Europe losing ground in international sports politics

Europe’s influence in international sports politics is declining, while other parts of the world are strengthening their positions. This is shown in the 2025 edition of the Danish Sports Confederation’s (DIF) Sports Political Power Barometer.

The study shows that Asia, Africa, Oceania, as well as North and South America have all increased their influence in international sports organizations. Europe is thus the only continent experiencing a decline.

The Power Barometer analyzes the political and administrative composition of 130 global and European sports organizations and ranks countries according to their influence in sports politics. The analysis has been published every two years since 2013.

According to DIF Chairman Hans Natorp, the development underlines the need for Denmark to increasingly seek cooperation outside Europe.

“The development highlights the importance of Denmark working to create new alliances beyond Europe’s borders if we are to advance our agendas on the global stage,” he says.

In DIF’s international strategy, Africa, Asia, and South America are identified as particularly relevant partners, including in relation to sustainability and innovation.

Hans Natorp also emphasizes that Europe is still overrepresented in international sports politics, but that a rebalancing is underway.

“It is important that we maintain and nurture our traditional alliances in Northern Europe, but we must also engage in dialogue with countries that do not necessarily resemble us if we are to continue influencing decisions and shaping developments,” he says.

In the latest assessment, Denmark has moved up one place and is now ranked 35th globally, compared to 36th in 2023. However, this is still some way from the country’s best ranking, which was 21st in 2019.

According to the DIF chairman, strengthening Denmark’s position requires increased strategic efforts, including the development of new sports policy talents.

At the same time, the Power Barometer shows a significant decline for Russia, which has dropped 16 places and is now ranked 31st. Hans Natorp assesses that Europe’s previously strong influence has contributed to Russia’s exclusion from several international sports bodies, but that the declining European influence is part of the explanation for why Russia is gradually regaining access to international forums.