Non-FIFA international football

Last updated

Non-FIFA international football is the segment of international football that is not overseen by FIFA. FIFA is the international governing body of association football, overseeing football globally and with running international representative matches. However, some international football takes place outside its purview. This often consists of matches involving sub-national entities such as islands, colonies, or autonomous regions. Representative matches also occur involving states with limited international recognition who are unable to qualify for FIFA membership. There are also a limited number of states whose representative teams are not affiliated to FIFA. Historically, a number of competitions occurred outside FIFA's auspices. [1] [2] Member associations are national associations, usually affiliated to continental confederations which are subordinate to FIFA. [3]

Contents

National teams

Broadly speaking, non-FIFA national teams can be categorised as one of the following:

States

Teams representing eight small sovereign states – the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Monaco, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, and the Vatican City – have played international football but are not affiliated to FIFA. Two of those states – Kiribati and Tuvalu – are Associate Members of Oceania Football Confederation, but not its parent organisation.

The United Kingdom is represented in FIFA through its four constituent countries (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). During the 1940s and 1950s, a United Kingdom national football team was assembled on a few occasions to play friendly matches: these are not considered full internationals by FIFA.

Autonomous (or autonomy-seeking) regions and unrecognised states

A second category encompasses regions of larger nations which have a history of autonomy. They may have already achieved a degree of self-governance (for example the autonomous communities of Spain including Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country which usually play just one game a year, traditionally at Christmas), or be seeking it (like for example the French region of Brittany). However, it is necessary to distinguish the Basque team from the others, as it has come to represent not just the Basque autonomous community of Spain, but the greater Basque region, also incorporating Navarre and the French Basque Country. The Republic of Srpska as a state entity with a high degree of autonomy, has ever since it was established in 1992 had its own football federation and national teams Republika Srpska national football team who play friendly matches. The Dayton Peace Treaty recognizes it as a constitutive part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in 2002 both FIFA and UEFA accepted FA Republic of Srpska as one of two cofounders of FA BIH.

Alternatively, some unrecognised states may have national teams. Some established members of FIFA still fall into this category, such as Chinese Taipei. Current non-FIFA heavyweights Northern Cyprus are the best example of this category of non-FIFA football team.

Regional associations

Several teams which represent the regional associations of established footballing nations. These oversee local football in their respective regions and are part of a network of associations that contribute to the national association as a whole. A good example of this would be Jersey, who hold county status within the Football Association. These regional associations often enter representative teams into international non-FIFA matches.

Stateless people

Another group of teams are representative sides of ethnic groups that are without a home state, or are drawn from an ethnic diaspora. The Sami people of Lapland live in a distinct area of northern Fennoscandia, yet fall under the control of four states. Nevertheless, they have organised a football association and a representative team. Similarly, the Romani people—having been strewn across Europe for centuries—have a fledgeling footballing organisation to represent them in international competition. Other people who were stateless, such as the Palestinians have been welcomed into FIFA and despite their state, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) only more recently[ when? ] recognised them in international football. The Esperanto football team represents the worldwide community of Esperanto speakers.

Organizations

Defunct / Inactive

Non-FIFA competitions

Football tournaments at international multi-sports events, such as the Olympics, Pan-American Games and Francophone games are without FIFA's jurisdiction, but are, for the most part, operated with the acknowledgement of that body. These events typically involve age restricted teams, to avoid direct competition with the World Cup and continental championships.

Men's tournaments

International

The UNPO Cup

The UNPO Cup was organised by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization and NF-Board, and took place in The Hague in June 2005. The tournament, which coincided with UNPO's 7th General Assembly, featured four teams. The South Moluccas won the cup, beating Chechnya in the final. A second UNPO football cup took place in June 2017, with the Chameria team winning the tournament. [6] [7]

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2005Flag of South Moluccas.svg  South Moluccas
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2017Unofficial flag of Cham Albanians.svg  Chameria


ConIFA World Football Cup
Host NationYearWinners
Sami flag.svg  Sápmi 2014 Flag of the County of Nice.svg  County of Nice
Flag of the Republic of Abkhazia.svg  Abkhazia 2016 Flag of the Republic of Abkhazia.svg  Abkhazia
Flag of Ogaden National Liberation Front(2).svg  Barawa 2018 Flag of Transcarpathian Oblast.svg  Kárpátalja
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 2020 N/A †
Flag of Kurdistan.svg  Iraqi Kurdistan 2024 N/A ‡

† 2020 CONIFA World Football Cup cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic. ‡ 2024 CONIFA World Football Cup postponed until 2025 due to security concerns.

