Four independent members

FIFA start without Home Nations So it was disastrous. In order to merge these unions, they were all offered to become independent members, rather than just the United Kingdom. This meant that the UK had not one vote in FIFA, but four. In the current membership of 211, this no longer matters, but at the beginning of the last century not even ten countries were affiliated with FIFA. Thus, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland gained enormous influence.

Then there was something else: FIFA recognized IFAB as the guardian of the rules of the game. Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland each got 12.5% ​​of this organisation’s vote, so half of the total. The other half was for FIFA itself. Since a rule change only occurs with at least 75% of the vote, FIFA is therefore unable to decide on this independently. The union always needs at least two supports for this Home Nations: 50% + 12.5% ​​+ 12.5%.

Under these circumstances, the four British associations actually joined FIFA between 1905 and 1911. The only thing that changed was that during the 1920s Ireland split into an independent nation and Northern Ireland, which still belonged to the United Kingdom.

This is why inland nations are crucial to changing the rules. This is why the Netherlands will play Wales tomorrow and not the UK. This is why Wales and England are in the same group for the next World Cup.

Photo Caption: 1988 World Cup Qualifier between the Netherlands and Wales. Photo: Kroos, Rob C/Anivo, USA TODAY National Archives.