The FIFA World Cup of 1930 was the inaugural edition of the quadrennial international football tournament organized by FIFA. It was held in Uruguay, from July 13 to 30, and featured 13 teams from North and South America and Europe. The tournament was a historic event for football, as it marked the first time that the best national teams from around the world came together to compete for a single trophy.
Participants
The 13 teams that participated in the tournament were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, the United States, Belgium, France, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Bolivia. Only four European teams were present in the tournament, with most of the participants being from South America.
Matches
The tournament was organized in a knockout format, with the 13 teams divided into four groups, three of which had three teams each, and one of which had four teams. The winners of each group advanced to the semi-finals, where they played each other in a single-elimination format. The winners of the semi-finals played in the final, while the losers played in a third-place match.
The tournament kicked off on July 13, 1930, with France and Mexico playing the first game, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the French. Uruguay won the tournament, defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final. The third-place match saw the United States beat Yugoslavia 6-1.
Goal scorers
The top scorer of the tournament was Guillermo Stabile of Argentina, who scored eight goals in four matches. His performance helped Argentina reach the final, where they were ultimately defeated by Uruguay.
Format
The format of the tournament was different from the one used in modern World Cups. The 13 teams were divided into four groups, with the winners of each group advancing to the semi-finals. The semi-finals and the final were played in a knockout format, with no third-place playoff. Each match was 90 minutes long, and if a match ended in a draw, a replay would be held to determine the winner.
Legacy
The FIFA World Cup of 1930 was a historic event for football, as it marked the first time that the best national teams from around the world came together to compete for a single trophy. It was also a significant moment for Uruguay, as they won the tournament and became the first team to be crowned world champions. The tournament helped to popularize football in Uruguay and other parts of South America, where it was already a popular sport.
The success of the tournament also led to the establishment of the World Cup as a quadrennial event, with subsequent editions being held every four years. The format of the tournament has evolved over time, with the number of teams increasing and the format changing to accommodate more teams.
Winners