Football at the Island Games

The Island Games, which are held every two years, features a competitive football tournament, won on the first two occasions by now-established UEFA and FIFA member, the Faroe Islands, and again in 2007 by now UEFA members, Gibraltar. Many of the competing nations are affiliated to larger national FAs – the Jersey Football Association, for example, is governed by the FA.

HostYearWinners
Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 1989 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
Flag of Aland.svg  Åland 1991 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg  Isle of Wight 1993 Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey
Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar 1995 Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg  Isle of Wight
Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey 1997 Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey
Flag of Gotland.svg  Gotland 1999 Flag of Anglesey.svg  Ynys Môn
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man 2001 Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey 2003 Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey
Flag of Shetland.svg  Shetland 2005 Flag of Shetland.svg  Shetland
Flag of Rhodes Island.svg  Rhodes 2007 Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar
Flag of Aland.svg  Åland 2009 Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey
Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg  Isle of Wight 2011 Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg  Isle of Wight
Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda 2013 Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda
Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey 2015 Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey
Flag of Gotland.svg  Gotland 2017 Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man
Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar 2019N/A †
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey 2021N/A ‡
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey 2023 Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey
2007 Flag of Orkney.svg  Orkney 2025
Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 2027
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man 2029

† Ynys Mon hosted an unofficial 2019 Inter Games Football Tournament as Gibraltar did not have enough pitches. [8] Ynys Mon won the men's tournament and Isle of Man won the women's.
‡ 2021 Island Games postponed until 2023 due to COVID-19 with all previously announced host moved back 2 years. [9]

Football at the Indian Ocean Island Games

First held in 1979, the Indian Ocean Island Games have been held every 4–5 years since.

TeamChampionsRunners-upThird-placeFourth-placeParticipation
Proposed flag of Reunion (VAR).svg  Réunion 5 (1979, 1998, 2007, 2015, 2019)3 (1985, 1993, 2003)1 (2011)8
Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 2 (1985, 2003)3 (1990, 2011, 2019)2 (1993, 2015)3 (1979, 1998, 2007)9
Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 2 (1990, 1993)2 (1998, 2007)2 (1985, 2015)7
Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 1 (2011)1 (1979)3 (1990, 1998, 2003)2 (1993, 2019)8
Flag of France.svg  Mayotte 1 (2015)2 (2007, 2019)1 (2011)3
Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 2 (1979, 1985)2 (1990, 2003)8
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 3
Gulf Cup

The Arabian Gulf Cup or Gulf Cup is a bi-annual competition that started in 1970 with 8 countries competing organised since 2016 by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation

TeamWinnersRunners-upThird placeFourth placeSemi-finalists (no 3rd Place Match)
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 10 (1970, 1972, 1974*, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1990*, 1996, 1998, 2010)1 (1979)2 (2002, 2013)1 (2004)1 (2009)
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 4 (1979*, 1984, 1988, 2023*)2 (1976, 2013)3 (2010, 2017–18, 2019)
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 3 (1994, 2002*, 2003–04)7 (1972*, 1974, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2014*, 2019)7 (1970, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1988*, 1992, 1996)1 (1982)1 (2007)
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 3 (1992*, 2004*, 2014)4 (1984, 1990, 1996, 2002)2 (1976*, 2003–04)5 (1970, 1972, 1974, 1986, 1994)3 (2009, 2019*,2023)
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 2 (2007*, 2013)4 (1986, 1988, 1994*, 2017–18)5 (1972, 1974, 1982*, 1998, 2014)3 (1984, 1992, 1996)1 (2010)
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 2 (2009*, 2017–18)3 (2004, 2007, 2023)4 (1990, 1998, 2003–04, 2014)
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 1 (2019)4 (1970*, 1982, 1992, 2003–04)3 (1990, 1994, 2004)5 (1976, 1979, 1988, 2002, 2013*)3 (2007, 2017–18, 2023)
Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen

Note:

  • An asterisk (*) beside the year in the above table means that country hosted the tournament.

