United Passions (2015) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Robert Guérin established FIFA in 1904 because he wanted to create an international governing body for football. He was motivated by his frustration with the English football federation's refusal to join such an organization, and he believed football needed a unified global structure to grow the sport internationally.

Foreshadowing: Guérin's vision for a global football organization would eventually lead to the creation of the World Cup decades later.

• robert guérin
• fifa
• football governing body
• founder

Jules Rimet created the World Cup after his attempt to downplay Uruguay's victory at the 1924 Summer Olympics backfired and left FIFA unrecognized by the media. He realized that only a truly international tournament could give FIFA the visibility and prominence it needed within the football world.

Foreshadowing: Rimet's vision for a global tournament was seeded by this early public relations failure.

• jules rimet
• world cup
• fifa
• tournament creation
• 1924 olympics

Enrique Buero provided crucial financial backing to FIFA through a letter offering vital funding. This financial support enabled FIFA to finally host its first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay, which had otherwise seemed impossible due to funding constraints.

Foreshadowing: Buero's financial contribution directly enabled the first World Cup to take place.

• enrique buero
• financial backing
• world cup 1930
• funding

The 1942 and 1946 World Cups were cancelled because World War II devastated Europe and global travel became impossible. The war disrupted FIFA's operations and made organizing an international tournament unfeasible, halting the growth the organization had achieved in the 1930s.

Foreshadowing: The war's impact on FIFA demonstrates how global conflicts can interrupt sporting institutions.

• world war ii
• 1942 world cup
• 1946 world cup
• cancelled tournament

João Havelange became FIFA president by using modern lobbying tactics and extravagant travel to secure support among FIFA members. He took over when FIFA was thriving with new members worldwide and brought in substantial sponsorships to address a financial crisis the organization faced.

Foreshadowing: Havelange's expansionist approach would later contribute to corruption problems within FIFA.

• joão havelange
• fifa president
• sponsorship
• lobbying

Sepp Blatter became FIFA president because he had worked closely alongside Havelange throughout his tenure, serving as his reliable right-hand man. His capability and visibility during Havelange's presidency positioned him favorably for leadership when Havelange's era ended.

Foreshadowing: Blatter's rise set the stage for his controversial but dominant tenure.

• sepp blatter
• fifa president
• joão havelange
• succession

FIFA developed corruption issues beginning during João Havelange's expansionist reign as president. When Sepp Blatter took over, he faced the challenge of addressing this entrenched corruption, which had spread through various factions within the organization.

Foreshadowing: The corruption that took root under Havelange would become Blatter's biggest challenge.

• fifa corruption
• sepp blatter
• joão havelange
• scandal

In 2006, Sepp Blatter threatened to expose the corrupt dealings of officials who were conspiring against him to unseat him as president. This bold move forced the corrupt factions to align with his presidency or face accountability for their past misdeeds, allowing him to maintain control of FIFA.

Foreshadowing: Blatter's willingness to use blackmail as a political tool secured his position but did not resolve FIFA's underlying issues.

• 2006
• sepp blatter
• corruption
• threat
• conspiracy

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was significant because it represented hope and renewal for the sport, taking place in Africa for the first time. The announcement came at the end of Blatter's tenure and symbolized a positive moment amid the shadows of FIFA's corruption scandals.

Foreshadowing: The historic nature of hosting the World Cup in Africa was a major milestone for global football.

• 2010 world cup
• south africa
• fifa
• historic
• africa