World football is governed through elections, not one chain of command

The formal system starts with national associations, rises through six continental confederations to FIFA, and operates under Laws set by IFAB—a fixed-membership body, not an elected federation.

Election or formal authority Binding rules Fixed membership
The world-football power map A layered network showing IFAB and its five fixed members, FIFA, the six continental confederations, national and regional associations, leagues, clubs and players. GLOBAL GOVERNANCE IFAB Sets the Laws of the Game Fixed membership; not elected WHO FORMS IFAB? — NO GENERAL ELECTION The FAEngland · 1 vote Scottish FA1 vote FA Wales1 vote Irish FAN. Ireland · 1 vote FIFA4 votes · covers 207 associations Law changes require 6 of 8 votes: FIFA + at least two British associations Executive board: general secretaries / chief executives of the five members FIFA 211 member associations President elected by Congress Global competitions & regulation FIFA Council FIFA body between Congresses binding Laws across organised football SIX CONFEDERATIONS UEFA AFC CAF Concacaf CONMEBOL OFC Council members are elected by member associations at confederation congresses MEMBER-COUNTRY LEVEL National associations One vote each in FIFA Congress Members of a regional confederation elect FIFA president elect confederation presidents DOMESTIC FOOTBALL SYSTEM Regional associations State, county or district bodies Where national structures require them Leagues & clubs Run and contest competitions under association rules affiliate / recognise / regulate ON THE PITCH Players Registered through football bodies Some are employed professionally play for clubs

How to read it: this is a governance map, not a money map. IFAB is not elected as a whole: its five members are FIFA and the four British football associations. It simplifies national variations and shows formal institutional authority. Facts checked against official FIFA, IFAB and confederation governance materials in August 2026. FIFA membership count: 211 associations. Confederation names: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA); Asian Football Confederation (AFC); Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF); Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf); South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL); Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). This diagram is part of Who Really Runs World Football?

IFAB has no general election. Its fixed members are FIFA, with four votes, and the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with one vote each. Law changes require six of eight votes. National associations elect the FIFA president and their confederation presidents. Member associations elect FIFA Council members at confederation congresses. National associations affiliate or recognise regional associations, leagues and clubs. IFAB supplies the binding Laws of the Game across organised football.