Last update 6 June, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
You know The secret history of the First Soccer World Cup in History? Uruguay 1930 Not only marked the birth of the World Cup, but also the beginning of a global passion. This tournament, held in Uruguay, He laid the foundations for what today is the largest football event on the planet. But beyond the known, There are little counted curiosities and data that make it a legendary tournament.
The secret history of the first World Cup
Why Uruguay?
FIFA chose Uruguay as headquarters in part to celebrate the centenary of its independence. Besides, The Uruguayan team had won the Olympic gold in 1924 y 1928, which made it an emerging power. However, The long trip to South America dissuaded many European selections.
Limited participation
Solo 13 Selections participated in the tournament: 7 South American, 4 European and 2 North American. Teams like Spain, Germany, Italy or England were absent. France, Belgium, Romania and Yugoslavia were the only representatives of the old continent.
A pioneer tournament
The games were played between the 13 and the 30 July. He Centenario stadium It was built in record time to house the competition. All matches were played in Montevideo, What facilitated logistics, But he also concentrated all the attention in a single city.
The final: Uruguay vs Argentina
The grand final was a South American duel between Uruguay and Argentina, two powers of the moment. In a very intense game, Uruguay traced a 1-2 against and ended up imposing 4-2, thus proclaiming world champion before a cool crowd.
Fun facts
- There was no classification phase: The teams were invited.
- The referees wore a hat to protect themselves from the sun.
- No official ball was used: In the final two different balls were used, one in each part.
- The first goal in the history of the World Cups was marked by Lucien Laurent, from France, before Mexico.
The Legacy of the Tournament
The World Cup 1930 It was the germ of a competition that moves millions today. Its rudimentary format and logistics difficulties did not prevent the tournament from becoming a historical milestone. Uruguay was consecrated as the first great power of world football.