This is a list of international sports federations, each of which serves as a non-governmental governing body for a given sport and administers its sport at a world level, most often crafting rules, promoting the sport to prospective spectators and fans, developing prospective players, and organizing world or continental championships. Some international sports federations, such as World Aquatics and the International Skating Union, may oversee multiple activities referred to in common parlance as separate sports: World Aquatics, for example governs swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, and water polo as separate "disciplines" within the single "sport" of Aquatics.
International sports federations form an integral part of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Each Olympic sport is represented by its respective international sports federation, which in turn helps administer the events in its respective sport during the Games. For a sport to become an Olympic sport, its international sports federation must be recognized by the International Olympic Committee.[1]
Likewise, an international sports federation must be recognized by the International Paralympic Committee for its sport to become a paralympic sport, though in the latter case, several Paralympic Sports are governed by a dedicated committee of the International Paralympic Committee itself, under the World Para branding, for example track and field athletics for disabled athletes is governed by the IPC itself, under the name "World Para Athletics". Other Paralympic sports are governed within the structure of the able-bodied equivalent: for example, the UCI governs both able-bodied and paralympic cycling.
Federations recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
In May 2023 the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) reached a number of 31 full member international federations and 2 associate member international federations.[2]
However, on 22 June 2023, the IOC decided to withdraw recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA), in accordance with Rule 3.7 of the Olympic Charter (OC),[3] although boxing will continue to be an olympic sport for the 2028 Summer Olympics.[4] This was the first-ever International Federation to be removed from the Olympic Movement by the IOC.[5]
The following are the 30 members of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)[6][7][8] which are recognised by the International Olympic Committee:
^ Denotes membership also to The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).[9]
ASOIF associate members
The following are the 2 current Associate Member International Federations of ASOIF.[8]
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| DanceSport | World DanceSport Federation (WDSF formerly IDSF) |
| Baseball, softball (and Baseball5)[13] | World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)[12] |
Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF)
The following are recognized by the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF):
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| Biathlon | International Biathlon Union (IBU) |
| Bobsleigh and skeleton | International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) |
| Curling | World Curling Federation (WCF) |
| Ice hockey | International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) |
| Ice skating (including figure skating, speed skating, and short-track speed skating) | International Skating Union (ISU) |
| Luge | Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course (FIL) |
| Skiing (including Alpine, Nordic combined, cross-country, freestyle, and ski jumping) and snowboarding | International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) |
The following is an Associate Member International Federation [citation needed] of AIOWF (representing a sport which is on the Olympic Programme of Milan-Cortina 2026[14]).
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| Ski mountaineering | International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) |
Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)
As of April 2024 the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) has 39 member federations.[15][16]
The following are recognised by the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF):
^ Denotes membership also to The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).[9]
Federations recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
There are 17 international federations recognized by the IPC, while the IPC itself serves as the international federation for six sports.[22][23] IPC recognises also 4 International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled. And there are another 14 federations which are recognised by the IPC but are not eligible to be IPC members.[24]
Sports directly governed by IPC
On 30 November 2016, the IPC adopted the "World Para" brand for all 10 of the sports that it directly governed at that time.[25] At the 2021 IPC General Assembly, IPC members provided a strong mandate for the IPC to cease acting as the international federation for 10 sports by the end of 2026.[26] Para alpine skiing, Para cross-country, Para snowboard and Para biathlon have been already transferred to FIS and IBU.[26][27] Currently IPC acts as the international federation for six sports:[28]
International Federations
International Federations are independent sport federations recognised by the IPC as the sole representative of a Paralympic Sport.
The IPC currently recognises 17 International Federations representing 19 parasports:[24]
International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled
- International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled (IOSDs) are independent organisations recognised by the IPC as the sole representatives of a specific impairment group.
- The IPC currently recognises 3 IOSDs:[24]
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair Fencing,[31] Powerchair Hockey,[32] Frame running,[33] Wheelchair slalom,[34] Frame football[35] | World Abilitysport |
| Blind football,[36] Goalball, Para judo[37] | International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) |
| For athletes with an intellectual disability | Virtus (formerly Inas)[38] |
Following two years of talks, and relevant decisions by both their General Assemblies, on 1 January 2023, the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) were merged to form World Abilitysport.[39]
IPC-recognised International sports federations non-eligible for membership
The IPC recognises a number of international sports federations which are not eligible to be IPC members, but contribute to the development of sport opportunities for athletes associated with the Paralympic Movement and have organisational goals that are compatible with the Vision and Mission of the IPC.
