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Top 40 Sportsabc Federations Index
Top 40 Sports Federations in the World | Global Governing Bodies of Sport
#1 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) image
#1 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs international football, sets the rules of the game, and promotes football development worldwide. - Major Events Organized: FIFA World Cup (Men's and Women's), FIFA Confederations Cup. - Key Achievements: Successfully organized the FIFA World Cup since 1930, making it one of the most watched sporting events globally.
Headquarters
Zurich, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1904
Sport(s) Governed
Football (Soccer)
#2 International Olympic Committee (IOC) image
#2 International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Oversees the Olympic Movement, selects host cities, and ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games. - Major Events Organized: Summer and Winter Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games. - Key Achievements: Promoted peace and unity through sport, successfully organizing the modern Olympics since 1896.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1894
Sport(s) Governed
Multi-sport
#3 World Athletics (formerly IAAF) image
#3 World Athletics (formerly IAAF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs track and field athletics, sets competition rules, and promotes the sport globally. - Major Events Organized: World Athletics Championships, Diamond League. - Key Achievements: Standardized rules for athletics events, enhanced global participation, and advanced anti-doping measures.
Headquarters
Monaco
Level
International
Founded
1912
Sport(s) Governed
Athletics
#4 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) image
#4 International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs international basketball competitions, sets rules, and promotes basketball worldwide. - Major Events Organized: FIBA Basketball World Cup, Women's Basketball World Cup, Olympic basketball tournaments. - Key Achievements: Unified basketball rules globally, contributing to the sport's international growth.
Headquarters
Mies, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1932
Sport(s) Governed
Basketball
#5 International Cricket Council (ICC) image
#5 International Cricket Council (ICC)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs and regulates cricket globally, oversees international matches, and develops the sport. - Major Events Organized: ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI and T20), ICC World Test Championship. - Key Achievements: Expanded cricket's global reach, introduced T20 format, enhancing the sport's popularity.
Headquarters
Dubai, UAE
Level
International
Founded
1909
Sport(s) Governed
Cricket
#6 International Swimming Federation (FINA) image
#6 International Swimming Federation (FINA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, and open water swimming. - Major Events Organized: FINA World Aquatics Championships, Swimming World Cup. - Key Achievements: Promoted aquatic sports globally, standardized rules, and advanced athlete welfare programs.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1908
Sport(s) Governed
Aquatic Sports
#7 International Tennis Federation (ITF) image
#7 International Tennis Federation (ITF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs tennis worldwide, sanctions tournaments, and manages the rules of the game. - Major Events Organized: Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic tennis events. - Key Achievements: Unified global tennis governance, increased accessibility and development programs.
Headquarters
London, UK
Level
International
Founded
1913
Sport(s) Governed
Tennis
#8 World Rugby image
#8 World Rugby
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs rugby union globally, sets rules, and promotes the sport's development. - Major Events Organized: Rugby World Cup, Women's Rugby World Cup, World Rugby Sevens Series. - Key Achievements: Reintroduced rugby into the Olympics, expanded the sport's global footprint.
Headquarters
Dublin, Ireland
Level
International
Founded
1886
Sport(s) Governed
Rugby Union
#9 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) image
#9 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs indoor, beach, and snow volleyball, sets rules, and organizes international competitions. - Major Events Organized: FIVB Volleyball World Championships, Volleyball Nations League, Beach Volleyball World Championships. - Key Achievements: Popularized volleyball globally, especially beach volleyball, and standardized rules.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1947
Sport(s) Governed
Volleyball
#10 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) image
#10 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs international ice hockey, organizes tournaments, and develops the sport worldwide. - Major Events Organized: IIHF World Championships, Olympic ice hockey tournaments. - Key Achievements: Expanded ice hockey's global presence beyond traditional strongholds.
Headquarters
Zurich, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1908
Sport(s) Governed
Ice Hockey
#11 Badminton World Federation (BWF) image
#11 Badminton World Federation (BWF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs badminton globally, sets rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: BWF World Championships, Thomas & Uber Cup, Sudirman Cup. - Key Achievements: Successfully campaigned for badminton's inclusion in the Olympics in 1992.
