History

The inaugural World Cup 70Plus in Japan saw teams including Georgia United 70+ (led by Yasuo Matsuzawa), NC United (under Kim Bergenser), and AB Copenhagen (managed by John Andersen) participating.

Hosted in Ichihara, Chiba province, just outside Tokyo, the tournament featured several top-notch grass pitches. NC United, after a 4-0 loss in their opening game, bounced back to win the next three matches, securing a spot in the final.

In a gripping finale, NC United triumphed over the formidable Akabane Tokyo team in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

The 2018 World Cup 70Plus was organized by the AB club at their top-tier sports complex in Bagsvaerd, located just outside Copenhagen. This event featured twelve teams, with international participants like West Japan, Kizuna Tokyo, Georgia United, and NC United, alongside eight Danish teams. In the finals, West Japan emerged victorious, defeating Broenshoej Copenhagen.

Following their triumph in the 2018 World Cup 70Plus, West Japan hosted the 2019 edition in Osaka, Japan. The tournament welcomed teams like Georgia United and NC United from the United States, AB Copenhagen and Roskilde FC from Denmark, the Taiwan Peacocks, along with seven Japanese teams. The final saw a skillful showdown between NC United and Roskilde, with NC United securing a 2-0 victory, aided by a largely injury-free squad.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, both the 2020 and 2021 World Cup 70Plus tournaments were cancelled. Travel restrictions and health concerns made it impossible to organize international tournaments safely during this period.

Many teams used this time to regroup and prepare for future tournaments, maintaining fitness and team spirit through local training sessions and smaller regional matches where possible.

The football community eagerly anticipated the return of international competition once global conditions improved.

At the fourth World Cup 70Plus held in Roskilde, Denmark, a new 75+ division was introduced, making it the largest edition so far with 25 teams participating.

This year marked the first participation of teams from England, Wales, and Germany. The United States was represented by West Coast United, Georgia United, Connecticut United, and NC United, with the latter fielding two teams in both the 70+ and 75+ divisions – a record for a single club.

Despite COVID travel restrictions preventing Far Eastern teams from attending, a record 10 Danish teams participated.

In the 70+ division, host team Roskilde FC faced the new entrant Connecticut United in the finals, with Connecticut securing a 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, in the 75+ division, B93 Copenhagen triumphed over Roskilde with a similar 2-1 scoreline in the finals.

After the very well-organized 4th World Cup in Roskilde, Denmark, first Germany and then England offered to host the 2023 tournament, but neither could get the required support from their local FIFA organization and had to withdraw. The three-person team of Tom Mailhot and Kim Bergenser in the US and Tony Sitachitta in Thailand quickly stepped in to organize the 2023 World Cup in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Organizing a Thailand tournament from the US was a new challenge, but challenge was met with the 70+ division ending up with 8 teams including Kizuna Tokyo, West Japan, Team Taiwan, a new Team Australia, as well as three US teams (CT United, NC United, and GA United) and the home Team Thailand. The 75+ division had 6 teams including Golden State Azzurri CA, NC United, a combined US/AUS team named Aloha United, and 3 local Thai teams. Unfortunately, none of the teams from Europe were able to make the trip to Thailand.

The 5th World Cup was again dominated by US teams. In the 70+ division NC United and CT United (who played a tight 2 – 2 match in the round robin) met again in the final where the stronger CT team prevailed with a 6 – 1 win. Team Australia beat Team Taiwan 7 – 6 in penalty kicks to win the Bronze. In the 75+ division NC United and the Azzurri met in the final with the Azzurri avenging an earlier 3 – 0 loss in the round robin by beating NC United 3 -2 to take the Gold. Nakorn Ping from Thailand beat Aloha United for the Bronze.

We had a total of 175 players register to play in the tournament and over 230 players, spouses, and guests attended a well organized tournament party the evening of the last day. The tournament party included the awarding of the medals and trophies as well as the now traditional team talent show.

Picture of O70 CT (CONNETICUT) UNITED (in White) & NC (NORTH CAROLINA) UNITED (in Black) World Cup final teams:

Congratulations goes to their two team captains CT's "Turk" Tashin Karasay standing 9th from the left and Tom Mailhot in the mid row right of "Turk" for bringing two strong team all the way to play in Thailand.

The 5 of the remaining 6 teams all had a change to play for the Bronze – where Australia prevailed ahead of Team Taiwan.

75+ Division

NC United in black and Golden State Azzuris CA continued their rivalry – as since 2021 they have faced each other 5 times – and GSA always came out on top.

NC won all their 5 division games incl. a 3-0 over GSA – as well as their semi finals – but in the final Golden State on a too small and too wet/muddy field overcame NC in a tight match 3-2 for the championship.

Aloha United got bronze. Again kudos goes to manager of the GSA team Jiri Stepan, and Kim Bergenser of the NC.

The 2024 World Cup 70Plus marked the first time the tournament was held in Wales, with Cardiff serving as the host city. The Welsh organization brought their unique Celtic hospitality to the event, creating a memorable experience for all participating teams.

Teams from multiple continents gathered in Cardiff to compete in both the 70+ and 75+ divisions. The tournament featured excellent facilities and showcased the beautiful Welsh countryside alongside competitive football.

The event continued the tradition of international friendship and sportsmanship that has made the World Cup 70Plus a beloved tournament in the senior football community.