In 2016, Gianni Infantino was elected as FIFA president amidst a crisis that emerged after a wide-ranging corruption investigation by the United States federal authorities that resulted in the removal of numerous soccer officials in the Americas. Sepp Blatter, the long-time FIFA president, was also forced to step down from his position within months of being re-elected. During Infantino’s tenure, FIFA has introduced larger and more lucrative tournaments, which have increased the organization’s revenue and provided more opportunities for national teams to qualify for the men’s and women’s World Cups, despite facing opposition from officials in European soccer.
History of FIFA:
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is an international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer. It was founded on May 21, 1904, in Paris, France, with seven founding members: Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.
Initially, FIFA’s main task was to organize international football matches between national teams, but over the years, it has expanded its role to include regulating the rules of the game, overseeing the organization of international competitions, and developing the sport globally.
FIFA continues to be one of the most influential sports organizations in the world, with 211 member associations and a mission to promote and develop the game of football globally. It organizes various tournaments, including the World Cup, which is the most prestigious international football tournament, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- FIFA Founded: 21 May 1904;
- FIFA Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland.
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