Continental

European Football Cup

The ConIFA European Football Cup was originally announced to be held in Douglas, the Isle of Man, but this was later changed to include games in Farnborough and Woking, England. However, it was later moved entirely to Székely Land, Romania. The tournament took place from 13 to 21 June 2015. It was the first ever European Championship between representative teams outside FIFA. The 12 representative teams: Ellan Vannin, County of Nice, Abkhazia, Nagorno Karabakh, South Ossetia, Occitania, Romani People, Franconia, Sapmi, Northern Cyprus, Szekely Land and Padania. [10] Subsequently, 3 teams (Franconia, Monaco, Nagorno-Karabakh) cancelled their participation for the 2015 ConIFA European Football Cup in Hungary, which forced the originally planned schedule to be revised. The presence of a total of nine teams led to three groups of three being formed. In May 2015, Occitania also announced their withdrawal from the competition, which led to another revision of the match schedule into two groups of four, which ConIFA based upon their ranking points system. In June 2015, another three teams, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Northern Cyprus, were all forced to withdraw, as a result of visa difficulties, while the Felvidek team was added to the line up – leaving two groups of three and six participants in total.

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Szekely Land.svg  Székely Land 2015 Flag of Padania.svg  Padania
Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg  Northern Cyprus 2017 Flag of Padania.svg  Padania
Flag of Artsakh.svg  Artsakh 2019 Flag of South Ossetia.svg  South Ossetia
Flag of the County of Nice.svg  County of Nice 2021 N/A†
Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg  Northern Cyprus 2023 N/A‡

† 2021 CONIFA European Football Cup cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
‡ 2023 CONIFA European Football Cup cancelled due to 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake

The Europeada

The Europeada is a football tournament for indigenous and national minorities in Europe, and is organized by the Federal Union of European Nationalities. The first edition was played in 2008 in Surselva, Switzerland. [11]

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2008 Flag of South Tyrol.svg  South Tyrol
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2012 Flag of South Tyrol.svg  South Tyrol
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2016 Flag of South Tyrol.svg  South Tyrol
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 2022 Flag of South Tyrol.svg  South Tyrol
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark/Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2024 Bandiere dal Friul.svg Friûl
Copa CSANF

The Copa CSANF is a football tournament for football federations not admitted to FIFA in South America. Is organized by the CSANF – Consejo Sudamericano de Nuevas Federaciones . The first edition was played in 2011 in Chile.

Host NationYearWinners
Bandera Juan Fernandez.svg  Juan Fernández Islands 2011 Bandera Juan Fernandez.svg  Juan Fernández Islands
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2014 Flag of Armenia and Argentina.svg Armenian Argentine Community

The CSANF 10th Anniversary Cup is the third tournament which celebrates the 10 years of the creation of the CSANF.

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2017 Flag of Armenia and Argentina.svg Armenian Argentine Community
Copa ANPO

The Campeonato Nacional de Futbol Pueblos Originarios (Copa ANPO) is a football tournament for the indigenous peoples of South America, and is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Pueblos Originarios. The inaugural tournament was played in 2012 in Chile. Campeonato de futbol Pueblos Originarios Asociacion Andina de Futbol Liga Andina Arica Facebook page on Facebook played among six teams. Three teams come from the Mapuche people – the largest indigenous population in Chile. There is a Mapuche team, a Pewenche team (which is the term used for Mapuche populations living in the mountainous regions of Chile), and a Warriache team (composed of Mapuche individuals from the city). In addition, there is one Aymara team, one Lican Antay (or Atacameño) team, and one Rapa Nui team. [12]

