THE FIFA World Cup has done all that is humanly possible to unite mankind. All hidden peoples all over the world have been made to become one family under the banner of football. The game has brought numerous benefits to the world.
The governing body of the world football has data on all affiliate countries numbering over 280, and all are given equal opportunity to be at the finals to enjoy all the available facilities. All continents on earth are empowered and given slots to be there.
Africa has five, South America has five, Asia has three, the Oceanic has two, the Americas have three and Europe has 14. In the recent 19th edition staged in South Africa, FIFA allowed Africa to be represented by six countries because the continent was hosting it. That was a special dispensation granted Africa and it is a situation that might be one case in a thousand.
Africa with over 50 countries has to undergo their eliminations series sieving the teams twice before reaching the final five. Europe has its method of elimination, and for South America, the situation is more difficult, but in the final analysis the five would emerge.
This year’s World Cup which was dubbed “Africa World Cup” attracted the best in Africa, Asia, and Europe, and the competition could be classified as the toughest. Although only one African country could cross to the quarter-final, and that country was Ghana, all indications point to the fact that Europe was triumphant as they ended up having three among the best four, and that credit goes to Netherlands, Spain and Germany.
Knowing how difficult it is to win the tournament when it developed from 16 to 24 and now 32, it is regarded as a blessing to be the final winners. The competition which started in 1930 has seen 18 winners.
The first winner of the tournament which was organized in Uruguay was won by the home team in their capital Monte Vedio. The second in 1934 was won by Italy in their home capital, Rome. That was the first time an African country, Egypt, was invited to take part. The next cup final was held in France, and it was won again by Italy.
In 1950, Brazil organized the tournament, and in front of their home crowd, Uruguay won the cup, and four years later it was the turn of West Germany to win it in Switzerland. In 1958, Brazil rose from the blue to claim the title in Sweden, and that marked the rise of 17-year-old Pele who scored two goals in the final 5 – 2 victory over the home team.
Brazil’s formula worked in 1962 in Chile, and they repeated their magic, and in spite of their form guide, they had to surrender to England who won it in London in 1966. Brazil rose again in 1970 to claim the cup in Mexico.
Germany lived up to their desire to host and win in 1974, and the next tournament which went to Argentina, the Argentines hosted and won comfortably with the rise of legendary Deogo Maradona. Spain hosted the next tournament, and it was claimed by Italy; they beat West Germany 3 – 1 in the grand finale.
Mexico took up the mantle in 1986 and once again Argentina won it. West Germany organized the next tournament and won it at home. In 1994 USA hosted it and Brazil worked to the final and won it, beating Italy on penalties. In 1998, France hosted it and won the cup beating strong Brazil 3 – 0 in the final.
The next tournament was hosted by Japan and South Korea, and Brazil travelled there to win their fifth title. In 2006, when Ghana had their first opportunity to be at the World Cup in a united Germany, the title went to Italy. They beat France on penalties. It has been a tortuous journey, and it takes guts, good preparation and strong character to win the World Cup.
To a lot of believers, it is a great blessing to win the whole World Cup!
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