The oldest precedent for the VIVA World Cup was first organised in 1988 in Japan.

Inauguration:

Back in April 2005, the NF Board came together and announced that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, had been chosen to host the inaugural VIVA World Cup. It would feature fellow NF Board member Sapmi and FIFA non-affiliate Nation Kosovo.

Controversy:

Around the same time as the VIVA World Cup being announced, there was a new government formed in the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation, thus they made themselves clear that they wanted to foster new relationships with other Nations. The NF Board claimed that the new system in the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation restricted teams going to the tournament in order to head off potential political arguments.

For their part, the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation claimed the NF Board made unreasonable financial demands. The NF Board, thus announced that the VIVA World Cup would be played in Occitania.

Occitania:

It was announced that the Cup would still go ahead and would be held between 19th and 25th November 2006 and the games would be held in Toulon. It was announced that teams participating would be reduced of 8, in anticipation of the ELF Cup, being held in Northern Cyprus as an alternative World Cup by the KTFF. Teams from Monaco, Romani, Sapmi, Southern Cameroon, West Papua and Occitania themselves would take part.

However, doubt would come to shadow the tournament again, with West Papua and Southern Cameroon failing to attend the pre World Cup assembly and Southern Cameroon, not making the trip altogether, thus all their games received walkovers. The games would consist of three teams and by the end of the week, Sapmi would be crowned Champions, having defeated Monaco 21-1 in the final.

Sapmi:

The second VIVA World Cup would be held in the Swedish town of Gallvare in Sapmi from the 7th to the 13th of July 2008. The matches would be played under the midnight sun, with 12 teams expressing interest to take part in the tournament. Five would ultimately come and take part. Padania would emerge as winners beating the Aramaen team 2-0. The hosts Sapmi would finish third.

The Women’s tournament would host two sides, Sapmi and Kurdistan. Sapmi would win.

Padania:

During the 2009 edition of the Viva World Cup, Padania in Northern Italy would host. Some important Stadiums in Northern Italy would help, by hosting some of the games. The final would itself, be played in Verona on 27th June. Padania would win 2-0 defeating Kurdistan.

Gozo:

For those of you reading this article, who do not know where Gozo is, it is one of the Maltese islands. Gozo would host the World Cup on artificial surfaces of the 2009/10 Champions Sannat Lions, at a Stadium with a capacity of 4,000. From the 31st May – 6th June, teams from Padania, Kurdistan, Provence, Occitania, Two Sicilies and Gozo would take part. Gozo and Padania would send women’s teams, while Tibet at the time was looking for sponsors, but failed to come.

Kurdistan:

The NF Board were in discussions with the Island Games Association and came to an agreement with the IGA to assist the NF Board. This was an attempt to bring together members and provide competition for its potential members. As a result, the fifth Viva World Cup would be held in 2012, with Kurdistan hosting.

This tournament would see the most participation of teams in an Non FIFA led tournament since its inception. The hosts would beat Northern Cyprus in the final.