Louis Muhlinghaus (1870–1915) was a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

football administrator and the 1st General Secretary of FIFA, serving from 1904 to 1906. Muhlinghaus got involved in football through his association with the K.F.C. Rhodienne-De Hoek. In 1895, he took the initiative to help found the UBSSA, the precursor of the

Royal Belgian Football Association The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA; ; ; ) is the governing body of football in Belgium. It was a founding member of FIFA in 1904 and UEFA in 1954 and was based in Brussels, not far from the King Baudouin Stadium. Since October 2021, the ...

. In 1904, after an international between Belgium and France in Ukkel, he convinced his French counterpart to found an international Football Association. Muhlinghaus became its first secretary and treasurer. He was also the first person, in 1905, to propose the idea of an international competition for national teams. This prototype world cup did not materialize, which partly led to his resignation as secretary-treasurer. He however continued to attend the yearly FIFA-congresses held throughout Europe. According to some sources, he died in 1915. Aftrap in Brussel - Kurt Deswert http://www.borgerhoff-lamberigts.be/boeken/p/detail/aftrap-in-brussel

References

FIFA officials Belgian sportspeople 1870 births 1915 deaths {{Belgium-footy-bio-stub