA are supported by the Instituto Nacional del Fútbol (INAF). Created in 1996, INAF is a specialized institute dedicated to the training of referees and coaches, as well as the implementation of business administration, sports organization, technical operations, and the maintenance of recreational and sports venues.
Current Leadership and Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Pablo Milad | President |
| Justo Alvarez | Vice-president |
| Jorge Yunge | General secretary |
| Elias Vistoso | Treasurer |
| Nicolás Córdova | Team coach (men's) |
| Luis Mena | Team coach (women's) |
| Gianfranco Dazzarolla | Media/communications manager |
| Roberto Tobar | Chairperson of the Referees Committee |
Historical Evolution
The journey of Chilean football organization began in Valparaíso on June 19, 1895, with the founding of the Football Association of Chile (FAC), led by journalist David Scott. While pioneering, the FAC initially had a limited scope and faced conflicts with the Federación Sportiva Nacional, an institution created in 1909 to protect national sports.
International Integration and Conflict
After renaming itself the Asociación de Football de Chile, the organization gained provisional FIFA affiliation in 1913 and full membership in 1914. In 1916, Chile became a founding member of CONMEBOL alongside Brazil (CBD), Argentina (AAF), and Uruguay (AUF) during the first Copa América.
The 1920s were marked by instability. A rival organization, the Federación de Football de Chile based in Santiago, took over national representation in October 1923. This led to a split where the original association withdrew from CONMEBOL to form a parallel confederation, resulting in FIFA revoking Chile's membership in 1925.
Unification and Global Recognition
To resolve the crisis, the two competing entities merged on January 24, 1926, forming a single governing body known as the Federación de Football de Chile, based in Valparaíso. This unified body was recognized by CONMEBOL in April 1926 and regained temporary FIFA status in July of the same year.
Major Tournament Hosting
Chile has successfully hosted prestigious global events. In 1956, during a FIFA Executive Congress in Lisbon, Chile was elected to host the 1962 FIFA World Cup with 32 votes. More recently, the federation secured the rights to host the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, marking the first time a FIFA Women's World Cup of any category was held in South America.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Football Federation of Chile founded?
The federation was founded on June 19, 1895, making it the second-oldest association football federation in South America.
What is the relationship between FFCh, ANFP, and ANFA?
The FFCh is the overall governing body that supervises both the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP), which handles professional football, and the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Amateur (ANFA), which handles amateur football.
Was Chile a founding member of CONMEBOL?
Yes, Chile was one of the founding members of CONMEBOL in 1916, along with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.
What is the role of the Instituto Nacional del Fútbol (INAF)?
Established in 1996, INAF manages the training of coaches and referees, as well as the business administration and technical maintenance of sports venues for the professional and amateur associations.
Which major FIFA tournaments has Chile hosted?
Chile hosted the 1962 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.