Following the UFWC at the World Cup

During the past month or so, over the course of the World Cup, the UFWC trophy has changed hands four times. Along the way I've managed to watch the drama unfold from three different continents as a nomadic football fan. Starting off in Hong Kong, where I watched the World Cup get underway, I then flew to London for the first weekend of the World Cup before watching the rest of it in South America. The adventure began in the first weekend of the World Cup, when Uruguay's surprise defeat to Costa Rica gave the Ticos the UFWC title, which they managed to take all the way to the quarter finals.

A beginner's guide to the UFWC

A Beginners Guide To The UFWC | Feature

Farewell Japan: 16 games as unofficial football world champions

Farewell Japan 16 Games As Unofficial Football World Champions | Feature

The Smallest Countries to Win (and try to win) the UFWC

As yesterday little San Marino and giants Italy met in the latest UFWC contest, our guest author <strong><a href="https://www.ufwc.co.uk/author/jonnyblair/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.ufwc.co.uk/author/jonnyblair/">Jonny Blair</a></strong> took some time (and effort!) to reflect on some relatively “smaller” countries who have contested, and even won the UFWC down the years! Did you know that more countries have been UFWC champions than World Cup winners? And it’s by 40. Officially, 9 geographical countries have won the FIFA World Cup. 49 FIFA recognised countries have won the UFWC.

North Korea 2-0 Philippines

North Korea 2-0 Philippines | Match Report - MAR, 2012

England vs Austria 1932

England 4-3 Austria 1932 | Classic Matches

Zimbabwe 2-0 Angola

And just like that Angola are unseated as UFWC top dogs after 9 months and 8 matches. Zimbabwe are the new champions, having won this explosive World Cup Qualifier in front of 45,000 fans with two second-half goals. Substitute Shingirai Kawondera struck the first from the edge of the box, before Benjani Mwaruwari headed in a cross from Joel Luphahla. Zimbabwe skipper Peter Ndlovu had a late header disallowed for offside. This was Zimbabwe's first win since October 2003, and it moves then to third in World Cup Qualifying Group Four.

Turkmenistan vs North Korea: AFC Challenge Cup Final

Turkmenistan Vs North Korea Afc Challenge Cup Final | Match Preview - MAR, 2012

Georgia 2-0 Uruguay

Schalke 04 midfielder Levan Kobiashvili was a two-goal hero as Georgia took the UFWC title from Uruguay in this home clash. Kobiashvili netted a penalty after 39 minutes to give his side the lead, and scored again after 55 minutes to double the advantage. Despite missing star man Shota Arveladze, Klaus Toppmöller's Georgian team held on for a fine victory.