1930 World Cup: Uruguay Football Confirms Their Superiority

It was no easy task. America and Europe were suffering from the consequences of the 1929 economic crisis, which led to high unemployment rates and the bankruptcy of several small companies and big banks. Football, officially organized by FIFA since 1904, was still taking baby steps as a sport and did not have anything resembling a professional structure. Nonetheless, even if the scenario did not help, choosing Uruguay as the host of the 1930 World Cup made every sense from a sporting point of view.

The South Americans won both editions of the Olympic Games in 1924 and 1928, a feat that earned them the nickname of Olympic Celeste, which they are still called today. In addition, from a symbolic perspective, the fact that Uruguay would celebrate its 100th independence anniversary in 1930 helped.

With this mixed economic and technically based argument, the choice to hold the first edition of the World Cup in Uruguay was made during the FIFA Conference in Barcelona in 1929.

Teams Were Invited

In practice, there was a certain level of improvisation in the 1930 World Cup tournament. For example, no qualifiers and teams were invited to participate. Only four teams from the Old Continent agreed to cross the Atlantic by sea, France, Belgium, Romania, and Yugoslavia.

Eight teams from South America, the United States, and Mexico made up the rest of the sides. Unfortunately, the group draw was only done when all teams had arrived in Uruguay. As a result, the matches were played in only three stadiums and the same city, the capital, Montevideo.

Argentina and Uruguay faced each other in the final at the Centenario Stadium, with a capacity of 100 thousand people. Despite finishing the first half trailing 2-1, Uruguay scored three times in the second half and won the match 4-2.

FIFA president Jules Rimet handed Uruguay’s captain José Nazassi the 1930 World cup trophy. On 31 July, the day after the final, a national bank holiday was declared in Uruguay.

Brazil Plays A Supporting Role

For Brazil to participate in the World Cup for the first time, they had to travel 15 days by ship. Also, they did not travel to Uruguay with their squad at full strength because of an argument between the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro football directors.

When the Brazilian Sport Confederation (CBD) technical staff was put together, no representatives of the São Paulo Athletic Sport Association were present.

In retaliation, São Paulo vetoed the call-up of players from the state. Therefore important names at the time, like Arthur Friedenreich, Feitiço, and Aramando Del Debbio, did not play for Brazil in Uruguay.

Under strength and facing the harsh Uruguayan winter, Brazil lost their first match 2-1 to Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, Preguinho had the honor of scoring the first Brazilian goal in the World Cups.

The setback against the Europeans meant Brazil was out of the 1930 World Cup tournament, as Yugoslavia beat Bolivia 4-1, and only one team would get through to the semi-final. In their last match in Uruguay, Brazil thrashed Bolivia 4-0, with Moderato and Preguinho scoring twice.