Frequently asked questions

Tickets for all FIFA matches are sold to fans directly and exclusively via FIFA.com. Any fans wishing to purchase tickets should visit FIFA.com regularly for updates, follow @FIFA.com on Twitter or register for the FIFA.com Club to receive the latest news on ticket sales.

The respective host football association manages tickets for friendlies and qualifiers. Contact details can be found in the FIFA Associations section on FIFA.com.

Please contact the Local Organising Committee of the tournament in which you are interested by checking the FIFA Tournaments section of FIFA.com.

FIFA unites the world through the FIFA World Cup and its many other competitions. In total, FIFA organises 16 different football tournaments, and information on all of these can be found in the FIFA Tournaments section on our website, FIFA.com.

One of the most important ways of raising the profile and popularity of football and helping to develop the game around the world is by staging international tournaments in as many different countries and regions as possible. This puts the spotlight on new nations, encourages investment in football in the host nation, helps to foster greater understanding between peoples, and inspires greater participation in the game. As the representative body of 209 national football associations, FIFA believes that it would be unfair for just one or two regions or a handful of nations to dominate the hosting of major international tournaments, as this would hinder the global growth of the game and create an unfair advantage in favour of those nations that already have highly developed sports industries.

As such, decision-makers from the global football community have strived to select a diverse as possible range of hosts for FIFA’s array of tournaments. The host of each FIFA World Cup is selected by representatives of the global football community from a range of potential candidates. It is not the individual choice of the FIFA President or the FIFA administration, but a collective decision made by a vote involving elected representatives from the global football community and based on individual assessments of the candidates’ bids. A shortlist for the host of the FIFA World Cup is drawn up through a vote by the FIFA Executive Committee – the global football community’s senior decision-making forum. This shortlist is then submitted to the FIFA Congress, where all 209 member associations are able to vote for their preferred host.

Hosts must show that they are able to deliver a successful tournament and meet a range of strict criteria, from stadium and environmental standards to legacy and security.

The economic impact of the FIFA World Cup on a host country is a hotly debated topic. While there is no overall consensus, the preparations for each tournament require substantial, long-term investments by FIFA, the government, and other stakeholders in the host’s economy and infrastructure, which live on beyond the competition. The impact varies from edition to edition and depends to a large extent on the host country and the way the event is organised. Staging the tournament entails transporting millions of people to the matches and Fan Fests, catering for their health and safety, dealing with waste from the stadiums, recruiting and training thousands of volunteers, providing an event that is accessible for everyone, and broadcasting the matches in over 200 countries and territories. This scale inevitably has an impact on society and the environment in the host country. As the organisers of this mega-event, we believe it is our responsibility to limit the negative impacts of the FIFA World Cup, while at the same time doing everything we can to maximise the positive impact it can have. For full details, please refer to our Sustainability Report on our website, FIFA.com.

Some of the positive impacts in Brazil included:

- The creation of one million jobs (source: FIPE/Brazilian Tourism Ministry) with an estimated injection of BRL 30 billion into the Brazilian economy

- The event generated close to BRL 500 million for 44,000 small Brazilian enterprises

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest single-sport competition in the world. Staging the tournament entails transporting millions of people to the matches and Fan Fests, catering for their health and safety, dealing with waste from the stadiums, recruiting and training thousands of volunteers, providing an event that is accessible for everyone, and broadcasting the matches in over 200 countries. This scale inevitably has an impact on society and the environment in the host country. As the organisers of this mega-event, we believe it is our responsibility to limit the associated negative impacts of the FIFA World Cup, while at the same time maximising the huge positive impact it can have.

Since the introduction of the third pillar of our mission in 2005, sustainability has gained an increasingly central role in FIFA’s operations, culminating in a first comprehensive sustainability strategy that we developed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. To find out more about the implementation of this strategy and how things are shaping up in this regard for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ read our Sustainability Report or visit the Sustainability section on our website, FIFA.com.

About half of the world’s population around the globe tune in to enjoy the state-of-the-art broadcast production of the FIFA World Cup, whether it is via television, cinema, public viewing events, radio or multimedia platforms. FIFA’s TV Division works hard to deliver the highest quality production of matches so that fans everywhere can experience the very best coverage of the world’s biggest single-sport event. FIFA TV also works closely with hundreds of broadcasters to transmit all the drama and excitement of the FIFA World Cup to audiences in every individual territory, providing crucial income for the global development of football and uniting the world through the game.

For more information, please visit the TV section on FIFA.com.

The bidding process for FIFA tournaments is summarised in the Bidding section on FIFA.com.

Tickets for all FIFA matches are sold to fans directly and exclusively via FIFA.com. Any fans wishing to purchase tickets should visit FIFA.com regularly for updates, follow @FIFA.com on Twitter or register for the FIFA.com Club to receive the latest news on ticket sales.

