Although not associated with FIIFA, the Virtual Football World Cup was controversially recognised by Occitania and Coria to be the most well-organised World Cup to date and these nations, alongside the DRF promoted the tournament over social media. The 2016 Micronations World Cup was deemed to be poorly organised by the DRF with constantly changing nations and so it was agreed that the Virtual Football World Cup 2016 would be the official tournament for Micronational Virtual Football in 2016, held in the Democratic Republic of Fairfax. This motion was seconded by Occitania with their approval in an official statement over their Twitter account on social media. From the conception of the tournament to the start of proceedings, the whole process took a fortnight and the 20 July marked the start of the tournament.
Initially, the competition was only designed for 8 teams, with the two qualifiers from each group reaching the semi-finals. However, due to popular demand and an increasing number of teams wishing to enter - the competition was extended to 16 teams; with the top 8 teams reaching the quarter-finals.
As the competition was only virtual it was deemed that only 1 host 'stadium' was necessary.
All 16 nations were agreed approximately one week in advance of the beginning of the competition. However, the Micronation of Tiroedda - despite being keen to participate in the tournament; had to withdraw due to presidential matters domestically. It was later understood that there had been a death in the Royal Family and great sympathy was extended to the President at the start of the tournament with the first fixtures holding one minute of silence. Despite this, U.E.G.G efficiently took their place in Group A.
The top two teams from each group qualify out of the group stages into the Knockout Phase. The table is arranged first by the total points for each club; then the Goal Difference and finally the Goals Scored. If these factors should be the same; then final positions will be determined on the two clubs head-to-head record in the tournament.
The winners of the Quarter Finals will progress through to the Semi-Finals, and then these winners will face each other in the Final.
There will also be a Third Place playoff.
Culture
Official First Virtual World Cup Stamp, Created by Padrhom
Even the nations who lost out at an early stage hailed the tournament as a success. Despite going out in the group stages, Bikini remained enthusiastic for the entire tournament whilst they were involved and in the subsequent rounds. Bikini delighted all of the fans from all of the nations by creating posters, which became widely advertised on social media throughout the tournament and many of the fans and competitors alike were disappointed when they went out in the group stages after losing their last game to Hortania.
One of Bikini's many posters advertising their fixtures in the World Cup
Also, Padrhom, as a gesture of goodwill, created an Official Stamp for the tournament; which was gifted to Fairfax as a mark of respect and gratitude. This helped to form a diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
In addition, all of the updates from the tournament, including results/tables/fixtures were posted onto the Official Fairfax social media account on twitter (DRF Official Twitter) which received a lot of compliments and interaction from nations involved in the tournament as well as those spectating. The updates received notable recognition from Babou Chkaya, the President of Occitania. This was beneficial for all nations to keep up-to-date with the proceedings of the tournament.
Only Fitberland had a real reason to feel let-down, after the tournament directors said after game 2 that they had reached the next round. However, because of a mathematical mistake on their part and a loss in their last game, they were devastatingly knocked out in the group stages. The directors were extremely apologetic for the mistake and they were forgiven by the nation; but it certainly marred the tournament events at the time.
Tournament Round-Up
The Group Stages were organised extremely well and the competition flowed smoothly, with every single one of the 16 teams picking up at least a point and Estini only performing the worst through their goal difference. Only two teams picked up 7 points, the hosts, Fairfax, and the California Republic. The hosts surprised all of the nations involved by performing so well in their first international tournament, after having not even prepared with a friendly. Hortania also performed particularly well, winning their group after having lost their first game, where they showed excellent character in the spirit of the competition to qualify and they certainly became one of the fan's favourites.
Notably, Coria also managed to scrape through qualifying on the same points and Goal Difference as Austrasie because of their better record in the tournament against them (Coria winning 2–1). Despite this; they managed to run very deep into the competition.
At the end of game 2, only one team was granted definite entry into the Quarter-Finals; Sorrenia. They had 6 points and because the second and third-placed teams were playing one another, they were guaranteed a place in the next round, where they eventually lost out to Fairfax in the Quarter Finals.
Making the semi-finals alongside the hosts, Occitania managed to outplay Con. Resistance and beat them 1–3, which came as a bit of a surprise as Con. Resistance had looked good in the group stages, and Occitania had only managed to come second in their group. Also, despite only just qualifying, Coria managed to beat Hortania 0–1 in a close encounter, with many of the home supporters cheering on their close ally. Finally, Padrhom filled up the semi-final quota, by beating the California Republic 0–1. This therefore made two of the semi-finalists of French origin.
The shock of the tournament happened during the semi-finals when the hosts were defeated 1–4 on their home turf to Padrhom in an almost completely one-sided match. By half-time, the fans were devastated and many left the game early in protest at the poor performance. However, Padrhom took advantage of the dismal play from the hosts and their fans were rocking at the final whistle. It appeared as though Fairfax didn't have the required composure to compete during the later stages of the tournament; being a new nation and new team. However, Padrhom, who were also in the same situation; seemed to play with no worries at all and ghosted through the hosts with tremendous football. In the other semi-final, Coria managed another game excellently, squeezing past Occitania 1-0 after extra time to reach the final.
The final was an extremely tight affair with Padrhom scoring the first goal in the opening five minutes of the game from a corner. However, this was to be the only sustained pressure that they would have all game; as a fantastic Coria knocked on the door and always challenged the defence of the opposition. Just before half time a whipped in cross was headed in by their star striker and the teams went into half-time all square. In the 66' minute, Padrhom's defences were breached again with a cutting ball straight into the middle of the box for the Coria striker to slot home with his second of the match. With minutes remaining Padrhom hit the crossbar with an excellent free kick but they could not score and the match ended 1–2 to Coria; the winners of the first ever Virtual Football World Cup.
Updated to games played on 22 July 2016. Source: [citation needed] Rules for classification:
1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round. Only applicable when the season is not finished: (Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Updated to games played on 22 July 2016. Source: [citation needed] Rules for classification:
1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round. Only applicable when the season is not finished: (Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Updated to games played on 22 July 2016. Source: [citation needed] Rules for classification:
1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round. Only applicable when the season is not finished: (Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Updated to games played on 22 July 2016. Source: [citation needed] Rules for classification:
1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round. Only applicable when the season is not finished: (Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Democratic Republic of Fairfax
Kingdom of Coria?file=UEGG.png/){kind=link}
Occitania
UEGG
Treg D'Trug
Hortania
Sorrenia
Bikini
San Marcos
California Republic
Coria
Austrasie
Nedland
Con. Resistance
Padrhom
Fitberland
Estini