The N.F.-Board's South American governing body CONMEBOLNFIFA have announced a preliminary date for the second Indigenous Peoples' Championship. Set for Santiago in Chile from August 5–10, 2013, the sides hoped to compete are Easter Island, Mapuche, Aymara, LikanAntay, Diaguita, Kolla, Quechua and a combined Yaghan-Kawesqar team. [13]

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 2012 Flag of Rapa Nui, Chile.svg  Easter Island
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 2013 Huilliche flag.svg Huilliche [14]
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 2015 Flag of the Mapuches (1992).svg Mapuche [15]

Defunct and one-off competitions

FIFI Wild Cup (2006)

The FIFI Wild Cup was organised by the German football club St. Pauli in the summer of 2006. It took place while the FIFA World Cup was being played in Germany, and aimed to raise awareness of stateless nations. Five nations took part, along with a team representing the St. Pauli district of Hamburg. Northern Cyprus beat Zanzibar 4-1 on penalties to win the tournament.

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2006Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg  Northern Cyprus
The ELF Cup (2006)

The ELF Cup, organised by the KTFF, took place in November 2006, in Northern Cyprus. Eight teams accepted invitations to take part, and the hosts emerged as winners.

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg  Northern Cyprus 2006Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg  Northern Cyprus
The VIVA World Cup (2006–2012)

The first VIVA World Cup, organised by the N.F.-Board, [16] took place in Occitania in November 2006. Six nations initially accepted invitations, but eventually, only 3 took part, the hosts, Monaco and Saami, the eventual winners. The second edition took place in Lapland in 2008 and Padania emerged as winners, as the third in 2009 where Padania won the tournament at home.

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Occitania (with star).svg  Occitania 2006 Sami flag.svg  Sápmi
Sami flag.svg  Sápmi 2008 Flag of Padania.svg  Padania
Flag of Padania.svg  Padania 2009 Flag of Padania.svg  Padania
Flag of Gozo.svg  Gozo 2010 Flag of Padania.svg  Padania
Flag of Kurdistan.svg  Iraqi Kurdistan 2012 Flag of Kurdistan.svg  Kurdistan Region

Women Tournaments

Across a discreet number of minor tournaments, the only three main international football tournaments for women are the Women's VIVA World Cup, the Europeada and the Island Games.

Island Games

A women's football tournament to the Island Games is played from 2001 edition:

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man 2001 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey 2003 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
Flag of Shetland.svg  Shetland 2005 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
Flag of Rhodes Island.svg  Rhodes 2007 Flag of Aland.svg  Åland
Flag of Aland.svg  Åland 2009 Flag of Aland.svg  Åland
Flag of the Isle of Wight.svg  Isle of Wight 2011 Flag of Aland.svg  Åland
Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda 2013 Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda
Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey 2015 Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey
Flag of Gotland.svg  Gotland 2017 Flag of Gotland.svg  Gotland
Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar 2019N/A †
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey 2021N/A ‡
Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey 2023 Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda
2007 Flag of Orkney.svg  Orkney 2025
Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 2027
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man 2029

† Ynys Mon hosted an unofficial 2019 Inter Games Football Tournament as Gibraltar did not have enough pitches. [17]
‡ 2021 Island Games postponed until 2023 due to COVID-19 with all previously announced host moved back 2 years. [18]

ConIFA Women's World Football Cup

A women's football tournament to the ConIFA World Football Cup is played from 2022.