The respective host football association manages tickets for friendlies and qualifiers. Contact details can be found in the FIFA Associations section on FIFA.com.

Sorry, attendance at the FIFA Ballon d’Or is by invitation only but keep an eye out for local promotional give-aways.

As a basic principle, our Legal Affairs Division is not in a position to reply via e-mail to queries that may have a legal impact. Such enquiries therefore need to be submitted either by fax or post (or by courier) and be signed by the sender.

FIFA
FIFA-Strasse 20
P.O. Box
8044 Zurich
Switzerland
Fax: +41 43 222 77 55

As a basic principle, our Players’ Status Department is not in a position to reply via e-mail to queries that may have a legal impact. Such enquiries therefore need to be submitted either by fax or post (or by courier) and be signed by the sender.

FIFA
FIFA-Strasse 20
P.O. Box
8044 Zurich
Switzerland Fax: +41 43 222 7878

This is most likely a fraudulent e-mail and a scam. Unfortunately it is an ongoing issue that we are unable to stop. We advise not to respond or to provide any personal information to the contacts listed in the e-mails/letters. We also suggest that you forward the e-mail to your local authorities for handling.

Our Official Marks (e.g. the FIFA logo, the Official Trophy of the FIFA World Cup, the Official Emblem and Official Mascot of the FIFA World Cup) are protected around the world by intellectual property laws.

In general, we can only authorise use of our Official Marks to our sponsors and licensees. We ask that this exclusivity of brand association with FIFA and its tournaments is respected. Third parties must avoid any activities that might create a commercial association and/or seek promotional exposure in connection with FIFA and its tournaments.

For further information and guidance, please refer to www.fifa.com/brandprotection and in particular the document entitled FIFA Public Guidelines for use of FIFA Official Marks. 

To submit a request to use FIFA’s Official Marks, please complete the Mark Request Form.

Please visit the EA Sports website for more information on buying coins and the only official source to obtain FIFA coins.

In general, third parties are allowed to use the text of any FIFA-produced articles/statistics that are available on FIFA.com for purely editorial, non-commercial purposes, provided that they clearly indicate the source of the material with the proper credit.

However, this does not apply to copyrighted materials such as images, logos, Reuters or any other non-FIFA.com labelled journalists and articles that you may find on our official website.

Similar to other organisations, FIFA must commission and acquire pictures for its website from various photographers and agencies. For that reason, our images are subject to copyright restrictions and we are therefore not permitted to provide images to third parties. Permission should therefore be sought from the individual photo agencies concerned.

Images that are the property of FIFA may also not be used for commercial purposes by third parties. Therefore, please contact our digital stock provider, Getty Images (www.gettyimages.co.uk).

The media rights in connection with the FIFA World Cup and all other FIFA events are subject to contractual agreement, and no unauthorised use of FIFA’s content is permitted.

We receive a significant number of similar requests every day, many more than we are able to accommodate. We are therefore regrettably unable to help with your request. For player autographs, please contact the respective football association or club.

FIFA pin badges are only available to FIFA employees or at FIFA tournaments or at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. More information and material regarding FIFA can be accessed online on our official website, www.FIFA.com.

FIFA’s development and financial support to its 209 member associations extends to FIFA material, including refereeing equipment. Therefore, please contact your national association directly with your request.

We already operate a number of our own initiatives aimed at directly benefitting local and global communities who use football as a symbol of hope and integration. As we receive a significant number of such requests every day, many more than we are able to accommodate, we are regrettably unable to help with your request. As you will understand, we are simply not in a position to choose or consider such offers at risk of being preferential, selective or biased.

All FIFA publications are available online in the Official Documents section on FIFA.com.

The FIFA Weekly is available every Friday both as a print edition and as an e-magazine. It offers fans a wide range of news stories from FIFA and across the world of football, including fascinating reports on the biggest stars, in-depth analysis, interviews, photos, commentaries, debates and much more. Visit the FIFA Weekly webpage for more information, including on how to subscribe to the FIFA Weekly app.

Please contact:

CIES (International Centre for Sports Studies) Hotel DuPeyrou
Avenue DuPeyrou 1
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
Switzerland www.cies-uni.org / www.cies.ch

Only FIFA member associations and confederations can apply for FIFA projects or funds. Contact details for your national football association can be found in the FIFA Associations section on FIFA.com.

Information on our development courses can be found in the Development section of FIFA.com. However, please be aware that all our courses are conducted with the assistance of our member associations and the confederations. For registration, please contact your national football association.

All of our courses are conducted with the assistance of our member associations and the confederations. For registration, please contact your national football association.

Information on how to become an intermediary can be found in the FIFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries. Please note, however, that the licensing structure is handled by the respective member association.

Anyone wishing to obtain a FIFA Match Agent licence should request the national association where one is either domiciled or has his headquarters a written confirmation that:

a) The candidate applying for the licence has a good reputation

b) The association does not object to the candidate acting as a match agent.

