UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, is the governing body of football in Europe and one of FIFA’s six continental confederations. It represents 55 national football associations and works to develop, organise and safeguard football across the continent. UEFA was officially founded on 15 June 1954 in Basel, Switzerland, following efforts by European football administrators to create a united organisation capable of promoting cooperation, solidarity and development within European football. UEFA’s responsibilities extend across the professional and grassroots game. Its administration manages the day-to-day operation of the organisation, implements decisions of the UEFA Congress and Executive Committee, works with member associations and football stakeholders, and organises and markets major European competitions. UEFA also reinvests revenue into football development and operates programmes covering areas such as coaching, refereeing, technical development, integrity, sustainability and social responsibility. The organisation is best known globally for administering major competitions including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Women's Champions League, UEFA European Championship and UEFA Nations League, alongside numerous youth and women's competitions. Its activities also include the development of European national-team football, club competitions, referee education and technical standards. UEFA's headquarters are located at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, where its administration has been based since the headquarters officially opened in 1999. UEFA operates as a representative democratic organisation, with the UEFA Congress serving as its supreme controlling organ and the Executive Committee as its supreme executive body. The organisation's stated objectives include promoting football in a spirit of unity, solidarity, peace, understanding and fair play, while protecting the values and development of the European game. In addition to its sporting responsibilities, UEFA has developed extensive digital, commercial and social-impact operations, supporting the continued growth and visibility of European football at elite, grassroots and community levels. Its current corporate presence includes a workforce classified by LinkedIn at 501–1,000 employees, reflecting the scale of its competitions, administration and football-development activities.