Chilean Football Enters New Governance Era Following FFCh and ANFP Separation
Chilean football is undergoing a fundamental structural shift. Following a pivotal legal reform in March 2026, the landscape of the sport’s administration in the country has been redrawn, establishing a definitive separation between the Federación de Fútbol de Chile (FFCh) and the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP).
This divorce of duties is the result of the approved reform to the Ley de Sociedades Anónimas Deportivas Profesionales, a move designed to clarify the lines of authority and operation between the national federation and the body that manages professional club competitions. For years, the two entities operated with a high degree of linkage, but the new legal framework mandates a distinct operational boundary.
Defining the New Divide: FFCh vs. ANFP
To understand why this separation matters, one must look at the sprawling responsibilities of the ANFP. Based in Santiago, the ANFP serves as the organizational engine for professional football in Chile. It currently acts as the governing body for three primary tiers of competition: the Primera División, Primera B, and the Segunda División Profesional.
Under the current 2026 structure, the ANFP oversees a total of 46 associate clubs—16 in the top flight, 16 in Primera B, and 14 in the Segunda División Profesional. The organization also manages the official Primera División for women’s football, a league established back in 2008 to professionalize the women’s game.
Even as the ANFP handles the grit and grind of the professional league calendars, the Federación de Fútbol de Chile (FFCh) maintains the overarching relationship with global and continental authorities. Through the federation, Chile remains affiliated with FIFA and CONMEBOL, ensuring the national teams adhere to the statutes and rules promulgated by the International Board F.A. It also maintains the critical link to the Olympic Committee of Chile (COCh).
Reporter’s Note: In simple terms, the ANFP is now the “league manager,” while the FFCh acts as the “national representative” to the world of football.
Leadership and Global Ambitions
Pablo Milad continues to serve as President during this transition. His leadership comes at a time when Chile is aggressively eyeing the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The focus is not just on the senior squad, but on the technical standards of the game’s officials.
Recent reports from the ANFP confirm that Cristián Garay will lead the Chilean officiating contingent at the FIFA World Cup 2026. He is joined by a national refereeing team that includes José Retamal, Miguel Rocha, and Juan Lara. This presence on the world stage is a key metric for the federation as it seeks to elevate the prestige of Chilean football internationally.
Investing in the Pipeline
While the boardroom undergoes a legal metamorphosis, the work on the pitch remains constant. The CAR José Sulantay has turn into a hub for the next generation of talent, recently hosting microcycles of work for the Under-15 and Under-16 national teams.
The Under-17 squad has also been active in the Sudamericano, recording a significant victory against Paraguay and a draw in their opening match. These youth developments are critical, as the separation of the FFCh and ANFP is intended to create a more streamlined environment where youth development and professional league management can flourish without administrative overlap.
Governance by the Numbers
The scale of the current professional ecosystem managed by the ANFP highlights the complexity of the transition:
- Total Professional Clubs: 46
- Primera División: 16 clubs
- Primera B: 16 clubs
- Segunda División Profesional: 14 clubs
- Women’s Primera División: Established 2008
What This Means for the Future
The separation of the FFCh and ANFP is more than a bureaucratic adjustment; it is a move toward modernizing sports governance. By isolating the professional league’s commercial and operational needs from the federation’s diplomatic and national team duties, Chile aims to avoid the conflicts of interest that often plague national football associations.
For the clubs, this means a more direct line of governance through the ANFP, which continues to exercise sports and correctional supervision over all member clubs. For the fans, the hope is that a more efficient administration will translate to better league stability and a more competitive national team.
The next major milestone for the organization will be the continued integration of the new legal frameworks as the country prepares for the 2026 World Cup cycle. Official updates regarding the implementation of the Ley de Sociedades Anónimas Deportivas Profesionales are expected to follow as the new governance structure settles.
Join the conversation: Do you think separating the federation from the professional league will improve the quality of Chilean football? Let us know in the comments.
