In which year was the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) formed?

In 1987, the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) was formed and initially headed by a provisional board of directors consisting of representatives from four countries- Japan, United States of America, Sweden, and Germany.

The WPA is an associate of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), the international umbrella organization that encompasses the major cue sports. It also sanctions rules and events for carom billiards (billiards played on pocketless billiard tables).

As of 2019, the President of WPA is Ian Anderson (born April 2, 1946), a former professional snooker player of Australia. The organization is headquartered in Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales in Australia.

The WPA members are grouped by six continental/regional confederations, who in turn, consist of members from a country’s national federation. The six include: All Africa Pool Association, Asia Pocket Billiard Union, the Billiard Congregation of America, a Confederation Panamerica of Billiards, a European Pocket Federation, and the Oceania Pocket Billard Association.

Since its inception, membership in the WPA has grown. In 1991, Australia and New Zealand, under the umbrella of the Australasia Pool Association, became members. In 1999, the organizations associated with Latin America and the Caribbean became members, and in 2000, a substantial portion of the organizations from Africa joined.