Hisshoeman

After the wine estate had undergone a thorough renovation lasting more than a month, Arthur moved in with the entire royal family.

The top floor of the former Government Building had been converted into the Cabinet offices, a conference room, and the Lower House chamber.

Only a few days after moving in, Arthur's estate received an unexpected guest: Hisshoeman from the Netherlands.

The man's name might not have been famous in history, but he played a remarkably important role in advancing the development of the World Football Association.

Hisshoeman was the secretary-general of the Dutch Football Association.

In the late nineteenth century, modern football gradually spread from Europe to countries around the world. In particularly developed nations, football had already evolved into a popular sport.

More and more people were willing to step onto those lush green fields in their spare time, experiencing a rush and excitement they had never felt before.

Even after football first entered the Olympic Games eight years earlier, a nation's success in football had, in a roundabout way, become a measure of its strength. Football associations began springing up across the world.

Yet as the secretary-general of the Dutch Football Association, Hisshoeman should have had nothing to do with Australia. After all, Australia currently had neither a football association nor a single football club.

Although filled with doubts, Arthur did not refuse to meet the guest. After all, Hisshoeman was one of the earliest advocates for establishing FIFA, and FIFA would not be founded for another four years.

What did FIFA represent? The World Cup created by FIFA would become one of the most popular sporting events in the world. Held once every four years, it attracted the attention of countless nations and people across the globe.

For a talent like this, it was worth winning his favor. After all, once FIFA was established in the future, Arthur might be able to rely on the goodwill he earned today to secure Australia the chance to host the World Cup.

Hosting such an event would greatly raise Australia's fame and appeal.

In the estate's reception room, Arthur was meeting the guest who had traveled such a long way.

Hisshoeman was an unremarkable-looking old man, but who would have thought that the Dutch Football Association he led, together with the French Football Association, would promote the establishment of FIFA, one of the world's most famous sports organizations?

"Good morning, Mr. Hisshoeman. May I ask why you have traveled thousands of miles to Australia? Is there something important?" Arthur asked with a smile.

"Your Grace, please allow me to explain my purpose. Football has undergone a long period of development in Europe, and I believe it is time to establish a unified worldwide football association to manage and coordinate the players and matches between the football associations of each country. However, most European countries do not share my view. Or rather, they have no intention of strongly supporting the establishment of FIFA." Hisshoeman was not surprised that Arthur knew his identity and spoke bluntly.

"So what? If the European countries disagree, you should persuade them. Australia has no ability to make all the European countries agree to jointly establish FIFA." Arthur smiled.

Although establishing FIFA appeared on the surface to be merely a matter for clubs and football associations, in reality, without the approval of the European governments, its establishment would be virtually impossible.

"Your Grace, the European countries are not opposed to establishing FIFA, but neither will they do anything for it." Hisshoeman gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Unless FIFA fixes the championship in their favor, they will not provide it with any financial support."

Football was an intensely competitive sport. Furthermore, after participating in two Olympic Games, every country had already begun taking it quite seriously.

Under such circumstances, if the newly established FIFA compromised by fixing the champion, its reputation could very well be ruined before it even got off the ground, and the organization might even dissolve in short order.

Hisshoeman was not foolish. Although he eagerly and desperately hoped for FIFA to be established, that did not mean FIFA had to yield to every force.

In reality, as the most authoritative and official organization in the future football industry, FIFA had to be impartial and fair.

Therefore, after discussing it with the French Football Association, Hisshoeman decided that they would each go out and look for countries willing to support FIFA without making too many demands.

"So you think Australia will support you?" Arthur understood the implication in Hisshoeman's words and asked with a light chuckle.

"Why not, Your Grace? If you are willing to support the establishment of FIFA, I can guarantee that Australia will have the right to host two international football competitions within thirty years." Hisshoeman smiled. "I believe Your Grace knows that football has already gained considerable influence in Europe. Even teams that win Olympic championships are celebrated by their entire nations. Under such circumstances, your country hosting an international competition would draw enormous attention from around the world. The revenue created by tourists alone might cover the cost. Your Grace could also use the momentum of hosting the competition to greatly increase your country's appeal to immigrants. You would only need to contribute a little money. With such a profitable deal, why would you not take it?"

Hisshoeman had an exceedingly sharp eye. He had identified Australia's need to make a name for itself internationally and increase its appeal to immigrants, and he kept tempting Arthur on that front.

In reality, the first World Cup was hosted by Uruguay, the reigning Olympic football champion at the time, and it attracted enormous attention across South America.

However, because time was short and funds were scarce, many teams did not participate in that World Cup, greatly reducing its influence.

That said, the World Cup was still a success. The stadiums were practically packed, and the Uruguayan authorities were even forced to deploy troops to maintain order.

If Australia could host a World Cup, then with sufficient time, it might well be able to greatly increase its influence on the international stage.

"Is that so? You are making me rather tempted." Arthur laughed heartily, but soon restrained his smile and said meaningfully, "If I support the establishment of FIFA, where will FIFA's headquarters be located?"

This was truly a fatal question. Looking at Arthur's faintly meaningful smile, Hisshoeman knew that if he said FIFA's headquarters would be established somewhere else, this meeting would probably come to an end.

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