FIFA History

FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association(International Federation of Association Football in English) which was started in 1904. Over 200 nations are currently involved in FIFA and it is one of the largest and oldest non-governmental organizations in the world.

Over 40 years prior to the founding of FIFA, the Football Association established themselves in England as they're currently the oldest football organization in the world. Many competitions are held there, but none are more well-known than the FA Cup which began in 1872 as the oldest annual competition in the world. During that same year, the first international football game took place as England battled Scotland to a scoreless tie at Hamilton Park, Partrick, Glasgow. The Scotland Football Association was founded the next year.

The number of international matches began to increase, but there was no world association overseeing the nations participating. The United Kingdom rejected taking part in a world association of football which caused failed attempts to create a worldwide tournament. As it was, seven European nations started FIFA on May 21, 1904. Frenchman Robert Guerin was the first President of FIFA.

Football Associations from Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland comprised the original nations that joined FIFA. But because the United Kingdom was the major football power in Europe, attempts to create a worldwide tournament failed. Despite England joining FIFA in 1905 after the influence of Baron Edouard de Laveleye, it was the Football Association who had tournaments at the 1908 and 1912 Olympics that were both won by Great Britain. Daniel Burley Woofall did take over for Guerin in 1906, and FIFA expanded nations, too..

South Africa became the first non-European country to join FIFA in 1909 which were soon followed by Argentina and Chile from South America in 1912. The following year, countries from North America joined FIFA as the United States and Canada joined.

The first World War slowed the progression of a worldwide tournament, and it didn't help that Woofall died in 1918 which nearly led to FIFA to cease operations. Vice President Carl Anton Wilhelm Hirshmann was able to preserve FIFA, but the British boycotted the organization due in large part because of strained ties to European countries because of the war. Frenchman Jules Rimet eventually was named President of FIFA.

FIFA first participated in the 1924 Olympics as Uruguay defeated Switzerland in the final match. Uruguay successfully defended their title in the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam by defeating Argentina in the final match. As a result, FIFA had looked to have their own world championship to be held every four years.

At a meeting held in Barcelona in 1928, it was determined that Uruguay would host the first World Cup in 1930. Uruguay was had won the two Olympic medals and were celebrating their 100th independence anniversary which were the reasons they hosted the first World Cup. However, many European nations couldn't participate because of economic reasons.

Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, United States, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia were the first participants in the inaugural World Cup. Argentina, United States, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia won their respective groups to advance to the semi-finals. Argentina defeated the United States 6-1 and Uruguay won by the same score against Yugoslavia to advance to the final. Uruguay won the final match on their home soil 4-2 over Argentina to win the first World Cup.

Italy became the first European country to host the World Cup in 1934, and they also won it on their home soil by defeating Czechoslovakia in the final match in which 16 nations took part. Italy would repeat as World Cup champions at the 1938 World Cup that was held in France. But the impending World War II caused a cancellation of the World Cup in 1942 and 1946.

The United Kingdom returned to FIFA in 1946 and appeared in their first World Cup in 1950 as the event was held in Brazil. Uruguay defeated Brazil in the final to win their second World Cup as thirteen nations took part even though Scotland, Turkey, and India withdrew despite qualifying.

By 1961, Rimet was replaced as President, and FIFA went through two presidents before former English referee Sir Stanley Rous took over. Rous was largely responsible for the World Cup appearing on television as well as the amateur part of the game as stars like Pele of Brazil had taken center stage in the event. Many other countries joined FIFA during his tenure as they attempted to qualify for the World Cup stage.

But Rous was voted out as President in 1974 as João Havelange of Brazil took over. After years of having 16 teams, Havelange expanded the field to 24 teams in time for the 1982 World Cup held in Spain. The field would expand to 32 teams at the 1998 World Cup held in France as they won on their home soil. Also, he was largely responsible for bringing Israel to FIFA, but would be replaced by current President Joseph "Sepp" Blatter in 1998.

FIFA headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland. They have held 18 World Cup tournaments as seven different nations have won them. Brazil is the only nation to appear in all tournaments, and they have won the World Cup more than anyone with five of them.

FIFA has existed for over a century, and has endured its share of controversy as well as numerous obstacles along the way. As of now, 208 nations are involved in FIFA as it has spread all over the world.

Sources:
History of FIFA
History of FIFA
World Cup history