Sambafoot will publish a retrospective of all World Cup editions as a warm-up for the 2022 World Cup. This week, we’ll begin with the inaugural edition, which took place in 1930.
The World Cup in Qatar is approaching! Let’s reminisce about the first World Cup, which took place in 1930, to whet our appetites for the world’s largest national team competition.
Uruguay were the great champion, and on the lawns, they capped their magnificent phase – they had previously won gold medals in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. By the way, it reaffirmed Argentina’s client status, despite the fact that they were defeated in the judgment.
At the same time, owing to the distance between the nations, the big European powers did not participate in the competition.
Check out our recap of the first World Cup ever held!
Datasheet
- Champion: Uruguay
- Headquarters: Uruguay
- Final: Uruguay 4 x 2 Argentina (Estadio Centenario, Montevideo-URU)
- Participants: 13
- Top Scorer: Guillermo Stábile (Argentina – 8 goals)
The start of the World Cup for national teams
The Olympic Games were the most important football event until 1930. However, because of the sport’s poor popularity in the United States, it was not recorded in Los Angeles in 1932.
The previous three editions of the Olympics (from 1920 to 1928) were organized by FIFA, although there were problems with the IOC about the inclusion of amateur and professional players. In light of this, the organization decided to hold a separate competition for all of its members.
Several nations sought to host, but all save Uruguay abandoned their bids. FIFA validated the pick because, in addition to being the current Olympic champion, the nation was also commemorating their 100th year of independence.
Great European teams did not compete in the first World Cup
There were no qualifying rounds for the 1930 World Cup. All FIFA-affiliated teams were invited to compete. However, no European team originally expressed interest in competing in the competition.
The rationale was the lengthy and costly voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the need for players in European football to swindle their teams. Meanwhile, seven South Americans confirmed their participation, a continent-wide record.
After the involvement of major authorities such as Romanian King Charles II, four teams consented to compete. Europe was represented by Belgium, France, Yugoslavia, and Romania, although they had little chance of winning.
Uruguay confirms status as a great football force in the 1920s
The 13 teams were split into four groups, with only the winner progressing to the semifinals. The only group with four options was Group 1.
Uruguay was not only the host nation, but also the best team in the world at the time. The squad struggled to overcome Peru in the first phase (1 to 0), but they demolished Romania (4 to 0) to ensure their classification. Argentina, Yugoslavia, and the United States also went unbeaten in their respective groups.
1930 cup winner Uruguay. Source: Getty Images
Decision marks reunion between Uruguay and Argentina
Argentina hammered the United States in the semifinals on a soggy surface. Six of the American players were, in fact, British.
Uruguay, on the other hand, were 2-0 down against Yugoslavia and had a goal disallowed when they were down 2-1. A tour of the hosts in the second half clinched the classic in the excellent decision.
Between 10,000 and 15,000 Argentines crossed the border to attend the repeat of the 1928 Olympic final at the Centenario Stadium.
Argentina dominated the first half and won 2-1, thanks to a goal from top scorer Guillermo Stábile. The scenario changed in the second half, with Uruguay scoring three times.
The next day, Celeste Olmpica won their first World Cup championship, and the country proclaimed a national holiday. In all, 12 goals were scored in four games, for an average of three goals per game. It is the highest average ever for a victorious team.
Split between Rio and São Paulo compromises the Brazilian campaign
Brazil’s inaugural World Cup appearance was marred by a feud between players and management from Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo, which jeopardized the team’s ability to compete.
The players from Sao Paulo chose not to defend the Brazilian squad due to the issue. When it came to making the call-up, Coach Pindaro de Carvalho Rodrigues had a few key players missing.
Group 2 included Brazil, Yugoslavia, and Bolivia. Only the bracket winner progressed to the semifinals. As a result, the team’s 2-1 loss against the Europeans in their first match effectively eliminated them from the event.
Bolivia were easily defeated in the final game (4-0). Preguinho (Fluminense) scored Brazil’s first goal in the World Cup on his debut. Since then, Brazil have been the only country to compete in every edition.
Standing: A. Costa, P. de Carvalho, Brilhante, Fausto, Hermógenes, Itália, Joel, Fernando. Source: Arquivo CBF
Brazil 1 x 2 Yugoslavia. Source: Arquivo CBF
1930 World Cup facts
Remember some fascinating and unusual facts regarding the World Cup’s inaugural edition!
- Two matches started at the same time and marked the opening of the Cups: France 4 x 1 Mexico and United States 3 x 0 Belgium. Lucien Laurent, from France, was responsible for the first goal.
- The four representatives from Europe needed to be convinced to compete in the World Cup, because the trip to South America was not attractive.
- The three stadiums of the 1930 World Cup were located in Montevideo. The Centenary Stadium was built especially for the event and was nicknamed “The Temple of Football”.
- All the players who defended Brazil were from Rio, except for one: Araken Patusca. Fighting with Santos, he was registered as a Flamengo player, even against the will of CBD officials.
- The 1930 World Cup did not have any draws. In the semifinals, Uruguay and Argentina had the biggest wins (6-1 against Yugoslavia and the United States, respectively).
Estádio Centenário in Montevidéu, built for the World cup. (Source: Agência AP )
