FIFFA WORLD CUP This book does not only contain the exploits of the Ghana Black Stars at the FIFA level but also the genesis and history of FIFA FIFA only consisted of European Associations up until 1909. The first members from overseas joined in the following order: South Africa in 1909/1910, Argentina and Chile in 1912, USA in 1913. This was the start of FIFA's international activities. The long path towards full expansion had been sketched out. More Associations to Follow The start of the first World War (1914) caused a major interruption. And yet, all the international relations were not broken, even if they were only maintained on a small scale. Jules Rimet became 3rd President on 1 March 1921. FIFA became the life task of the then 48 year-old Frenchman. When he took over the world football federation, the latter which had been shaken by the World War I, counted 20 members. The British had left in unison and neither Brazil nor Uruguay were present. In the 33 years of his presidency, FIFA experienced an incredible upswing in spite of the World War II. One ought to talk about a "Jules Rimet Era" because he managed to reorganise FIFA and to materialise the dream of a World Cup. On passing on the reins of FIFA in 1954, when he opened his 5th World Cup in Switzerland, FIFA counted 85 members. The resonance at the Olympic Games intensified FlFA's wish for its own world championship. Following a remarkable proposal of the Executive Committee, the FIFA Congress in May 1928 decided to stage a world championship organised by FIFA. Now, the organising country had to be chosen. Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Hungary submitted their candidatures. Right from the start, Uruguay was the favourite for important reasons: The country of the twofold Olympic winner (in 1924 and 1928) was celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence in 1930 at great expense. The first World Cup was opened at the Centenary Stadium in Montevideo on 18 July 1930. A new epoch had begun for world football. Four years later, the "Father of the World-Cup" Jules Rimet saw his wish fulfilled, when the 3rd World Cup took place in France, his home country. Although Ghana has had a successful career as the most talented African soccer team with more than three championship titles in African soccer, her dream to qualify for the FIFA World Cup had always alluded her for several reasons. As you will see in the following pages Ghana had chalked very remarkable feat in African soccer but had never been able to make it to the FIFA World Cup . Finally here they come FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany having been ranked 48th. Yet Ghana upset the number 2 and number 5 FIFA ranked teams of Czechoslovakia and the USA in 2006. Not only does Ghana Black Stars qualify to leg 16 as the only African team left in the tournament but also the Black Stars would contain and shock Brazil, the All time World soccer lord's on Tuesday June 27. By qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Germany for the first time in in 2006, this small African nation has earned the respect and a reputation for the years to come. Watch out World