World Leagues Forum

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The World Leagues Forum (WLF) is an organization representing professional association football leagues that formed in 2016. It currently includes 44 members from five of FIFA's six continental confederations.

History[edit]

Executives and representatives from 24 professional football leagues convened the Global Leagues Forum in April 2015 to discuss current issues with the football system and business as a whole.[1] The World Leagues Forum was formed in early 2016 in preparation for the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress, in which a new FIFA president would be elected. It convened its first meeting on 25 February 2016, in Zürich before the FIFA Congress.[2][3] The WLF initially comprised 24 member football leagues,[2] but has since expanded to 41 leagues and holds annual meetings that are hosted by members.[4]

In 2018, the group voiced its opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to expand the FIFA Club World Cup and implement a global club league.[5][6]

Members[edit]

As of 2024, the WLF has 45 member leagues and associations from five continental confederations.[7][8]

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)


South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

Governance[edit]

The World Leagues Forum is governed by a Steering Committee composed of representatives and executives from top member leagues. Its current chairman is Enrique Bonilla of Liga MX. Its two vice chairmen are Don Garber of Major League Soccer and Christian Seifert, the CEO of the Deutsche Fußball Liga.[11]

Its general secretary is Jerome Perlemuter, former General Counsel of the French Football League, who was appointed in April 2017.[12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Historic First Meeting of the World's Professional Leagues sets agenda for future" (Press release). European Leagues. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "The World Leagues Forum Goes Public" (Press release). World Leagues Forum. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  3. ^ "WLF macht der Fifa Konkurrenz" [WLF made into FIFA competitor]. Der Spiegel (in German). 25 February 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  4. ^ Migliaccio, Val (4 May 2018). "A-League set to join World Leagues Forum in a move to fast track independence from Football Federation Australia". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  5. ^ Panja, Tariq (16 March 2018). "Soccer's Top Clubs and Leagues Push Back Against FIFA President". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  6. ^ Marcotti, Gabriele (25 October 2018). "UEFA to walk out if FIFA forces vote on Club World Cup revamp - sources". ESPN. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Members". World Leagues Forum. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  8. ^ Evans, Simon (24 October 2018). "Infantino to ask for vote on new tournaments despite opposition". Reuters. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  9. ^ World Associationof Professional Football Leagues
  10. ^ "Ligová fotbalová asociace se stala členem organizace World Leagues Forum". sport.cz (in Czech). Borgis. Czech News Agency. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  11. ^ "MLS Commissioner Don Garber appointed Vice-Chairman of World Leagues Forum". MLSsoccer.com. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  12. ^ "Jérôme Perlemuter nommé Secrétaire Général du World Leagues Forum" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 24 January 2019.

External links[edit]

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