Uruguay won the first Soccer World Cup

Origins of Uruguay vs. Argentina Rivalry

The origins of the Uruguay vs. Argentina rivalry go back to the 19th century when both countries competed for economic and geopolitical power. Their rivalry also stems from their position as the most developed nations in South America at the time. The main difference between the two countries was their foreign policy. Uruguay sought a neutral position in global conflicts, while Argentina engaged in imperialist warfare with its neighbors. In the early 20th century, the rivalry between Uruguay and Argentina intensified as they began to host the most prominent football tournaments in South America. They also served as host cities for the first international events. In 1916, the Olympic Games were held in Buenos Aires while Montevideo hosted the First South American Games.

The Road to the First World Cup

In the early 1900s, various football associations and clubs around the world had begun to consider the idea of international football competitions. In 1914, the English Football Association (FA) proposed that Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Holland organize a tournament. The First World War changed the plans for an international competition, as the organizers turned their attention to the many wounded soldiers who had begun to play the game in Great Britain. In the years after the war, the international community began to discuss the idea of an international football competition once again. In the early 1920s, a selection of European countries began to announce plans to host a football tournament.

Why Uruguay and Argentina?

You may be wondering: Why did Uruguay and Argentina host the first World Cup? Indeed, both countries had hosted other international competitions, such as the 1916 First South American Games in Montevideo and the 1923 First Pan American Games in Buenos Aires. So why did they get to host the first World Cup? It comes down to two things: economic and political factors. First, the economic factors: both countries had a strong economy during the early 1920s. They were the most developed nations in South America, and their football associations were willing to cover hosting costs. They also had the stadiums necessary to host such an important international event. And second, the political factors: both countries had a strong football culture and had produced many important figures in the sport. In the years leading up to the first World Cup, both Argentina and Uruguay had hosted international tournaments. Moreover, both countries had hosted the 1910 World Championships. Both countries also had an ongoing rivalry, which could only help to promote the tournament in a way that would resonate with fans.

The Big Day Arrives

By the time the first World Cup came around in 1928, Europe had begun to recover from the war. Countries like Great Britain and France, which had been forced to cancel their plans to host the tournament in 1914, were ready to celebrate once again. The mood was similar in South America and the United States, where the first World Cup was set to be hosted. The host cities were Montevideo, where the First South American Games were held, and Buenos Aires, which had hosted the 1916 First Pan American Games. The first games were played on July 16, 1928, with the final taking place on July 30. The tournament featured 16 teams that were divided into four groups of four. Each group featured two teams from Europe and one team each from South America, Central America, and North America. The winner of each group advanced to the semifinals. The final was played at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo with a capacity of around 100,000. A total of 13,781 people attended the first World Cup final.

Aftermath

The first World Cup was a great success. The tournament was well organized and featured some of the best teams from across the globe. The spark of enthusiasm among its fans meant that the World Cup grew in popularity during the 1930s. In fact, FIFA had to extend the tournament by a year due to the high demand for tickets. This tournament put South America on the map in the world of international football. The hosts were able to showcase their passion for the sport as well as their natural talent and skill. The tournament also brought together people of different cultures and backgrounds. It was a great platform for South America to show the rest of the world that it was as capable of hosting big events as any other continent.