Created and designated directly by the Statutes—not by a recurring election. The Statutes identify Joel Ruiz Zenteno as the first and only holder.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE · STA / ART-21–22
ONE TEMPORARY OFFICE FOR THE FOUNDING TRANSITION.
The Founder President exists to build, launch, organise and stabilise WUFO during its Embryonic and Foundational Periods. The office may lead, represent and execute only within an authorised mandate; it does not replace the Congresses, Football Councils or independent bodies.
1
FIRST AND ONLYJOEL RUIZ ZENTENOInternational Relations · Université de Sherbrooke · University of Hertfordshire
FIRST AND ONLYJOEL RUIZ ZENTENOInternational Relations · Université de Sherbrooke · University of Hertfordshire
The office operates from WUFO’s legal incorporation throughout the Embryonic Period and the complete initial Foundational Period.
The twelve-year Foundational Period begins only when the 50th Member completes a valid Founding Accession. The preceding Embryonic Period does not reduce it.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE
FOUR VERBS DEFINE THE MISSION
The office exists for institutional construction—not permanent control.
Put the constitutional organs, administrative capacity and legal foundations into working form.
Activate WUFO responsibly as sporting, organisational and operational capacity becomes real.
Coordinate the initial institutions, meetings, administration and authorised implementation.
Protect continuity while the permanent collegiate governance architecture becomes fully operational.
THE LIFE OF THE OFFICE
A FIXED TRANSITION—NOT A PERMANENT PRESIDENCY
The office is constitutional, temporary and incapable of renewal.
Founder Presidency begins operating.
Membership and institutions are assembled.
The full twelve-year clock starts.
Build, launch, organise and stabilise.
The Presidential Body assumes representation.
AUTHORITY AND CONSTRAINT
A STRONG MANDATE WITH HARD CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS
Every power remains tied to the Statutes, a valid institutional decision or an express delegation.
WHAT THE OFFICE MAY DO
- Provide institutional leadership during the founding transition.
- Represent WUFO legally, publicly and internationally within granted authority.
- Propose policies, reforms, projects and institutional solutions.
- Coordinate the initial construction of WUFO’s institutions.
- Supervise central administration during the two founding periods.
- Execute decisions lawfully adopted by the competent organ.
- Convene and organise authorised institutional meetings.
- Communicate, negotiate and implement administrative acts under a valid mandate.
WHAT THE OFFICE MAY NEVER DO
- Replace either Congress or exercise powers reserved to it.
- Replace the Men’s or Women’s Football Council.
- Amend the Statutes unilaterally or use a fast-track procedure.
- Conclude a material agreement without a valid institutional mandate.
- Interfere with audit, judicial, disciplinary, electoral, anti-doping or integrity bodies.
- Treat WUFO, its assets or Member votes as personal property.
- Claim a personal Congress vote merely by holding office.
- Appoint a successor, renew the office or recreate it under another name.
IF THE FOUNDER PRESIDENT LEAVES EARLY
The Founder Presidency ends immediately and permanently. The Presidential Body activates at once; there is no acting, interim or replacement Founder President. The original twelve-year period continues only for the remaining transitional rules.
NO VACANCY · NO SUBSTITUTE · NO SECOND FOUNDER PRESIDENTAT THE END OF THE TWELVE YEARS
The office ceases to exist automatically. A historical title such as Founder or Founder Emeritus may remain, but it creates no vote, veto, executive authority, permanent salary, ownership right or power to appoint future leaders.
THE OFFICE ENDS · THE PERMANENT SYSTEM CONTINUES