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Tibet.svg  Tibet 2022Sami flag.svg  Sápmi
Sami flag.svg  Sápmi 2024Sami flag.svg  Sápmi

The Europeada

A women's football tournament to the Europeada is played from the 2016 edition:

Host NationYearWinners
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2016 Flag of South Tyrol.svg  South Tyrol
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 2022 Carinthian Slovenes
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark/Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2024 Flag of South Tyrol.svg  South Tyrol

Defunct competitions

VIVA World Cup (2008–2010)

A women's football tournament to the VIVA World Cup is played from 2008 until 2010:

Host NationYearWinners
Sami flag.svg  Sápmi 2008Sami flag.svg  Sápmi
Flag of Gozo.svg  Gozo 2010Flag of Padania.svg  Padania

Top level football leagues for Non FIFA club teams

Here are some examples:

LocationLeagueNarrative
Flag of the Falkland Islands.svg  Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Football League The football association of the Falkland Islands is not a member of FIFA or UEFA or CONMEBOL.
Flag of France.svg  Mayotte Mayotte Division Honneur The football association of Mayotte is simply associated with the French Football Federation.
Flag of France.svg  Saint Pierre and Miquelon Ligue de Football de Saint Pierre et Miquelon The football association of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is simply associated with the French Football Federation.
Flag of Gozo.svg  Gozo Gozo Football League First Division The football association of Gozo is not a member of FIFA or UEFA.
Flag of Greenland.svg  Greenland Greenlandic Football Championship played between club teams, is the premier football competition in Greenland. The Football Association of Greenland is not a member of FIFA or CONCACAF or UEFA.
Flag of Kiribati.svg  Kiribati Kiribati National Championship The football association of Kiribati is an associate member of OFC.
Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco Challenge Prince Rainier III The football association of Monaco is not a member of FIFA or UEFA.
Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.svg  Northern Cyprus KTFF Süper Lig The football association of Northern Cyprus is not a member of FIFA or UEFA.
Flag of Tuvalu.svg  Tuvalu Tuvalu A-Division The football association of Tuvalu is an associate member of OFC.
Flag of Vatican City (2023-present).svg  Vatican Vatican City Championship The football association of Vatican City is not a member of FIFA or UEFA.
Flag of Zanzibar.svg  Zanzibar Zanzibar Premier League The football association of Zanzibar is an associate member of CAF.

International competition for club

Here are some examples:

Other tournaments

Some non-FIFA teams play in other tournaments generally played by FIFA members, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Indian Ocean Games, CECAFA Cup, South Pacific Games, Coupes des Caraibes, Shell Caribbean Cup, CFU Championship and many more.

Moreover, many teams, before obtaining FIFA membership, played friendlies and international tournaments – for example, the Faroe Islands.

Youth Tournaments

A big number of friendlies are being played between youth selections with different restrictions (U-21, U-18, or U-16 for example) but still there are not any international or continental tournaments being held. Only a little number of minor tournaments are played for youth selections: one of them, and probably one of the most important, is Muratti Vase who is played for U-21, U-18, U-15.

Club Tournaments

Despite the fact many non-FIFA associations have their own league, there are no international or continental club tournaments.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiribati national football team</span> National association football team

The Kiribati men's national football team is the national men's football team of Kiribati and is controlled by the Kiribati Islands Football Association. Kiribati is not a member of FIFA but is an associate member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and is therefore not eligible to enter the FIFA World Cup but may enter the OFC Nations Cup. It became a provisional member of the N.F.-Board on 10 December 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sápmi football team</span> Unofficial national football team representing the Sámi people

The Sápmi football team is a football team representing the Sámi people, who inhabit northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The team is not a member of UEFA or FIFA, and therefore does not participate in their competitions, though is member of the ConIFA. It is organized by FA Sápmi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N.F.-Board</span> N.F.-Board established on 12 December 2003

The N.F.-Board is a federation for football associations established on 12 December 2003. At the beginning, NFB was made up of teams that represent nations, dependencies, unrecognized states, minorities, stateless peoples, regions and micronations not affiliated to FIFA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Cyprus national football team</span> Mens national association football team representing Northern Cyprus

The Northern Cyprus national football team represents Northern Cyprus, a de facto country, in association football. They were a member of the New Federations Board for non-FIFA-affiliated nations, until its dissolution in 2013. Northern Cyprus' home stadium is Nicosia Atatürk Stadium in North Nicosia and their head coach is Fırat Canova. They are the current FIFI Wild Cup champions, having won the event in Germany in June 2006. They are also the current ELF Cup champions, having won the event at home in November 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuvalu national football team</span> National association football team

