History of the FIFA World Cup - The Inaugural FIFA World Cup 1930
FIFA began its long journey into organising the four yearly World Cups in Uruguay. Uruguay football team had successfully retained its Olympic title in 1928, and was selected by the FIFA to celebrate Uruguay’s centenary of independence.
All most all of the matches were played in Uruguayan capital Montevideo, in Estadio Centenario stadium specifically built for the tournament. A total of 13 teams, seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America participated in this historic World cup. The teams were divided into four groups, with the winner of each group qualified for the semi final. Argentina, USA, Uruguay and Yugoslavia each won their respective groups. Argentina and Uruguay met in the final, with Uruguay, the hosts, winning 4-2 in front of a crowd of 93000.
The origins to this football spectacular date back to 1914. FIFA recognised the Olympics Football tournament as a “championship for amateurs”. They agreed to organize the event from 1920-1928. Owing to a disagreement between FIFA and the International Olympic Committee led to Football being dropped from 1932 Summer Olympics. FIFA met in a meeting in Amsterdam, and FIFA President Jules Rimet planned to hold a tournament separate from Olympics. The member voted to 25-5 and accepted. FIFA invited all of its members and this was the first tournament to be held without any qualification. Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Uruguay were to bid for hosting the tournament. Uruguay were the obvious favourites, as they were reigning Olympic Champions as well and they planned to build a new stadium just for the tournament. Uruguay also offered to refund the expenses of the entire participants. They therefore succeeded and were chosen to host the World Cup.
All of the FIFA members were invited to participate. A total of seven teams participated from South America. European teams could not meet the expenditure of the trip to Uruguay, therefore failed to participate. Some refused to travel to South America in any circumstance. Later, Belgium, France, Yugoslavia and Romania made it to the tournament.
Argentina and Uruguay met in a rematch of the 1928 Olympic final. The final of the inaugural FIFA World Cup was played in Estadio Centenario on 30th July. The final was played at the Estadio Centenario on 30 July. The tournament was looking to be an instant success, as a crowd of 93,000 showed up. FIFA was happy with the tournament, after concerns about the public response. Boats after boats carrying Argentinean fans arrived to the Uruguayan capital. The port of the capital was so crowded that many could not even make it before the kickoff. The supporters filled the ground at noon, six hours before the match was to start. The supporters were searched for weapons to prevent any mishaps. A disagreement was reached over the World Cup ball, and FIFA had to intervene. It was agreed that Argentina would provide the ball in the first half while Uruguay will provide in the second. Uruguay changed its squad for this encounter as Castro replaced Anselmo, who was ill. Argentine player Monti received death threats prior to the match, but still managed to play. The referee, John Langenus, agreed to officiate the match after he received assurance of safety. He also requested to keep a boat ready at the harbour, following the final whistle. He needed that in case he had to make a quick escape.
Uruguay drew first blood, when Pablo Dorado scored from a low shot. Argentina came back stronger, and displayed superior passing. Within eight minutes, Argentina found themselves on level terms. Carlos Peucelle beat his marker and found the net easily. The leading scorer of the tournament Stabile then gave the Argentina the lead. Argentina may have made it 3-1, when Monti missed a clear chance. Uruguay then sought a comeback, attacking in numbers. Uruguay inevitably equalized, with Pedro Cea scoring. Ten minutes later, Santos Iriarte’s goal provided Uruguay the lead second time in the match. Castro later made it 4–2 to seal the win. The Uruguayans were the World Champions, and the FIFA President presented the champions the World Cup Trophy. The Uruguayans were happy, a national holiday was declared in Uruguay the following day. In Argentina however, mob threw stones at a Uruguayan consulate.
It was a historic day in the history of football, as it laid foundation to 18 other World Cups. Football World Cup is perhaps the biggest sporting extravaganza, second only to the Olympics. Every four years, the teams meet for a chance to be crowned the World Champions, and fans from all over the world speak one common language, Football.
Sadly Uruguay were angry at the number of countries attending in the first World Cup. There were just 13 countries in the tournament and because of that Uruguay boycotted the 1934 World Cup. In doing that they became the first and only team who did not defend their World Cup title. Eventually FIFA convinced them to play and this year they are going strong for the title being in the quarter finals.
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