The following 14 are IPC-recognised international sport federations:[24]
SportAccord
Federations whose sports are either included in the Olympic Games (ASOIF, AIOWF) or recognized by the IOC (ARISF) are also stakeholders of SportAccord,[40] after the dissolution of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) in 2023. Other stakeholders of SportAccord (non-IOC recognized) compose the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS).[41]
Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS)
^ Denotes membership also to The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).[9]
Associate members of GAISF
Before the dissolution of GAISF in 2023, other than full members (composing ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF and AIMS), there have been Associate members of GAISF.[42] After the dissolution of GAISF, the proposal has been for its former associate members to be granted observer status at the SportAccord General Assembly.[43]
Observers of GAISF
Before the dissolution of GAISF in 2023, the GAISF Observer Status could be requested by the Applicants to GAISF Membership interested to obtain support and guidance in their path to fulfil the GAISF Membership Criteria.[44]
^ Denotes membership to The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).[9]
Other international sports federations
The international federations listed below are currently not related with GAISF / SportAccord.
(Non-GAISF) TAFISA members
The international federations listed below, for the time being, are not related with GAISF / SportAccord, but are among the international members of The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).[9]
| Sport | Organisation | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Alysh | International Federation of Wrestling on Belts Alysh (IFWBA) | |
| Armwrestling | International Federation of Armwrestling | IFA |
| Baton twirling | World Baton Twirling Federation | (WBTF) |
| Beach tennis | International Federation of Beach Tennis | (IFBT) |
| Bodybuilding, physique sports, and fitness | World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation | (WBPF) |
| Brazilian jiu-jitsu | Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) | |
| Cardio | International Association of Cardio HIIT Sports | (IACHS) |
| Sports Chanbara (Spochan) | International Sports Chanbara Association (ISCA) | |
| Cheerleading | International Federation of Cheerleading (IFC) | |
| Dancesport | World Dance Council Ltd. | (WDC) |
| International Dance Organisation (IDO) | ||
| International Dance Sport Association | (IDSA) | |
| Darts | International Dart Federation | (IDF) |
| Dodgeball | World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) | |
| Draughts | International Draughts Federation | (IDF) |
| e-Sports | International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) | |
| Field archery | International Field Archery Association (IFAA) | |
| Fudokan | World Fudokan Federation | (WFF) |
| Functional Fitness | International Functional Fitness Federation | (iF3) |
| Hangung | World Hangung Association | [45] |
| Hapkido | World Hapkido Confederation | (WHC) |
| World Hapkido Federation (also known as The Federation of World Hapkido) |
(WHF) | |
| Jiu Jitsu | World Jiu Jitsu Confederation | (WJJC) |
| Judo | World Judo Federation – Judo for All | (WJF) |
| Jukskei | International Jukskei Federation | (IJF) |
| Kabaddi | International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) | |
| World Kabaddi | (World Kabaddi) | |
| Kempo | International Kempo Federation (IKF) | |
| Kettlebel sport | World Kettlebell Sport Federation | (WKSF) |
| Kungfu Dragon & Lion Dance | World Kungfu Dragon & Lion Dance Federation | (World Kungfu Dragon & Lion Dance Federation) |
| Martial Arts | World Martial Arts Committee | (WMAC) |
| Majorette sport | Majorette-Sport World Federation | (MWF) |
| NaB Golf | International NaB Golf Association | (INGA) |
| Nordic walking | International Nordic Walking Federation | (INWA) |
| Pilates | World Pilates Confederation | (WPC) |
| Police Martial Arts | International Police Martial Arts Federation | |
| Qwan Ki Do | International Qwan Ki Do Federation and Associated Disciplines | (IQKDF) |
| Rafting | World Rafting Federation (associated with International Canoe Federation (ICF)) |
(WRF) |
| Silambam | World Silambam Association (WSA) (supporter member) | [46] |
| SPOQCS | International SPOQCS Federation | (SIF) |
| Taekwondo | International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF) | |
| World Association of Taekwondo for All | ||
| Tchoukball | Fédération Internationale de Tchoukball | (FITB) |
| Traditional Karate | International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) | |
| Traditional Taekwondo | International Traditional Taekwon-do Federation | (ITTAF) |
| Volksmarching | Internationaler Volkssportverband e.V. (The International Federation of Popular Sports) | (IVV) |
| Walking | IML Walking Association | |
| Zurkaneh | International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation | (IZSF) |
Non-associated federations
The international federations listed below are currently not related with either with GAISF / SportAccord or with The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA).
