Event History
The World Cup 70 Plus tournament grew out of a small group of players over the age of 70 who met outside Tokyo, Japan for a tournament in 2017. At the time, there were very few opportunities for older players to participate in age-appropriate tournaments outside their own countries.
The teams from Japan, the US, and Denmark enjoyed the competition and the camaraderie so much that they decided the tournament should be held every year to support those playing veterans football around the world.
The result was an annual tournament with each year seeing new countries join in, enjoying the competition, and then expressing interest in hosting future tournaments.
Below is a short history of each year since its beginning and is evidence of the growing popularity and commitment of veteran players throughout the world.
2017 – Chiba, Japan
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.
2018 – AB Bagsvaerd, Denmark
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.
2019 – Osaka, Japan
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.
2020/2021 – Covid
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.
2022 – Roskilde, Denmark
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.
2023 – Chiang Mai, Thailand
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 5 – 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.
2024 – 6th World Cup, Cardiff, Wales, UK
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.
O70 Division had a total of 14 teams signed up 3 from England/Wales, 4 from Denmark, 1 from Germany, 5 from North America and 1 from Australia – unfortunately no teams from East Asia signed up. Teams from Europe – which did not come in 2023 to Chiang Mai Thailand to play – had 8 teams out of the 14 teams playing in the 5th 2022 Roskilde World Cup – and in 2024 Wales the 2 English and 1 Wales teams were much improved – dominated this division. Team Wales went to the finals against the best US team Freddy Fund and in a tight and well played final the game ended 1-1 at full time. In the penalty shootout the Wales team came out on top with a 4-2 win. The two teams from England advanced to the semi-finals and shared the bronze. In the plate final Roskilde beat FC Vancouver 4-2 on penalties.
O75 Division had a total of 12 teams – 3 from England/Wales, 3 from Denmark, 1 from Germany, 4 from USA and 1 from Australia (no teams from EA). Like O70 division, here again Wales and England dominated. In an exciting final, Wales faced England with the stadium full of loud and cheering spectators seeing England quickly dominating the 1st half scoring 3 great goals, but the Welsh woke up and clawed themselves back in the last minute to tie the match 3-3 – and then had to be decided on penalties. Where England in a tight penalty shootout came out 5-4 winners.
In the Cup Bronze final, improved Team Germany beat Copenhagen in a good 4-3 match.
The two top teams from USA, Golden State vs NC United, fought out the Plate final which Golden State coming out on top in a well-played 2-0 match.
What did we learn from the above. Wales the host and England both fielded their best National Sides, and arranged for coaches/trainers and practiced as teams several matches leading up to the World Cup games, and it obviously paid off.
2025 – 7th World Cup, Tokyo, Japan
Matches were held primarily at the Komazawa Olympic Park, featuring elite veteran squads from nations including Japan, Wales, the USA, England, Australia, Germany, and Taiwan.
The event featured intense physical demands, with teams playing multiple 60-minute matches over just three days in Tokyo’s high humidity.
The Over-70s division consisted of 12 teams playing 11-a-side on full-sized pitches. Over-75s & 80s categories featured smaller 8-a-side squads on half-sized pitches.
Japan was represented by several regional squads, including “Kizuna,” “West Japan,” and a “Tokyo” selection.
Over-70s Champions: Wales
Wales retained their world title for the second consecutive year. They achieved a remarkable clean sheet for the entire tournament, not conceding a single goal across six matches. In the final, they defeated a high-quality USA side (which included former MLS professionals) 2-0, with both goals scored by Graham Miles.
The Over-75s final saw high drama; while specific confirmation of the 2025 winner in this bracket is less widely publicised than the O70s, the England Over-75s entered as defending champions. Wales’ Over-75 team reached the semi-finals but was eliminated in a penalty shootout.
Atmosphere and Legacy
Players described the week as “brilliant but very demanding,” with the tournament noted for its high level of fitness and competitive spirit. The event served as a major showcase for the growth of veteran football globally.
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