FIFA is the governing body of world football, overseeing 211 member associations across six continental confederations. While fans often hear about the influence of UEFA, CAF, or CONCACAF in FIFA elections, many wonder: How many votes does each FIFA confederation actually have?
The answer depends on the voting body, but for FIFA Congress elections—including the election of the FIFA President—each member association receives one vote, not each confederation.
FIFA Congress Voting System
The FIFA Congress is the organization’s highest legislative body, with all 211 member associations entitled to one vote each. Confederations do not cast votes collectively, meaning every national football association votes independently.
If every member association within a confederation voted together, the voting strength would be as follows:
| Confederation | Member Associations | Potential Votes |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA (Europe) | 55 | 55 |
| CAF (Africa) | 54 | 54 |
| AFC (Asia) | 47 | 47 |
| CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean) | 35 | 35 |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | 10 | 10 |
| OFC (Oceania) | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 211 | 211 |
Which Confederation Has the Most Votes?
Based on the number of member associations, the confederations rank as follows:
- UEFA – 55 votes
- CAF – 54 votes
- AFC – 47 votes
- CONCACAF – 35 votes
- CONMEBOL – 10 votes
- OFC – 10 votes
Although UEFA has the largest number of member associations, it holds just one more vote than CAF in a FIFA Congress vote.
How FIFA Presidential Elections Work
The FIFA President is elected during the FIFA Congress. Since each member association receives one vote, candidates must build support across multiple confederations rather than relying solely on Europe or South America.
This voting structure means that alliances with African, Asian, Caribbean, and other national associations often play a decisive role in determining the outcome of FIFA presidential elections.
FIFA Council Representation
The FIFA Council, which is responsible for strategic and executive decisions between Congress meetings, is structured differently. Rather than assigning one vote per member association, each confederation elects a specific number of representatives.
- UEFA: 9 seats
- CAF: 7 seats
- AFC: 7 seats
- CONCACAF: 5 seats
- CONMEBOL: 5 seats
- OFC: 3 seats
The FIFA President also serves on the Council, bringing the total membership to 37.
Why FIFA’s Voting System Matters
FIFA’s one-member, one-vote system is designed to give every national football association an equal voice, regardless of its size, football history, or commercial influence. As a result, countries from every region of the world can play an important role in shaping FIFA’s leadership and major policy decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many votes does UEFA have in FIFA?
UEFA has 55 member associations, giving it 55 potential votes in the FIFA Congress.
Which FIFA confederation has the second-most votes?
CAF (Africa) has 54 member associations, making it the second-largest voting bloc.
Does each FIFA confederation get one vote?
No. Each of FIFA’s 211 member associations receives one vote. Confederations do not vote as a single entity.
How many FIFA member associations are there?
FIFA currently has 211 member associations, each with one vote in the FIFA Congress.