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| Aesthetic group gymnastics | International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (IFAAG) |
| Amputee football | World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF) |
| Arnis | World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) |
| Australian rules football | Australian Football International (AFI) |
| Axe throwing | International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) |
| Beach handball | World Beach Handball Association (WBHA) [citation needed] |
| Beach soccer | Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) (associated with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)) |
| Beeni | World Beeni Federation (WBF) [citation needed] |
| Brazilian jiu-jitsu | International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) |
| Bodyboarding | International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC) |
| Boot throwing | International Bootthrowing Association (IBTA)[47][48][49] |
| Bowls | Professional Bowls Association (PBA) |
| World Bowls (WB) | |
| Boxing | World Boxing, World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) |
| Broomball | International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA) |
| Cageball | Professional Cageball Association (PCA) [citation needed] |
| Card games (Gin Rummy, Guandan, Two Against One, Open Face Poker)[50] | Federation of Card Games (FCG) |
| Correspondence chess | International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) |
| Cricket | International Cricket Council (ICC) |
| Croquet | World Croquet Federation (WCF) |
| Crossminton | International Crossminton Organisation (ICO) |
| Debating | World Universities Debating Council (WUDC) |
| Debating (in Spanish) | Consejo Mundial de Debate (CMD) |
| eSports | Global Esports Federation (GEF) |
| Elephant polo | World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA)[51] |
| Floor tennis | World Floor Tennis Federation (WFTF) |
| Footvolley | International Footvolley Federation (FIFv)[52][53] |
| European Footvolley League (EFVL) | |
| Futnet / Football Tennis | Union Internationale de Futnet (UNIF) |
| Federation International de Footballtennis Association (FIFTA) | |
| Futsal | Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF) |
| Gateball | World Gateball Union (WGU) |
| Gillidanda | Gilli Danda International Federation (GDIF) |
| Gorodki | International Federation of Gorodki Sport (IFGS)[54] |
| Greyhound racing | World Greyhound Racing Federation (WGRF) [non-regulatory body] |
| Ground golf[55] | International Ground Golf Federation (IGGF) |
| Ham radio contesting, amateur radio direction finding, and high speed telegraphy / Radiosport | International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) |
| Handball / Wallball / One-wall handball | World Handball Council (WHC)[56] |
| World Wall Ball Association (WWBA)[57] | |
| Hapkido | World Hapkido Federation (WHF) |
| The World Hapkido General Federation[58][59] | |
| Hapkido boxing | Hapkido Boxing International Organization (HBIO)[60] |
| Harness horse racing | Harness Horsemen International (HHI) |
| Union Europeenne du Trot (European Trotting Union) (UET) | |
| Horseback archery | International Horseback Archery Alliance (IHAA) |
| Horse racing | International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) |
| Ice cross downhill | All Terrain Skate Cross Federation (ATSX) |
| Intercrosse | Fédération Internationale d'Inter-Crosse (FIIC)[61] |
| Jeu de paume and related ball games | International Ball game Confederation (CIJB) |
| Juggling | World Juggling Federation (WJF) |
| Kendo | World Kendo Association [citation needed] |
| Kickboxing | International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) |
| Kin-Ball | International Kin-Ball Sport Federation (FIKB/IKBF) |
| Kite sports | International Federation of Kitesports Organisations (IFKO) |
| Krav maga | International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) |
| Kung-Do | International Kung-Do Federation (IKDF) |
| Lethwei | World Lethwei Federation (WLF) |
| Land sailing | World Landsailing Organisation (FISLY) |
| Mahjong | Mahjong International League (MIL) |
| World Mahjong Organization (WMO) | |
| Mallakhamb | Mallakhamb Confederation of World (MCW)[62] |
| Vishwa Mallakhamb Federation (VMF) | |
| Minifootball | World Minifootball Federation (WMF) |
| Mixed martial arts | International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) |
| International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF) | |
| Modern Arnis | International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF) |
| Mountain running | World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) (associated with World Athletics) |
| Mountainboarding | International Mountainboard Association (IMA) |
| Muay Thai | World Muaythai Council (WMC) |
| Obstacle sports (O-sport) | World O-Sport Federation (WOF) |
| Othello | World Othello Federation (WOF) |
| Parkour | World Freerunning Parkour Federation (WFPF) |
| Pencak Silat | International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT) |
| Pickleball | International Pickleball Federation (IPF), World Pickleball Federation (WPF), Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), United Pickleball Federation of America (UPF-A) |
| Pitch and putt | Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations (FIPPA) |
| International Pitch and Putt Association (IPPA) | |
| Pogo stick | World Pogo Stick Federation (WPSF) [citation needed] |
| Puzzle | World Puzzle Federation (WPF) |
| Quidditch | International Quidditch Association (IQA) |