The Tuvalu national football team is the international football team of Tuvalu. Football in Tuvalu is played at the club and international level. The Tuvalu national team draws players from the Tuvalu A-Division and trains at the Tuvalu Sports Ground at Funafuti. The national team competes in the Pacific Games, and is controlled by the Tuvalu Islands Football Association, which is an associate member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) but not a member of FIFA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ELF Cup</span> Football tournament

The ELF Cup was an international football tournament organised by the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation (KTFF), a member of the NF-Board. It was played only once in 2006. Among the participants were NF-Board teams, and FIFA member teams from the Asian Football Confederation.

Football has been a regular event since 1989 at the Island Games, the biennial multi-sports event for island nations, territories and dependencies. A 5-a-side competition for under-16s was held at the inaugural event on the Isle of Man, and the success this minor competition brought to the games meant senior men's football was included on the itinerary for the first time in the Faroe Islands, in 1989. Women's football was included on the games' schedule for the first time in 2001.

The VIVA World Cup was an international association football tournament organized by the N.F.-Board, an umbrella association for teams unaffiliated with FIFA, held five times between 2006 and 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuvalu Islands Football Association</span> National Football Association

The Tuvalu Islands Football Association (TIFA) is the governing body of football in Tuvalu. The association is responsible for the Tuvalu national football team and the Tuvalu national futsal team. Tuvalu is not a full member and is not affiliated with FIFA. It does not compete in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers because of its non-affiliation.

The Chagos Islands national football team is a football team representing the territory of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. However, this area, which falls under the administration of the British Indian Ocean Territory, is uninhabited save for the presence of a US military base on the island of Diego Garcia, after the United Kingdom evicted the local population between 1967 and 1973. As a consequence, the team in fact represents the Chagossian diaspora around the world. They were led by Sussex-based manager Jimmy Ferrar, who has previously managed at Oakwood, Crawley Down and Alfold where he won the Southern Combination Div 1 for season 2018/19 until June 2024 when a number of players expressed a desire to play under the British Indian Ocean Territory name leading to a split and two separate teams under different names representing the territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artsakh national football team</span> Unofficial national football team representing the partially recognised state of Nagorno-Karabkh

The Artsakh national football team, until 2017 known as Nagorno-Karabakh national football team, was the national representative of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), which was internationally unrecognized. Consequently, it was not a member of FIFA or UEFA and was therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup or the European Championship.

The Cascadia national soccer team is a soccer team representing the men's side of the Cascadia region of the United States and Canada and is controlled by the Cascadia Association Football Federation (CAFF). The team is composed of players from the U.S states of Oregon, Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The stated mission of the team is "...to allow Cascadia as a distinct cultural entity, isolated bioregion and growing society with common interests to be represented at the international level in the sport we are all passionate about." CAFF is a member of ConIFA. Cascadia is not a member of FIFA or any confederation or sub-confederation as the region is wholly a part of both the United States or Canada. However, CAFF is not opposed to those organizations and sees itself coexisting as a non-FIFA regional representative team.

The Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) is the international governing body for association football teams that are not affiliated with FIFA.

The CONIFA World Football Cup is an international football tournament organized by CONIFA, an umbrella association for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA, which has been held every two years since 2014. This tournament is the successor of the Viva World Cup which was held from 2006 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Székely Land football team</span> Unofficial national football team representing the region of Székely Land

The Székely Land football team is a team representing Székely Land, a historic and ethnographic region in eastern Transylvania, in central Romania, inhabited mainly by the Székelys, a subgroup of the Hungarian people. It is a member of ConIFA, an umbrella association for states, minorities,and regions unaffiliated with FIFA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mapuche football team</span> Unofficial football team representing the Mapuche