Headquarters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Level
International
Founded
1934
Sport(s) Governed
Badminton
#12 International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) image
#12 International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs artistic, rhythmic, trampoline gymnastics, and more; sets rules and scoring systems. - Major Events Organized: World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. - Key Achievements: Oldest international sports federation, instrumental in gymnastics' Olympic history.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1881
Sport(s) Governed
Gymnastics
#13 International Hockey Federation (FIH) image
#13 International Hockey Federation (FIH)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs field hockey globally, sets rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: Hockey World Cup, FIH Pro League, Olympic hockey tournaments. - Key Achievements: Unified hockey rules, expanded women's participation, and enhanced global competitiveness.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1924
Sport(s) Governed
Field Hockey
#14 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) image
#14 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs table tennis worldwide, sets rules, and organizes international competitions. - Major Events Organized: World Table Tennis Championships, World Cup. - Key Achievements: Increased global popularity, especially in Asia, and standardized equipment and rules.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1926
Sport(s) Governed
Table Tennis
#15 International Cycling Union (UCI) image
#15 International Cycling Union (UCI)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs cycling disciplines including road, track, mountain biking, BMX, and cyclo-cross. - Major Events Organized: UCI Road World Championships, World Cup events. - Key Achievements: Implemented anti-doping measures, expanded cycling disciplines, and promoted global participation.
Headquarters
Aigle, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1900
Sport(s) Governed
Cycling
#16 International Boxing Association (IBA) (formerly AIBA) image
#16 International Boxing Association (IBA) (formerly AIBA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs amateur boxing worldwide, sets rules, and organizes international competitions. - Major Events Organized: World Boxing Championships, Olympic boxing events. - Key Achievements: Standardized amateur boxing rules, promoted women's boxing, and developed youth programs.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1946
Sport(s) Governed
Boxing
#17 International Judo Federation (IJF) image
#17 International Judo Federation (IJF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs judo globally, sets competition rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: World Judo Championships, Olympic judo tournaments. - Key Achievements: Expanded judo's global reach, increased participation, especially among youth and women.
Headquarters
Budapest, Hungary
Level
International
Founded
1951
Sport(s) Governed
Judo
#18 World Sailing (formerly ISAF) image
#18 World Sailing (formerly ISAF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs sailing worldwide, sets rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: Sailing World Championships, Olympic sailing events. - Key Achievements: Standardized sailing classes, promoted safety regulations, and expanded youth participation.
Headquarters
London, UK
Level
International
Founded
1907
Sport(s) Governed
Sailing
#19 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) image
#19 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs shooting sports globally, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: ISSF World Shooting Championships, Olympic shooting events. - Key Achievements: Modernized shooting disciplines, enhanced safety standards, and promoted gender equality.
Headquarters
Munich, Germany
Level
International
Founded
1907
Sport(s) Governed
Shooting
#20 International Skating Union (ISU) image
#20 International Skating Union (ISU)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs figure skating and speed skating, sets rules, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: World Figure Skating Championships, World Speed Skating Championships, Olympic events. - Key Achievements: Developed judging systems, expanded global participation, and promoted ice sports.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1892
Sport(s) Governed
Figure Skating, Speed Skating
#21 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) image
#21 International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs equestrian disciplines like show jumping, dressage, eventing; sets rules and welfare standards. - Major Events Organized: FEI World Equestrian Games, Olympic equestrian events. - Key Achievements: Promoted horse welfare, standardized international competition rules, and expanded global participation.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1921
Sport(s) Governed
Equestrian Sports
#22 World Archery Federation (WA) image
#22 World Archery Federation (WA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs archery worldwide, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: World Archery Championships, Olympic archery events. - Key Achievements: Modernized archery formats, increased media exposure, and promoted youth participation.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1931
Sport(s) Governed
Archery
#23 International Canoe Federation (ICF) image
#23 International Canoe Federation (ICF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs canoe and kayak sports, sets rules, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, Olympic canoeing events. - Key Achievements: Expanded disciplines like canoe slalom, promoted environmental sustainability in waterways.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1946
Sport(s) Governed
Canoeing and Kayaking
#24 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) image
#24 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs weightlifting globally, sets competition rules, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: IWF World Weightlifting Championships, Olympic weightlifting events. - Key Achievements: Implemented anti-doping measures, promoted gender equality, and standardized weight classes.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1905
Sport(s) Governed
Weightlifting
#25 International Surfing Association (ISA) image
#25 International Surfing Association (ISA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs surfing worldwide, sets competition rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: ISA World Surfing Games, Olympic surfing events. - Key Achievements: Instrumental in getting surfing included in the Olympic Games starting from Tokyo 2020.
