CHAMPION: Uruguay
RUNNER-UP: Argentina
GOLDEN SHOE: Guillermo Stabile (ARG)
TEAMS: 13
TOTAL MATCHES: 18
GOALS SCORED: 70 (3.9 per match)
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 24,138
SUPRISES: USA (third place)
FORMAT: Four groups of three teams (Group 1 with four teams), group winners advanced to one-match semifinal.
1930 – The first-ever World Cup was nothing like today’s tournament as it featured only 13 teams, including none from Africa, Asia or Oceania. Only four teams from Europe participated so it was no surprise that the final was contested by two South American entrants – hosts Uruguay and archrivals Argentina.
The entire tournament was played in the capital city of Montevideo, including the big final at the famous Estadio Centenario in which 80,000 fans watched Uruguay rally from a 1-2 halftime deficit to win the first World Cup 4-2.
The U.S. surprised as well, finishing a respectable third place and claiming the World Cup’s first-ever hat trick scorer in Bert Patenaude. That semifinal appearance is still the best ever showing for the Stars and Stripes.
Ironically, the first World Cup almost didn’t take place as the European teams were not thrilled about the idea of the two month trip away from home, or the two week boat journey it would require to reach Uruguay. But eventually, France, Belgium, Yugoslavia and Romania decided to participate and the rest is football history.
