1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay
Also called: 1st FIFA World Cup
The first World Cup was held in Montevideo. Thirteen nations took part, and in the final the hosts Uruguay beat Argentina 4–2.
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The first World Cup was held in Uruguay from 13 to 30 July 1930. Uruguay had won the Olympic football tournaments of 1924 and 1928 and was celebrating the centenary of its first constitution. It offered to pay the teams’ travel and lodging, but the sea voyage of more than two weeks meant only four European nations came — France, Belgium, Romania and Yugoslavia. With nine teams from the Americas, thirteen nations took part, without qualifying rounds.
On the opening day Lucien Laurent of France scored the first World Cup goal, against Mexico. The Estadio Centenario, built for the tournament, was not ready in time and opened only on 18 July, Constitution Day. The final on 30 July pitted Uruguay against Argentina, their neighbour across the Río de la Plata. Each side insisted on its own ball, so the first half was played with Argentina’s and the second with Uruguay’s. Trailing 1–2 at half-time, Uruguay won 4–2 to become the first world champions. The trophy was later named the Jules Rimet Cup after FIFA’s president.