Headquarters
La Jolla, USA
Level
International
Founded
1964
Sport(s) Governed
Surfing
#26 World Karate Federation (WKF) image
#26 World Karate Federation (WKF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs karate globally, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: World Karate Championships, Olympic karate events. - Key Achievements: Achieved inclusion of karate in the Olympic Games for Tokyo 2020, standardized kata and kumite rules.
Headquarters
Madrid, Spain
Level
International
Founded
1990
Sport(s) Governed
Karate
#27 International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) image
#27 International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs ITF-style taekwondo, sets technical standards, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: ITF World Championships. - Key Achievements: Promoted taekwondo globally, contributed to its development and differentiation from WTF (World Taekwondo).
Headquarters
Vienna, Austria
Level
International
Founded
1966
Sport(s) Governed
Taekwondo
#28 World Taekwondo (WT) image
#28 World Taekwondo (WT)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs Olympic-style taekwondo, sets competition rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: World Taekwondo Championships, Olympic taekwondo events. - Key Achievements: Secured taekwondo's inclusion in the Olympics since 2000, standardized electronic scoring systems.
Headquarters
Seoul, South Korea
Level
International
Founded
1973
Sport(s) Governed
Taekwondo
#29 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) image
#29 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs sport climbing disciplines (lead, bouldering, speed), sets rules, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: IFSC Climbing World Championships, Olympic sport climbing events. - Key Achievements: Achieved inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympics starting from Tokyo 2020, promoted climbing as a competitive sport.
Headquarters
Torino, Italy
Level
International
Founded
2007
Sport(s) Governed
Sport Climbing
#30 World Rowing Federation (FISA) image
#30 World Rowing Federation (FISA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs rowing globally, sets rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: World Rowing Championships, Olympic rowing events. - Key Achievements: Oldest international sports federation, promoted gender equality and para-rowing events.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1892
Sport(s) Governed
Rowing
#31 International Triathlon Union (World Triathlon) image
#31 International Triathlon Union (World Triathlon)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs triathlon worldwide, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: World Triathlon Series, Olympic triathlon events. - Key Achievements: Instrumental in triathlon's inclusion in the Olympics starting from Sydney 2000, promoted mixed relay events.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1989
Sport(s) Governed
Triathlon
#32 International Fencing Federation (FIE) image
#32 International Fencing Federation (FIE)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs fencing globally, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: World Fencing Championships, Olympic fencing events. - Key Achievements: Standardized fencing rules, introduced electronic scoring systems, promoted women's events.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1913
Sport(s) Governed
Fencing
#33 International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) image
#33 International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs modern pentathlon (fencing, swimming, equestrian, shooting, running), sets rules, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: UIPM World Championships, Olympic modern pentathlon events. - Key Achievements: Maintained modern pentathlon's presence in the Olympics since 1912, adapted the sport for modern audiences.
Headquarters
Monaco
Level
International
Founded
1948
Sport(s) Governed
Modern Pentathlon
#34 International Ski Federation (FIS) image
#34 International Ski Federation (FIS)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs skiing and snowboarding disciplines, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: FIS World Championships, World Cup events, Olympic skiing events. - Key Achievements: Expanded winter sports globally, standardized competition formats, promoted safety in winter sports.
