Heather L. Dichter (editor) - Soccer Diplomacy: International Relations and Football since 1914 (Studies in Conflict, Diplomacy, and Peace)

Soccer Diplomacy

Soccer Diplomacy

International Relations and Football since 1914

Edited by Heather L. Dichter

Copyright 2020 by The University Press of Kentucky

Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,

serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre

College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,

The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,

Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University,

Morehead State University, Murray State University,

Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,

University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,

and Western Kentucky University.

All rights reserved.

Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky

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www.kentuckypress.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Dichter, Heather, editor.

Title: Soccer diplomacy : international relations and football since 1914 / Edited by Heather L. Dichter.

Description: Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, [2020] | Series: Studies in conflict, diplomacy, and peace | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020013205 | ISBN 9780813179513 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780813179537 (pdf) | ISBN 9780813179544 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: SoccerPolitical aspects. | SportsInternational cooperation. | Fdration internationale de football association.

Classification: LCC GV943.9.P65 S63 2020 | DDC 796.334dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020013205

This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting

the requirements of the American National Standard

for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.

Manufactured in the United States of America.

Contents

Heather L. Dichter

Sarah B. Snyder

Paul Dietschy

Juan Antonio Simn

George N. Kioussis

Brenda Elsey

Heather L. Dichter

Erik Nielsen

Chris Bolsmann

Roy McCree

Euclides de Freitas Couto and Alan Castellano Valente

Peter J. Beck

Abbreviations

Introduction

Heather L. Dichter

Soccer, football, ftbol, Fuball, or voetbalhowever the sport of association football is known locally, it is a universal language to millions of people across the globe. International soccers governing body, Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has over two hundred member statesmore than the United Nations. Soccer is often used as a marker of international legitimacy. One of the earliest acts that newly independent countries seek to accomplish on the international stage is to join FIFA. Ghanas independence in 1957 set off a wave of African decolonization, and the countrys application for FIFA membership shortly thereafter began a pattern, continuing to South Sudan and Kosovo most recently. South Sudan even marked its independence in 2011 with a soccer match, pitting its new national team against a Kenyan club. Although only a limited number of teams (soon to be increased to forty-eight) actually compete in the World Cup, nearly every member of FIFA participates in the qualification process. Not surprisingly, FIFAs World Cup is the most watched single-sport event in the world.