Summary of Key Points
This article explores the centenary history of the World Cup, drawing on the perspectives offered by the new book "Power and Glory: A Global Cultural History of the World Cup." It discusses various aspects such as the transportation challenges faced by early participants, the impact of television broadcasting on the commercialization of football and the promotion of star players, controversial refereeing decisions, and technological advancements. The article highlights how the World Cup has evolved from a hastily organized minor event to a global cultural and commercial phenomenon.
1. Early World Cups: Long Journeys Hindered by Difficulties
When the World Cup was first established, the biggest issue was not technical or tactical aspects but rather how teams could actually make it to the matches. The inaugural tournament in 1930 took place in Uruguay, and European teams had to travel by ship for two weeks to reach South America; many teams simply refused to participate. Only three European teams—France, Belgium, and others—decided to brave the journey, sharing the same ship, the "Conte Verde," with FIFA President Jules Rimet. The Egyptian team faced an even more tragic fate: they were scheduled to travel together with the Yugoslav team but missed their boat due to a storm in the Mediterranean, resulting in their exclusion from the competition.
By 1934, when the World Cup was held in Italy, the defending champions Uruguay chose not to compete in Europe as a form of protest. During the 1938 tournament in France, Europe was on the brink of war, and six Central and North American teams withdrew, with only Cuba persevering and even making it to the quarterfinals. These details illustrate that the early World Cup was largely an exclusive event for wealthy nations, and poor transportation conditions significantly limited the number of participating teams, thereby reducing the quality of the matches.
The book also mentions a fascinating coincidence: the ship "Conte Verde" not only transported the World Cup teams but also carried the Chinese Olympic delegation in 1936 and later rescued 17,000 Jewish refugees to Shanghai during World War II, making it a true microcosm of global history.
2. Television Broadcasting: The Rise of Pele and the World Cup as a Money-Maker
The true global popularity of the World Cup can be attributed to television broadcasting. The 1958 tournament in Sweden was the first to feature live broadcasts, and Pele's two goals in the final helped Brazil win 5-2 against Sweden. The moment when his teammates lifted him onto their shoulders as they celebrated was broadcast around the world, solidifying his status as the "King of Football."
Chinese football fans were also greatly influenced by television. In 1978, CCTV aired the Argentina World Cup, with commentator Song Shixiong providing commentary from Hong Kong. Kevin, a longtime fan, still remembers the moment when Diego Maradona scored twice for Argentina, which influenced his fondness for that team. In 1982, CCTV spent $50,000 (equivalent to 120,000 RMB at the time) to acquire live broadcast rights, and most of the viewers who watched the matches for the first time became fans of the Italian team, which went on to win the championship.
Television broadcasting transformed the World Cup from a regional event into a global phenomenon. With a larger audience, sponsors were more willing to invest, and broadcast rights became increasingly valuable. Today, the World Cup generates billions of dollars solely from broadcast rights, thanks to television.
3. Controversial Refereeing Decisions: From Subjective Opinions to Technological Solutions
Throughout the history of the World Cup, referees have often been the scapegoats for controversial decisions. For example, in the first tournament, there was a bizarre incident where the referee stopped the match with six minutes left; the French team protested before play resumed. The 1966 final in England saw another controversial decision when a goal by Horst was ruled to have gone in when it clearly did not. Technological advancements have since helped improve fairness: the 2014 World Cup in Brazil introduced goal-line technology, and the 2016 tournament introduced VAR (Video Assistant Referees), significantly reducing the number of errors. Chinese referee Fu Ming will be using VAR at the 2026 World Cup, and other referees like Ma Ning also rely on this system to ensure more accurate judgments.
4. The Presence of Chinese Referees: More Than Just officiating
The participation of Chinese referees Ma Ning, Fu Ming, and Zhou Fei in the 2026 World Cup represents more than just serving their country; it also involves commercial opportunities. Social media platforms like REDnote have created personal accounts for them, and companies such as Mengniu, Hisense (a World Cup sponsor), and Lenovo (an FIFA technology partner) have collaborated with them to produce content. Fan Zhiyi even had a live chat with Ma Ning via social media. This indicates that Chinese companies are using the World Cup to enhance their presence globally, and Chinese referees have become a symbol of Chinese culture, showcasing the standards of Chinese refereeing while promoting their brands.
5. The Perspective of the New Book
Jonathan Wilson's "Power and Glory" goes beyond discussing football tactics; it places the World Cup within the context of global cultural history. By telling stories about the "Conte Verde" and linking the World Cup to events like the Olympics and World War II refugees, the book portrays it as a collection of human stories. This approach highlights that the World Cup is not just a football match but also a intersection of history, culture, and commerce.
In conclusion, the World Cup has evolved from a small, hastily organized event into a global cultural and commercial phenomenon, with television playing a pivotal role in its widespread popularity. Technological advancements have further improved the fairness of the games, and Chinese referees are now an important part of this international spectacle, representing China's influence on the world stage.