Where and when was the first World Cup held?

Where was the first World Cup football match in history?
Light years away, but in a way, full of stories reminiscent of current events: the decision to host the first football World Cup in history in Uruguay, against numerous bids from European countries, was sensational and significant. Jules Rimet’s influence created the first edition of the trophy in 1928. Since FIFA’s founding in 1904, the main concern has been to find a framework in which national teams can compete outside the amateur nature of Olympic events.

The founding act of the new competition goes back Congress of Amsterdam Since 1928, on recommendation Rimet and Delaney Happened: A World Cup should be organized to allow national teams to meet, thereby breaking the “monopoly” of the Olympic Games. The starting point was the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games, both won by Uruguay: an aspect that proved controversial.

The Celeste’s role in dominating soccer at the Olympic level led to the decision to select Uruguay – specifically the capital Montevideo – as the venue for the first World Cup in history. A choice against the nominations of European countries (Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Spain and Sweden) led to protests by many countries of the old continent.

Only four European countries visited Uruguay, namely France (attached to Rimet’s diplomatic mission), Yugoslavia, Belgium and Romania.

In addition to the four European teams – France, Yugoslavia, Belgium And Romania – took Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, MexicoThe United States of America Of course Uruguay area. So there were only thirteen national teams in total, which were definitely affected by the boycott measures of the European countries.

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As already mentioned, Uruguay hosted the first World Cup, and its matches were held in three stadiums in the capital city of Montevideo: Centenary HallIn Pocitos Stadium And inside Stadium Gran Park Central. The history of the Centenario Stadium is inextricably linked to the first edition of the World Cup: the 80,000-seat stadium was designed and built in record time and completed in time for its World Cup premiere. The name is associated with the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the first constitution of the Republic of Uruguay.

With a small number of teams and this being the first time, it is very interesting to understand in retrospect what formula was chosen and what rules were implied in the first edition of the World Cup.

Thirteen teams were divided into four groups, one of four teams and the other of three teams. Two points were awarded for a win and one point for a draw. Had there been a tie, there would have been a decider between the respective teams, but this scenario did not work out.

The top-seeded teams then played each other in the semi-finals, with a draw from the semi-finals going into extra time (although all matches were decided in regulation time).

The four groups qualifying for the semi-finals are as follows: Group 1Argentina, Chile, France and Mexico are the only four teams, Group 2 From Brazil, Bolivia and Yugoslavia, Group 3 From hosts Uruguay and Romania and Peru, and Group 4 From Belgium, USA and Paraguay. Argentina, Yugoslavia, Uruguay and the USA advanced to the semi-finals: the two matches to decide who advanced to the final took place on July 26 (Argentina – USA) and July 27 (Uruguay – Yugoslavia), with the same result: 6-1 to Argentina and Uruguay.

As for the epilogue of the match, there was no deviation from expectations and predictions: victory went Celeste defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final. Argentina equalized through Dorado’s goal and took the lead through Bucelle and Stabile, but Uruguay countered and came back: second-half goals from Sea, Iriarte and Castro. All this in front of an unprecedented crowd that packed the Centenario Stadium beyond its capacity (93,000 spectators and 80,000 spectators).