World Cup
1930
Uruguay hosted the first World
Cup in 1930. Thirteen countries participated in the
tournament. There were seven countries from South America:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and
Uuguay.
Two countries represented Central and North America: Mexico
and the United States. Only four countries came from
Europe: Belgium, Rumania, Yugoslavia and France.
All games were played at one single stadium in Montevideo.
Crossing
Continents
Even today a journey from Europe to South America involves
a long tiring flight. In 1930 it took several weeks and was
very expensive. The French, Belgian, Yugoslavian and
Rumanian players travelled to Montevideo on the same ship.
The French travelled first class, while the other teams
could only afford third class travel. All the players,
however, trained together on the deck of the boat.
Uruguay played Argentina in the 1930 World Cup Final. It
was a local ‘derby’ because the two countries are only
separated by a river. More than 70,000 spectators saw
Uruguay win 4 - 2.