360Uruguay hosts and wins the first FIFA World Cup
The first FIFA World Cup was played in Uruguay from 13 to 30 July 1930, with 13 national teams. France's Lucien Laurent scored the tournament's first goal. In the final at Montevideo's new Estadio Centenario, Uruguay beat Argentina 4–2. Nearly a century later, the World Cup is the most watched sporting event on Earth.
Football's world governing body, FIFA, decided in 1928 to create a world championship for national teams. Uruguay, the Olympic champion in 1924 and 1928, was chosen to host the first tournament in 1930, the centenary of its first constitution.
The long sea voyage from Europe kept many teams away. Thirteen took part: seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America.
The tournament opened on 13 July. In one of the first two matches, France's Lucien Laurent scored the first goal in World Cup history, against Mexico.
The final, on 30 July, was played at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, built for the tournament. Uruguay came back from 2–1 down at half-time to beat neighbours Argentina 4–2 in front of a large crowd.
The World Cup grew into the world's biggest single-sport event. The 2030 tournament will mark its centenary, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
- 1928
- FIFA decides to hold a World Cup
- 13 July 1930
- The first matches are played
- 30 July 1930
- Uruguay beats Argentina 4–2 in the final
- 2030
- The World Cup's centenary tournament
Sources: FIFA · Britannica.