The International Socca Federation (ISF) is a governing body for socca.[1]
This organization sets up the Socca World Cup, a world championship in socca, and more 5, 6, 7 or 8-sided tournaments for professional teams.[2]
History
Formation
The ISF was formed in late 2017 by small-sided football teams across Europe and the rest of the world. It was launched at a ceremony in Birmingham in February 2018, with guests of honour including World Cup and EURO referee Mark Clattenburg.[3][4] 51 countries invited to the launch.[5]
Eligibility criteria are minimal. Anyone who wants to run a national 6-a-side team in their country can register with the ISF if no such team already exists, subject to an approval process.[6]
Governance
The governance structure announced involves a number of top figures from the Socca world. Pakistani businessman Shahzeb Mehmood Trunkwala of World Group[7] was elected as Honorary Vice President, along with English solicitor and charity founder Tim Ollerenshaw.[8]
Greek businessman Thanos Papadopoulos[9] took over as CEO, and German events mogul Christoph Köchy[10] became Head Of Sponsorship.[11] Stuart Winton, a socca referee, was appointed tournament director.[12][13]
Ambassadors
Popular football figures were signed on to be ambassadors, led by Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho, who has played in socca exhibition games in Pakistan in summer 2017.[14][15] Other players that signed up to be ambassadors included Robert Pires and Ryan Giggs.[16]
In 2024, the second Socca EuroCup took place in Chișinău, Moldova. Kazakhstan won against Croatia.
Socca Champions League
The inaugural Socca Champions League tournament was held in October 2018 in Poreč, Croatia. Dynamik Toruń from Poland emerged as champions.[25] A second Champions League was held in Maribor, Slovenia in September 2019. Slovenian side ARKO Kljucarovci beat Dynamik Toruń 4–2 in overtime.[26]