National member federations in over 100 countries represent their athletes and communities in the FISO Congress and propose and vote on policies and rules for their benefit. The Congress and Executive Committee are responsible for taking the main decisions for the organisation and implement recommendations for each sport.

Founded in 2014, formalized in 2018, and recognized as a GAISF Observer in 2021, FISO is a democratic non-profit association of national member associations providing recognition, representation, policies, and guidelines, for safety, fairness, development, and events for obstacle sport enthusiasts and athletes at every level.

The 11th FISO Congress voted in 2025 to approve the proposed model for integration of FISO into the Union Internationale Pentathlon Modern (UIPM), achieving an important step toward unification of obstacle sports throughout the world within the Olympic movement.