Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Goal of FIFA membership sets up new soccer politics problem

GENEVA (AP) Despite FIFA's ongoing image crisis fueled by corruption cases, membership of the organization remains a goal being pursued with passion.

Still, joining soccer's world body - gaining entry to World Cup qualifying and million-dollar FIFA funding - can create new political problems on and off the field, including for players.

On Friday, the 209 national soccer federations who make up FIFA should add two more members at a meeting in Mexico City.

Kosovo and Gibraltar can expect to join the club, and then be fast-tracked into the 2018 World Cup qualifying groups which kick off in September.