Non-FIFA international football

FIFA is the international governing body of association football, charged with overseeing football globally and with running international representative matches. However, some international football takes place outside of its ratification. 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 of FIFA's auspices.

"National" teams

Broadly-speaking, there are five categories of Non-FIFA national team:

Regional associations

The first, and most common, are 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, whose members are also members of the FA. These regional associations often enter representative teams into international non-FIFA matches.

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 autonomy (Catalonia, Galicia or Basque Country, for example), or be seeking it. However, it is necessary to distinguish Basque Country from the others, as it represents all Basque Country, and not only the Autonomous Community of the same name Basque Country. Alternatively, some unrecognised states may have national teams. Some established members of UEFA once fell into this category, such as the Faroe Islands and Moldova. Current non-FIFA heavyweights Northern Cyprus are the best example of this category of non-FIFA football team. Also included are the representative sides of the Spanish autonomous regions, which currently play just one game a year, traditionally at Christmas. Another country with semi-international recognition, that is not affiliated with FIFA, is Kosovo.

Stateless people

The third group of teams features representative sides drawn from ethnic groups that have yet to gain significant control over a home state, or drawn from an ethnic diaspora. The Sami people of Lapland live in a distinct area of northern Scandinavia, yet fall under the control of four states. Nevertheless, they have organised a football association, and a representative team. Similarly, the Romani people have been strewn across Europe for centuries, has a fledgling footballing organisation to represent them in international competition. Other stateless nations, such as the Palestinians who, despite having no recognised state, have been welcomed into FIFA and the AFC.

States

Nine sovereign states (Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, United Kingdom and the Vatican City) are not affiliated to FIFA. The United Kingdom is represented through its four constituent countries, and the other eight countries (except the Marshall Islands) have or have had national teams that have played matches outside of FIFA.

Minorities

Another group of teams is composed by ethnic minorities in a state.

Organizations

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

ConIFA World Football Cup

Main article: ConIFA World Football Cup

Host Nation Year Winners
 Sweden 2014  County of Nice
The FIFI Wild Cup

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 on penalties to win the trophy.

Host Nation Year Winners
 Germany 2006  Northern Cyprus
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, and featured four teams. The South Moluccas won the cup, beating Chechnya in the final.

Host Nation Year Winners
 Netherlands 2005  South Moluccas
The VIVA World Cup

The first VIVA World Cup, organised by the NF-Board,[2] 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 Nation Year Winners
 Occitania 2006  Sápmi
 Sápmi 2008  Padania
 Padania 2009  Padania
 Gozo 2010  Padania
 Iraqi Kurdistan 2012  Iraqi Kurdistan
The ELF Cup

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 Nation Year Winners
 Northern Cyprus 2006  Northern Cyprus
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.

Host Nation Year Winners
 Faroe Islands 1989  Faroe Islands
 Åland 1991  Faroe Islands
 Isle of Wight 1993  Jersey
 Gibraltar 1995  Isle of Wight
 Jersey 1997  Jersey
 Gotland 1999  Ynys Môn
 Isle of Man 2001  Guernsey
 Guernsey 2003  Guernsey
 Shetland 2005  Shetland
 Rhodes 2007  Gibraltar
 Åland 2009  Jersey
 Isle of Wight 2011  Isle of Wight
 Bermuda 2013  Bermuda
 Jersey 2015

Continental

European Football Cup

The ConIFA Europen Football Cup will be played in Douglas, the Isle of Man. Place the tournament was moved to London, England, and then to Székely Land, Hungary. The tournament will take place from the 13th till the 21st of June, 2015. It will be 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.[3]

Host Nation Year Winners
 Székely Land 2015
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.

Host Nation Year Winners
  Switzerland 2008  South Tyrol
 Germany 2012  South Tyrol
 Italy 2016
Copa CSANF

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

Host Nation Year Winners
 Chile 2011 Juan Fernandez Islands
Copa ANPO

The Campeonato Nacional de Futbol Pueblos Originarios (Copa ANPO) is a football tournament for indigenous in South America, and is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Pueblos Originarios. The first edition was played in 2012 in Chile. Campeonato de futbol Pueblos Originarios Asociation Andina de Futbol[4] played between Native Peoples of Chile in 2012 - the first time. The tournament is 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.[5]

The N.F.-Board's South American governing body CSANF 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: EasterIsland (holders and pictured), Mapuche, Aymara, LikanAntay, Diaguita, Kolla, Quechua and a combined Yaghan-Kawesqar team.[6]

Host Nation Year Winners
 Chile 2012  Easter Island
 Chile 2013 Williche[7]
 Chile 2015 Mapuche[8]

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 Faroe Islands.

Women Tournaments

Across a discreet number of minor tournaments the only two main international football tournaments for women are the Women's VIVA World Cup and the Island Games. Still does not exists any continental tournament.

Island Games

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

Host Nation Year Winners
 Isle of Man 2001  Faroe Islands
 Guernsey 2003  Faroe Islands
 Shetland 2005  Faroe Islands
 Rhodes 2007  Åland Islands
 Åland 2009  Åland Islands
 Isle of Wight 2011  Åland Islands
 Bermuda 2013  Bermuda
 Jersey 2015

VIVA World Cup

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

Host Nation Year Winners
 Sápmi 2008  Sápmi
 Gozo 2010  Padania

Youth Tournaments

A big number of friendlies are played between youth selections with different restrictions (U-21, U-18, or U-16 for example) but still does not exists any international or continental tournaments. 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

References

  1. ↑ CONIFA
  2. ↑ Football Associations Members of the N.F.-Board
  3. ↑ Europen Football Cup outside FIFA
  4. ↑ Liga Andina Arica Facebook page. Accessed 16 Jun 2014.
  5. ↑ Indigenous Focus: Copa ANPO 2012. ILoveChile.Com
  6. ↑ CSANF announce plans for second South American competition
  7. ↑ Inicio del 2° Torneo de Fútbol de Pueblos Originarios Facebook page. Accessed 16 Jun 2014.
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ Non-FIFA Football Updates is back. Non-FIFA Football Updates - providing the latest news on the game outside FIFA's auspices.
  10. ↑ VI Jogos dos Povos Indígenas (in Portuguese). Possible ? Archive retrieved on Aug 6, 2012.
  11. ↑ Eco-Sys Action Football Cup.
  12. ↑ Communication de l'équipe québécoise pour sa participation au Tournois des Peuples, Cultures et Tribus (in French). Archive retrieved on June 27, 2013.
  13. ↑ Tynwald Hill International Football Tournament home page, web page archive as of 8 April 2013.
  14. ↑ Chile’s Indigenous Football Tournament Kicks Off in Limache. ILoveChile.Com
  15. ↑ CONIFA

External links