Headquarters
Oberhofen, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1924
Sport(s) Governed
Skiing and Snowboarding
#35 International Golf Federation (IGF) image
#35 International Golf Federation (IGF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs golf internationally, promotes the sport, and coordinates Olympic golf events. - Major Events Organized: Olympic golf tournaments. - Key Achievements: Successfully reintroduced golf into the Olympics in 2016 after a 112-year absence.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1958
Sport(s) Governed
Golf
#36 International Rugby League (IRL) image
#36 International Rugby League (IRL)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs rugby league globally, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: Rugby League World Cup. - Key Achievements: Expanded rugby league's international presence, promoted development in emerging nations.
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
Level
International
Founded
1927
Sport(s) Governed
Rugby League
#37 International Handball Federation (IHF) image
#37 International Handball Federation (IHF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs handball and beach handball worldwide, sets rules, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: IHF World Men's and Women's Handball Championships, Olympic handball events. - Key Achievements: Promoted handball globally, increased participation, especially in youth categories.
Headquarters
Basel, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1946
Sport(s) Governed
Handball
#38 International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) image
#38 International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs bodybuilding and fitness competitions worldwide, sets rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships. - Key Achievements: Standardized competition categories, promoted fitness and healthy lifestyles globally.
Headquarters
Madrid, Spain
Level
International
Founded
1946
Sport(s) Governed
Bodybuilding, Fitness
#39 International Federation of Basque Pelota (FIPV) image
#39 International Federation of Basque Pelota (FIPV)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs Basque pelota, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: Basque Pelota World Championships. - Key Achievements: Preserved traditional sport, promoted cultural heritage, and expanded international participation.
Headquarters
Madrid, Spain
Level
International
Founded
1929
Sport(s) Governed
Basque Pelota
#40 World Squash Federation (WSF) image
#40 World Squash Federation (WSF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs squash worldwide, sets rules, and promotes the sport. - Major Events Organized: World Squash Championships. - Key Achievements: Modernized the sport, campaigned for Olympic inclusion, increased global participation.
Headquarters
Hastings, UK
Level
International
Founded
1967
Sport(s) Governed
Squash
#41 International Chess Federation (FIDE) image
#41 International Chess Federation (FIDE)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs chess competitions worldwide, sets rules, and awards titles. - Major Events Organized: Chess Olympiad, World Chess Championship. - Key Achievements: Standardized international chess competition, recognized as an International Sports Federation by the IOC.
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
1924
Sport(s) Governed
Chess
#42 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) image
#42 International Federation of American Football (IFAF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs American football internationally, promotes the sport outside the USA. - Major Events Organized: IFAF World Championship. - Key Achievements: Expanded American football's presence internationally, established competitive national teams in various countries.
Headquarters
La Courneuve, France
Level
International
Founded
1998
Sport(s) Governed
American Football
#43 International Floorball Federation (IFF) image
#43 International Floorball Federation (IFF)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs floorball worldwide, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: Men's and Women's World Floorball Championships. - Key Achievements: Gained recognition from the IOC, expanded the sport rapidly, especially in Europe and Asia.
Headquarters
Helsinki, Finland
Level
International
Founded
1986
Sport(s) Governed
Floorball
#44 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) image
#44 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs baseball and softball globally, promotes the sports, and organizes events. - Major Events Organized: Premier12, WBSC World Cups, Olympic baseball and softball events. - Key Achievements: Unified baseball and softball under one federation, reintroduced both sports into the Olympics for Tokyo 2020.
Headquarters
Pully, Switzerland
Level
International
Founded
2013
Sport(s) Governed
Baseball, Softball
#45 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) image
#45 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA)
- Roles and Responsibilities: Governs Muay Thai worldwide, sets rules, and organizes competitions. - Major Events Organized: IFMA World Championships. - Key Achievements: Recognized by the IOC, promoted Muay Thai globally, enhanced athlete safety standards.
Headquarters
Bangkok, Thailand
Level
International
Founded
1993
Sport(s) Governed
Muay Thai
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