The Mapuche football team is a football team representing the Mapuche of Chile and Argentina and is controlled by the Mapuche Football Association, founded in 2007. The stated mission of the team is "...to allow Mapuche as a distinct cultural entity, with common interests to be represented at the international level in the sport. Mapuche is a member of ConIFA and COSANFF. Mapuche would have participated in the 2020 ConIFA World Football Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Unity Football Alliance</span> International governing body for association football teams unaffiliated with FIFA

The World Unity Football Alliance (WUFA) is an international governing body for association football teams that are not affiliated with FIFA, similar to but smaller than the older Confederation of Independent Football Associations. WUFA was founded in 2020 to oversee international competition among the non-FIFA affiliated associations in the world, the alliance of football associations does not have a centralised management structure.

The 2022 CONIFA South America Football Cup, also referred to as 2022 CONIFA Copa America, was the first edition of the CONIFA South America Football Cup, an international football tournament for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA with an affiliation to South America, organised by CONIFA. It was hosted by Chile.

The CONIFA South America Football Cup, also referred to as CONIFA Copa América, is an international football tournament organized by CONIFA, an umbrella association for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA.

References

  1. roadsandkingdoms.com, ed. (April 7, 2014). "THE NON-FIFA RENEGADES".
  2. footballpills.com, ed. (January 28, 2018). "MALOUDA E I SUOI FRATELLI: LE NAZIONALI SENZA… FIFA" (in Italian).
  3. "FIFA Statutes, April 2016 edition" (PDF). p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 December 2021.
  4. "Confederation of Independent Football Associations". CONIFA .
  5. "À quoi ça sert Turki al Sheikh?". 22 December 2018.
  6. "UNPO: UNPO Organises a Succesfull[sic] Football Cup for Unrepresented Nations".
  7. "Micronations and indigenous people battle for UNPO Football World Cup". 19 June 2017.
  8. Ynys Mon to host unofficial 2019 'Island Games' football tournament
  9. Coronavirus: 2021 Island Games in Guernsey are postponed because of pandemic
  10. "European Football Cup: Padania 12th participant". conifaofficial.wordpress.com. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  11. "European Football Championship of the Autochthonous National Minorities". Europeana .
  12. Laura Seelau; Ryan Seelau (22 June 2012). "Indigenous Focus: Copa ANPO 2012". I Love Chile News. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012.
  13. "CSANF announce plans for second South American competition". nonfifafootball.blogspot.co.uk. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  14. Jose Molina (10 August 2013). "Williche was crowned champion of the 2nd.Torneo de Fútbol de Pueblos Originarios, developed in Limache (Translation)". Diario Crónica page (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  15. "Mapuche National Champion 2015 (Translation)". Radio Nuevo Mundo (in Spanish). 24 April 2015. coverage
  16. "Football Associations Members of the N.F.-Board". N.F.-Board . Archived from the original on 2016-01-13. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  17. Ynys Mon to host unofficial 2019 'Island Games' football tournament
  18. Coronavirus: 2021 Island Games in Guernsey are postponed because of pandemic
  19. "Non-FIFA Football Updates is back". nonfifafootball.blogspot.com. 29 January 2014.
  20. "Non-FIFA Football Updates – providing the latest news on the game outside FIFA's auspices". nonfifafootball.blogspot.com.
  21. clericuscup.it, ed. (2019). "Le squadre" (in Italian).
  22. clericuscup.it, ed. (2010). "Le nazionalità degli atleti in campo" (PDF) (in Italian). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 July 2011.
  23. "Graciosa Beach/Palmas/Tocantins (Translation)". Fundação Nacional do Índio (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2 April 2010.
  24. "Eco-Sys Action Football Cup". ecosysaction.org.
  25. "Communication from the Quebec team for its participation in the Tournament of Peoples, Cultures and Tribes (Translation)". prouvenco-football.org (in French). 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  26. "Tynwald Hill International Football Tournament home page". Tynwald Hill International Football Tournament . Archived from the original on 29 July 2013.
  27. Karen Riquelme (8 August 2013). "Chile's Indigenous Football Tournament Kicks Off in Limache". I Love Chile News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.