Qatar 2022 is just around the corner, so which countries played at the very first FIFA World Cup in 1930? HITC Football looks back at the maiden tournament in Uruguay 92 years ago.
FIFA had holding an international competition on its mind from the moment the governing body was founded in 1904. But it was not until the 1920s that national associations backed the prospect following the success of football games at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France.
Yet FIFA notes on its website that the absence of the British associations in Paris kicked off the idea of a World Cup. They had declined to participate in the 1924 Olympics owning to the players’ amateur status having established professional divisions at the domestic level.
Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930 caused issues for European nations
FIFA eventually gave Uruguay the right to host the inaugural World Cup for 1930 – marking the centenary of its first constitution. The tournament was held solely in the capital city of Montevideo. But travelling to South America was problematic for many Eastern countries.
In fact, four European national teams travelled on the same boat as former FIFA president Jules Rimet arranged their travel. FIFA notes most European countries went back on their promises to play at the first World Cup with the continent dealing with an economic crisis.
Additionally, clubs had to renounce their players for two months to play in Uruguay due to the lengthy sea voyage. So, more and more nations were unwilling to commit to sending a team to Uruguay. Very much to the host nation’s frustrations, despite their own successes.
Which countries played in the first World Cup at Uruguay 1930?
Rimet’s personal efforts at least ensured four European countries travelled to Uruguay for the first World Cup in 1930. The Frenchman was able to sway Belgium, France, Yugoslavia and Romania into sending national teams to South America. All four shared the same boat.
He also managed to convince two North American countries to play at the first World Cup in Mexico and the United States. But only having four European nations competing against two from North America and seven South American countries frustrated hosts Uruguay.
Only 13 teams competed at the first World Cup with Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Paraguay joining Uruguay from South America. FIFA split the teams into three groups of three and one group of four for the first round. Only the group winners would advance.
What was the format used for the first World Cup in 1930?
The first World Cup was by invitation only as just 13 countries took Rimet’s offer to play at Uruguay 1930. The tournament also only encompassed three rounds and did not require a qualifying stage. It went straight into the group stage, before two semi-finals and the final.
Argentina, Yugoslavia, Uruguay and the United States won their groups – with only Group 1 teams Argentina, Chile, France and Mexico playing three games. All group winners also progressed with perfect 100% win rates when just two points were awarded for a victory.
Argentina had registered the best offence in the group stage with 10 goals and continued to be a lethal attack in the semi-finals. La Albiceleste thrashed the United States 6-1 in the first semi-final tie. Uruguay repeated their result to beat the last European side in Yugoslavia.
Argentina then met the host nation, Uruguay, on July 30, 1930 for the first FIFA World Cup final. FIFA cites an attendance of 93,000 for a repeat of the 1928 Olympics final, which La Celeste won 2-1 in a rematch. But a second match was not needed for the first World Cup.
Uruguay boycotted the 1934 tournament over the European absences from 1930
Uruguay emerged triumphant in front of their own fans to claim a 4-2 result despite being 1-2 down at half-time. La Celesta broke the deadlock after just 12 minutes, but Argentina responded on 20 and 37 minutes. Goals after 57, 68 and 89 minutes would seal their win.
Yet the absence of most European countries during the first World Cup in 1930 frustrated Uruguay, who – for the first and only time – renounced the chance to defend the FIFA title. The defending champions automatically qualified for every edition prior to Germany 2006.
Uruguay also sat out the 1938 edition in France but did return in 1950 for the fourth FIFA World Cup. La Celesta also won the title in Brazil for their second and last crown. Italy took the title on home soil in 1934 and in 1938 as one of only two nations to defend the crown.
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