Who won the first FIFA World Cup?
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Uruguay National Team in the FIFA World Cup 1930
The first FIFA World Cup was hosted in Uruguay from July 13 to July 30 in the year 1930 and it completely changed the sport of football. What began as an invitational championship with only 13 teams expanded into the colossal spectacle that is the FIFA World Cup as we recognize it today.
One of the most watched sporting events in the entire world is the FIFA World Cup competition. As we clock time for the upcoming 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup hosted for the first time in a Middle-East country, Qatar, let’s have a look at who won the first-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Also Read: 5 players who have won the most FIFA World cups
Who won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930?
Hosts, Uruguay National Team beat Argentina National Team in the finals on July 31, 1930, and clinched the 1930 FIFA World Cup, the first-ever FIFA World Cup, making history. Raul Jude, the president of the Uruguayan Football Association, received the trophy from Rimet, which was eventually renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy in his honor. Uruguay made July 31 a national holiday in remembrance of the momentous triumph.
How did Argentina and Uruguay reach the finals of the first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1930?
After finishing first in their pools, Argentina, Yugoslavia, Uruguay, and the USA advanced to the knockout stages. By matching scores of 6-1, Argentina and Uruguay crushed Yugoslavia and the United States, respectively, to draw up the first-ever FIFA World Cup final.
Because the two neighboring nations already had a long-standing football enmity, the final was a high-stakes encounter. Just two years prior, the men’s football team of Uruguay defeated Argentina 2-1 in a rematch to capture the 1928 Olympic gold medal. The first game had come to a 1-1 draw.
Thousands of Argentine supporters traveled across the Rio de la Plata river on ferries to see their team revenge the heartbreaking loss of the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. On kickoff day, away supporters’ chants of “Victory or Death” rippled throughout Montevideo. For the finale, the Estadio Centenario was packed with over 93,000 attendees.
How did Uruguay win against Argentina in the 1930 FIFA World Cup Final?
Pablo Dorado gave the home team, Uruguay, the lead 12 minutes in with a low strike from the right, however, Argentine winger Carlos Peucelle equalized just eight minutes after by beating Uruguay goalkeeper Enrique Ballestrero with a fierce strike. Guillermo Stabile gave Argentina the lead in the 37th minute, giving them a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Nevertheless, the home side made a comeback in the second half, as Pedro Cea scored to tie the score at 2-2 at the hour mark. Santos Iriarte gave Uruguay the advantage for the first time in the game with a shot in the 68th minute, and with one minute remaining, Hector Castro awarded his team the 4-2 triumph and the championship.
How did Uruguay obtain the rights to host the first FIFA World Cup in 1930?
The FIFA Congress approved the official decision to host its independent global football championships on May 28, 1928, in Amsterdam. The FIFA World Cup was established on this date. To host the first edition, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden all filed bids; however, Uruguay ultimately won the hosting honors.
In 1930, Uruguay was honoring its 100th year of independence, and the government was extremely interested in hosting the World Cup of football. After Uruguay claimed back-to-back gold medals at the Olympics in 1924 and 1928, the sport became incredibly well-liked in the nation.
The national football association of Uruguay was also prepared to pay for all expenditures, covering the teams’ lodging and traveling expenses. Uruguay volunteered to cover any deficits while sharing any potential profits. Uruguay was formally selected as the first FIFA World Cup host nation during the FIFA Congress in Barcelona in 1929.
The 1930 FIFA World Cup in Uruguay was an invitational competition, with all FIFA member nations being asked to participate, as there were no qualifying rounds. It was the only year in the history of the FIFA World Cup that there was no qualifying.
What were the challenges faced by Uruguay while hosting the FIFA World Cup in 1930?
While North and South American teams like Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and the United States of America were enthusiastic to take part, acquiring the European teams on board proved to be a significant challenge, even with Uruguay’s significant financial commitments.
In fact, by the deadline in February 1930, no European team had responded to the invitation. The Great Depression at the time, which led to economic woes across the globe, was the main factor. Few players desired to go so far and for so long because they were worried about losing their only reliable source of revenue.
The FIFA president at the time, Jules Rimet, interfered and actively urged Yugoslavia and his native France to participate sides. Belgium was persuaded by German-Belgian FIFA vice president Rodolphe Seeldrayers.
Romania joined the effort after Carol II, the country’s recently crowned monarch is said to have personally chosen the team. To make sure the players’ careers would still be there when they returned, he talked with their managers. With this inclusion, the first FIFA World Cup expanded to 13 teams, including hosts Uruguay as well as Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the United States, France, Belgium, Romania, and Yugoslavia.
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