International governing body for association football teams unaffiliated with FIFA
The World Unity Football Alliance (WUFA) is an international governing body for association football teams that are not affiliated with FIFA, similar to but smaller than the older Confederation of Independent Football Associations. WUFA was founded in 2020 to oversee international competition among the non-FIFA affiliated associations in the world, the alliance of football associations does not have a centralised management structure.[1][2]
History
WUFA initially announced 9 founding members, and were joined by the Yorkshire International Football Association on 8 July.[3] Of the 18 members of WUFA, 11 are also members of CONIFA, Darfur left CONIFA prior to establishing WUFA, and Surrey were not a member of any federation prior to joining WUFA.[4][5] On 13 July 2020, WUFA announced a partnership with COSANFF – Consejo Sudamericano de Nuevas Federaciones de Fútbol, establishing an alliance.[6] 3 members, the Armenian Argentine Community, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Mapuche Nation later joined as members of the World Unity Football Alliance as well as the COSANFF.
On 12 September 2020, WUFA announced their first tournament, the World Series, scheduled for 2021.[7] On 6 April 2021, International Surrey Football announced it would host the first stage of the WUFA World Series, all 4 games were played behind closed doors due in part to local COVID restrictions imposed in the United Kingdom at the time. [8] On 7 July 2021, WUFA announced the Kashmir Football Association as its newest member. Kashmir was not previously a member of any non-FIFA organisation prior to joining WUFA.[9][10] On 29 June 2021, WUFA announced plans to organise the WUFA Women's World Unity Cup, its first major international tournament.[11] On 15 March 2022, the World Unity Football Alliance announced the election of its first General Secretary, President and founder of members International Surrey Football.[12]
