FIFA was founded in the back room of a Paris office — without the country that codified the game.
THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE FOUNDING
FIFA was created on 21 May 1904 in Paris by seven founding members; Spain was represented by Madrid FC (today Real Madrid); Germany joined by telegram the same day.
THE ABSENCE
England, with the oldest FA, cup and league, was invited and declined: the FA 'could not see the advantage'.
THE PATTERN
England joined in 1905, supplied FIFA's president from 1906, walked out after WW1 over playing wartime enemies, returned, and walked out again over broken-time compensation for amateurs.
THE COST
No England at the 1930, 1934 or 1938 World Cups. England rejoined in 1946 and played their first World Cup in 1950. FIFA now has 211 member associations; the UN has 193 member states.
MORE FROM FOUNDATIONS: INTERNATIONAL
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
The argument also lives in the YouTube comments ↗.