| Quizzing | International Quizzing Association (IQA) |
| Racketlon | Fédération Internationale de Racketlon (International Racketlon Federation) (FIR) |
| Radio-controlled car racing | International Federation of Model Auto Racing (IFMAR) |
| Real Tennis | International Real Tennis Professionals Association (IRTPA) |
| Renju | Renju International Federation (RIF) |
| Ringball | International Ringball Federation (IRF) |
| Ringette | International Ringette Federation (IRF) |
| Rogaining | International Rogaining Federation (IRF) |
| Roll Ball | International Roll Ball Federation (IRBF)[63] |
| Rope skipping | World Rope Skipping Confederation (WRSC)[64] |
| World Inter-School Rope Skipping Organisation
(WIRSO) | |
| International Rope Skipping Organisation (IRSO) | |
| World Rope Skipping Federation (WRSF) | |
| Roundnet | International Roundnet Federation (IRF) |
| Rubik's Cube | World Cube Association (WCA) |
| Scootering | International Scooter Federation (ISF) |
| Shooting sport | Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC) (English: International Shooting Federation of Hunting Sport Weapons)) |
| International Clay Target Shooting Federation (ICTSF) | |
| International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA) | |
| International Metallic Silhouette Shooting Union (IMSSU) | |
| International Precision Rifle Federation (IPRF) | |
| Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC) | |
| Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) | |
| Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) | |
| World Association PPC 1500 (WA1500) | |
| Shuttlecock | International Shuttlecock Federation (ISF) |
| Silambam | International Silambam Committee (ISC) |
| Skateboarding | World Skateboarding Federation (WSF) (separate from World Skate) |
| Skibobbing | International Skibob Federation (FISB) |
| Slot car racing | International Slot Racing Association (ISRA) |
| Socca | International Socca Federation (ISF) |
| Sport stacking | World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA) |
| Ssireum | World Ssireum Federation (WSF) |
| Stratego | International Stratego Federation (ISF) |
| Street and ball hockey | International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) |
| Sqay | International Council of Sqay (ICS) |
| Surf kayak | World Surf Kayak Association (WSKA) |
| Table hockey | International Table Hockey Federation (ITHF) |
| Tag | World Chase Tag |
| Tank biathlon | International Federation of Tank Biathlon (Международная федерация |
| Targetball | International Targetball Federation (ITF) |
| Tent pegging | International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) |
| Throwball | International Throwball Federation (ITF) |
| Touch football | Federation of International Touch (FIT) |
| Trail running | International Trail Running Association (ITRA) (associated with World Athletics) |
| Ukrainian National Wrestling on Belts | International Federation on Ukrainian National Wrestling on Belts |
| Ultra running | International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) (associated with World Athletics) |
| Unicycling | International Unicycling Federation (IUF) |
| Va'a | International Va'a Federation (IVF) (associated with International Canoe Federation (ICF)[65]) |
| Valari | International Valari Federation (IVF) |
| Virtual motorsport | Global Virtual Motorsport Association (GVMA) [citation needed] |
| Vovinam | International Vovinam Federation (IVF)[66] |
| Vovinam-VietVoDao World Federation (VVWF) | |
| VX (formerly Rock-It-Ball) | Global VX (formerly International Rock-It-Ball Federation (IRIBF)[67][68]) |
| Waveski surfing | World Waveski Surfing Association (WWSA) (associated with International Canoe Federation (ICF))) |
| Wheel gymnastics | International Wheel Gymnastics Federation (IRV) |
| Wingfoiling | Global Wingsports Association (GWA) |
| International Wing Sports Association (IWSA) (both associated with World Sailing[69]) | |
| Xiangqi | World Xiangqi Federation (WXF) |
| Yoga | Yogasports Confederation of World (YCW)[citation needed] |
| International Yoga Sports Federation (IYSF) |
Defunct
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| Bodyboarding | International Bodyboarding Association (IBA) |
| Rope Skipping | International Rope Skipping Federation (IRSF), World Jump Rope Federation (WJRF) (merged and formed IJRU) |
Miscellaneous
Sports governed by national associations
Certain sports are currently not governed by international federations, but rather by national associations.
| Sport | Federation |
|---|---|
| American handball | United States Handball Association (USHA) |
| Canadian five-pin bowling | Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers Association (C5PBA) |
| Gaelic football, Gaelic handball and hurling | Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) |
| Greyhound racing | American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA), Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) |
| Horseshoes | National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America (NHPA) |
| Paddleball | National Paddleball Association (NPA) |
| Pesäpallo (Finnish baseball) | Suomen Pesäpalloliitto Ry (Finnish Pesäpallo Association) |
| Pigeon racing | Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) |
| Rodeo | Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) |
| Rounders | Rounders England (formerly National Rounders Association (NRA)), Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) |
| Rugby fives | Rugby Fives Association (RFA) |
| Shinty | Camanachd Association |
See also
Notes and references
Further reading
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