Continental federations directory

This directory lists continental sport-specific federations corresponding to the sports covered in our competitions hub. These bodies connect national federations to world championships by running regional championships, qualifiers, and ranking circuits. They publish technical regulations, eligibility rules, calendars, and development programs for coaches and officials. Use this page to identify the correct continental authority for your sport and region, then follow its calendar and handbooks to plan entries and track pathways to the world stage.

Scope and conventions

Listings follow a five-continent plus Oceania layout where applicable. Some sports use combined Americas governance; others split North/Central America and South America. Where a continent is not shown for a sport, responsibilities may sit with national federations, sub-regional unions, or pan-continental bodies under the international federation. Always check the most recent qualification documents for your cycle, as quotas, formats, and tournament names can change.

At-a-glance: continental federations by sport

Football

Continental confederations run national-team championships, club competitions, and FIFA World Cup qualifying. They oversee refereeing pathways, club licensing, and disciplinary processes. Slot allocations for FIFA events are agreed with FIFA and applied through each confederation's format.

• UEFA (Europe)
• CONMEBOL (South America)
• CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean)
• AFC (Asia)
• CAF (Africa)
• OFC (Oceania)

Basketball

FIBA zones deliver qualification windows and continental championships for senior and youth categories, including 3x3 circuits tied to ranking systems. Event operations and officiating clinics align with FIBA technical regulations.

• FIBA Europe
• FIBA Americas
• FIBA Asia
• FIBA Africa
• FIBA Oceania

Volleyball

Continental bodies manage indoor and beach championships for national teams and, in some regions, club competitions. They also coordinate qualification to world events and publish technical handbooks covering venue standards, roster rules, and disciplinary codes.

• CEV (Europe)
• NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean)
• AVC (Asia)
• CAVB (Africa)
• CSV (South America)

Handball

Continental federations run elite and age-grade championships, club tournaments where established, and talent development programs. Their events feed into IHF world championships and Olympic qualifying criteria where relevant.

• EHF (Europe)
• NACHC (North America and the Caribbean)
• SCAHC (South and Central America)
• AHF (Asia)
• CAHB (Africa)
• OCHF (Oceania)

Rugby union

Regional unions administer fifteens and sevens championships, run promotion and relegation systems, and apply World Rugby eligibility and player welfare standards. Their competitions supply places or rankings toward Rugby World Cup and Sevens pathways.

• Rugby Europe
• Rugby Americas North (RAN)
• Sudamérica Rugby
• Asia Rugby
• Rugby Africa
• Oceania Rugby

Field hockey

Continental hockey bodies stage outdoor and indoor championships, club competitions in certain regions, and junior events. Outcomes influence FIH world championship and Olympic qualification or seeding where applicable.

• European Hockey Federation (EHF)
• Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF)
• Asian Hockey Federation (AHF)
• African Hockey Federation (AfHF)
• Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF)

Water sports (aquatics)

Aquatics federations run swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open water, water polo, and high diving championships. They coordinate technical officiating education and integrity programs in alignment with World Aquatics regulations.

• LEN (Europe)
• PanAm Aquatics
• Asian Aquatics
• Africa Aquatics
• Oceania Aquatics

Table tennis

Continental bodies manage senior and youth championships and route entries to ITTF world events. They also run development projects for emerging associations and enforce equipment and racket control policies at regional competitions.

• ETTU (Europe)
• ITTF Americas
• ATTU (Asia)
• ATTF (Africa)
• OTTF (Oceania)

Cycling

Cycling confederations sanction road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, and BMX championships with UCI Class status, awarding points that drive quotas and start order at world championships. Technical guides mirror UCI rules on equipment and event safety.

• UEC (Europe)
• COPACI (Americas)
• ACC (Asia)
• CAC (Africa)
• OCC (Oceania)

Golf

Continental golf bodies primarily focus on amateur structures that integrate with world rankings used by IGF for Olympic qualification. They also coordinate junior team events and rules education in partnership with national federations.

• EGA (Europe)
• South American Golf Federation
• APGC (Asia-Pacific)
• AGF (Africa)

Canoe and kayak

Paddle-sport confederations run sprint, slalom, marathon, wildwater, ocean racing, and canoe polo championships. Their results can grant quotas or ranking points toward ICF world championships, and their handbooks detail boat control, safety, and course standards.

• ECA (Europe)
• PA-Canoe (Americas)
• ACC (Asia)
• CAC (Africa)
• OCC (Oceania)

Rowing

European Rowing (ER) delivers a comprehensive calendar across senior, U23, junior, coastal, and beach sprint formats. In other regions, continental coverage is variable; national regattas and multi-sport games often function as recognized pathway events toward World Rowing quotas and entries.

• European Rowing (ER)

Equestrian

Continental equestrian bodies coordinate Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Endurance, Vaulting, and Driving championships under FEI rules. They support stewarding and judging development, and they validate Minimum Eligibility Requirements for riders and horses toward FEI World Championships and Olympic qualification where relevant.

• European Equestrian Federation (EEF)
• Pan American Equestrian Confederation (PAEC)
• Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF)

Related pages

World flagships by sport: /events/competitions/single-sport-world-championships/

International federations directory: /events/federations/international/