Once such written confirmation received, you should send a written request to the FIFA General Secretariat (c. Art. 4 of the FIFA Match Agent Regulations).

For all events other than the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup

The player escort programme is managed by the Local Organising Committee of the relevant tournament. If you are interested in finding out how you or your child can be involved in a future FIFA tournament, please contact the relevant Local Organising Committee. 

For the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup

The player escort programme for the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup is managed by one of our World Cup Sponsors – McDonald’s. If you are interested in finding out how you or your child can be involved at the FIFA World Cup or the FIFA Confederations Cup, please contact your local McDonald’s office.

Please refer to our Electoral Regulations for the FIFA Presidency.

Please contact the Local Organising Committee of the tournament in which you are interested by checking the FIFA Tournaments section of FIFA.com.

The first step towards becoming a referee is to register with your national football association, and the second is to attend a basic refereeing course. Please contact your local refereeing coordinator, football club or football association, who will assist you accordingly.

You need to be a referee officiating regularly at the highest level of competition and have met the technical, fitness and medical requirements set by your national football association. Only then can your national football association nominate you for the FIFA Refereeing International Lists. The FIFA Referees Committee evaluates all nominees in October or November of every year, and the approved lists are published annually on FIFA.com by no later than 3 January.

FIFA does not comment on individual referees’ performances or specific match incidents.

FIFA works consistently to improve the standard of refereeing worldwide. Referees and assistant referees are assessed on their performance in all official matches, and these evaluations are taken into account when deciding on future appointments.

FIFA’s development and financial support for its 209 member associations also extends to FIFA material, including refereeing equipment. Therefore, please contact your national association for such requests.

FIFA’s Laws of the Game 2014/2015 can be found in the Official Documents section on FIFA.com.

You may reproduce or translate the Laws of the Game in whole or in part under the following conditions:

- Permission is restricted to the current version of the Laws of the Game
- Reference must be made to the source and copyright
- Mention must be made that all rights are reserved by FIFA
- Mention must be made that they are the official Laws of the Game passed by The International Football Association Board and published by FIFA
- The use of the reproduced text and imagery is solely editorial, and not commercial

FIFA continually reviews the game of football with a view to improving the universality and fairness of the sport. However, the only body able to decide on any change relating to the Laws of the Game is The International Football Association Board (The IFAB). For The IFAB to discuss your proposal, it has to be sent and approved by the football association in your country, and then submitted on your behalf.

If your question relating to the Laws of the Game is not listed in our FAQ section, please contact your national football association directly.

Anyone wishing to obtain a FIFA Match Agent licence should request the national association where one is either domiciled or has his headquarters a written confirmation that:

a) The candidate applying for the licence has a good reputation

b) The association does not object to the candidate acting as a match agent.

Once such written confirmation received, you should send a written request to the FIFA General Secretariat (c. Art. 4 of the FIFA Match Agent Regulations).

The Regulations on working with intermediaries can be found in the Laws and Regulations section on FIFA.com.

The FIFA.com Club is FIFA’s official online community and is open to all football fans everywhere. As a Club member you can interact with millions of fans from all over the world, share your views, enter contests, play games and win prizes. Club members receive exclusive offers from the FIFA.com store and also have the chance to apply for FIFA World Cup tickets. Register for the FIFA.com Club.

If you have any questions about using the site or are experiencing a technical problem on FIFA.com, simply check the “Technical problems on FIFA.com” box in the Contact FIFA section and we’ll try our best to help!

Log in to your Club account. Next, visit your Club overview page. Click on the “Edit My Profile” link in the top-right corner. You can subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter at any time simply by checking/unchecking the boxes listed under the Newsletter section on this page.

Please visit the MRL List on FIFA.com and check the territory from where you want to watch the match.

Please refer to our TV Audience Reports in the TV section of FIFA.com.

Sponsor – please contact sales@fifa.org
Licensee – please contact fifaretail@fifa.org

FIFA Partners have the right to associate themselves with all FIFA events throughout their agreement. There are different sponsors for different events, so please refer to the respective tournament in our FIFA Tournaments section on FIFA.com.

Yes, we do. Our sponsorship strategy is outlined in the Marketing/Sponsorship section of FIFA.com.

The media rights in connection with the FIFA World Cup and all other FIFA events are subject to contractual agreement, and no unauthorised use of FIFA’s content is permitted.

Information about FIFA’s archive video content and the procedure for obtaining the relevant authorisation to use it can be found at www.fifafilms.com.

As soon as we have confirmed who will hold the rights to create the official music of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, you can contact them directly regarding your song. In the meantime, please keep checking FIFA.com for updates.

Perimeter board advertising (and all other advertising within official FIFA venues) is only available to the Commercial Affiliates of the relevant FIFA event.

You can request information not in the FAQ via the contact form.