How many associations can a sovereign state have affiliated to FIFA?

A sovereign state can only have one association affiliated to FIFA. This is due to FIFA’s regulations which state that each member country is represented by a single association, ensuring uniformity in governance and accountability in football matters. The purpose of having only one association per country is to prevent conflicts of interest and to streamline the organization of football under one governing body within each nation.

While there might be various football associations or groups within a country that represent different interests or levels of the sport, only one of these can achieve the status of a FIFA-affiliated association. This approach upholds the integrity of competitive play and ensures that national teams are organized in a cohesive manner, thereby minimizing the potential for disputes arising from multiple governing bodies.

The other choices do not align with FIFA's regulations. Multiple associations or varying numbers would introduce complexity and potentially undermine the governance of football within the country. As such, the correct understanding is that a sovereign state can have only one association affiliated with FIFA, maintaining the governing structure's simplicity and effectiveness.