New Football Federations-Board

New Football Federations-Board

Introduction

Before I begin writing on this organization I said that there would be a few exceptions to the I would want Liberland to join/ratify everything on the list from 1-40 immediately. Well this is one that doesn’t necessarily need to be joined immediately or maybe not at all. I include them though because they do pass the benchmarks I have laid out and it would be fun I think to have a Liberland National Team possibly if there are enough people who would want to participate in something like federation football.

The N.F.-Board (Nouvelle Fédération-Board), an organization dedicated to fostering football for unrecognized states, micronations, minorities, stateless peoples, and regions outside FIFA’s umbrella, represents a beacon of inclusivity and self-determination in global sports. In a world where traditional federations like FIFA exclude entities based on political recognition, the N.F.-Board empowers marginalized communities to compete on equal footing, aligning perfectly with Liberland’s principles of voluntary association, decentralization, and non-aggressive competition. With its focus on “non-FIFA” teams—ranging from indigenous groups to micronations—the board organizes events like the Viva World Cup, providing platforms for cultural exchange and athletic expression free from geopolitical barriers.

The imperative for Liberland to affiliate is clear: as a microstate aspiring to global visibility, joining the N.F.-Board would enable a national team to participate in international tournaments, building community spirit and attracting sports enthusiasts. Recent developments highlight its relevance: Despite a history of challenges, the board announced a revival in 2017 and, in February 2024, planned the 2025 Mixed Viva World Cup (a gender-mixed format with blended rules), though it was later cancelled for undisclosed reasons. On January 18, 2025, it revealed ambitions for the 2026 Viva World Cup (for non-FIFA UN countries) and 2028 edition (for islands and archipelagos), signaling ongoing efforts to reclaim its role. Affiliation—via application as a listed association—costs little and offers high returns in visibility, especially amid CONIFA’s dominance since 2013. For a society valuing consent and polycentric governance, this board counters exclusionary systems, promoting liberty through sport. Ratification-equivalent would amplify our voice, foster alliances with similar entities, and underscore our commitment to peaceful, decentralized global engagement. In 2025, with non-FIFA football gaining traction, joining now positions Liberland as a proactive participant in this niche yet vibrant arena.

Summary

Founded on December 12, 2003, in Brussels by Christian Michelis and others, the N.F.-Board initially thrived as a platform for non-FIFA football, organizing Viva World Cups from 2006 to 2012 (e.g., 2006 in Hyères, France; 2012 in Kurdistan). It peaked with events for teams like Sápmi, Provence, and Kurdistan, emphasizing cultural and athletic inclusion for unrecognized entities. However, financial scandals during the 2012 Cup led to Michelis’s suspension, the board’s collapse in 2013, and the emergence of CONIFA as a rival, which issued a cease-and-desist for defamation.

A revival was announced on May 6, 2017, under President David Aranda (since 2016), headquartered in Saint-Christophe-et-le-Laris, France. Membership was abolished that year, leaving zero official members, but the website lists various associated, withdrawn, historical, and other teams (e.g., Padania, Provence, Sápmi, Tamil Eelam, West Papua). Some listings are disputed, like Yap and Pohnpei, which denied affiliation. The board affiliates with the World Football Observatory and maintains a trilingual site (French, English, Spanish).

Recent activities in 2024–2025 include the February 1, 2024, announcement of the 2025 Mixed Viva World Cup in Drôme de Collines, France (cancelled), and January 18, 2025, plans for the 2026 Viva World Cup (non-FIFA UN countries) and 2028 (non-FIFA islands/archipelagos), with locations TBD. No tournaments have been held since revival, and relations with CONIFA remain tense, with the N.F.-Board positioning itself as the original leader. For libertarians, its voluntary, decentralized structure—without binding rules or enforcement—exemplifies bottom-up organization for excluded communities.

Inner Content

Individual Liberty (8/10)
The N.F.-Board’s 8 in individual liberty stems from its empowerment of athletes from marginalized groups to participate in sports freely, bypassing FIFA’s recognition requirements that often tie to state politics. By organizing events like the planned 2025 Mixed Viva Cup, it fosters personal expression and cultural identity through voluntary competition, aligning with self-determination.

Deduction for limited scale post-revival, potentially restricting access. For Liberland, it liberates our team to compete globally.

Minimal Government (8/10)
An 8 in minimal government, as the board operates without state backing or mandates, relying on voluntary affiliations and no enforcement powers. Its post-2017 structure—abolishing formal membership—minimizes hierarchy.

Slight deduction for past financial issues hinting at governance lapses.

Free Markets (9/10)
9 for enabling grassroots sports economies, from sponsorships to tourism around events like Viva Cups.

Non-Aggression (8/10)
8 for peaceful, inclusive competitions promoting unity among diverse groups.

Decentralization (9/10)
9 reflecting its focus on regional and micronational teams, with bottom-up event planning.

Feasibility (9/10)
9: Easy affiliation via website listing, low barriers despite revival challenges.

Citizen Consent (9/10)
9 for opt-in participation, with events based on community interest.

Conclusion

Affiliating with the N.F.-Board would invigorate Liberland’s cultural and athletic landscape, capitalizing on its 61/70 score to join a network of like-minded entities in non-FIFA football. Despite revival hurdles and the cancelled 2025 Cup, its 2026/2028 ambitions offer opportunities for our team to shine, building solidarity and visibility. This voluntary platform embodies decentralization and inclusion, perfect for our libertarian ethos. Let’s engage now, scoring goals for global recognition.