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World Leagues Association

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The World Leagues Association (WLA), formerly known as World Leagues Forum (WLF), is an organization representing professional association football leagues that formed in 2016. It currently includes 50 member leagues from five of FIFA's six continental confederations.

History

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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 47 leagues[4] and holds annual meetings that are hosted by members.[5]

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 Nations League.[6][7][8] The WLF established a women's division in 2023, chaired by National Women's Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman.[9]

In June 2025, the organization was rebranded from the World Leagues Forum (WLF) to the World Leagues Association (WLA).[10]

Members

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As of May 2026, the WLF has 50 member leagues and associations from five continental confederations.[11]

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

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The World Leagues Association is governed by a Steering Committee composed of representatives and executives from top member leagues. Its current chairman is Richard Masters of Premier League. Its two vice chairmen are Don Garber of Major League Soccer and Luigi de Siervo, the CEO of Serie A.[14]

Its general secretary is Jerome Perlemuter, former General Counsel of the Ligue de Football Professionnel, who was appointed in April 2017.[15]

Management Board

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Member Position Role
England Richard Masters Chairman Chief executive of the Premier League
United States Don Garber Vice-Chair Commissioner of Major League Soccer
Italy Luigi de Siervo Vice-Chair CEO of Serie A
France Jerome Perlemuter General Secretary Former General Counsel of the Ligue de Football Professionnel
Source:[16]

List of chairs

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Chair Affiliation Term
England Richard Scudamore Premier League (Executive Chairman) 2016–2018
Germany Christian Seifert Deutsche Fußball Liga (CEO) 2018–2019
Mexico Enrique Bonilla Liga MX (Executive President) 2019–2022
England Richard Masters Premier League (Chief Executive) 2023–present

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Historic First Meeting of the World's Professional Leagues sets agenda for future" (Press release). European Leagues. 28 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Members". World Leagues Association. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Panja, Tariq (16 March 2018). "Soccer's Top Clubs and Leagues Push Back Against FIFA President". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  7. ↑ Marcotti, Gabriele (25 October 2018). "UEFA to walk out if FIFA forces vote on Club World Cup revamp - sources". ESPN. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  8. ↑ Evans, Simon (24 October 2018). "Infantino to ask for vote on new tournaments despite opposition". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  9. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (13 November 2023). "Big-time NWSL championship a sign of where the league can go". ESPN. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "World Leagues Association's Board meets in London to discuss the football calendar and the transfer system. Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A, elected Vice-Chair". World Leagues Association. 26 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Members". World Leagues Forum. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  12. ↑ World Associationof Professional Football Leagues
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "World Leagues Forum appoints Richard Masters as new Chair. Representatives for the "world social dialogue in football" also appointed at Annual Meeting". World Leagues Association. 19 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Jérôme Perlemuter nommé Secrétaire Général du World Leagues Forum" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  16. ↑ "Organisation". World Leagues Association.
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