In short
The first FIFA World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930, establishing what would become the world's largest sporting event. Thirteen national teams competed in a tournament that legitimized soccer as a global spectacle and set the template for international sports competition that persists today.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The First Fitna was the first civil war in the Islamic community. It led to the end of the Rashidun Caliphate and the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate. The civil war involved three main factions; the supporters of the fourth Rashidun caliph Ali, the Uthmaniyya, and the Kharijites, a faction of radical secessionists who broke away from Ali's camp following the arbitration at Siffin.
As it was happening
11 voices, 798 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
FIFA awards tournament to Uruguay
FIFA Congress selects Uruguay as host nation for the inaugural World Cup, recognizing the country's footballing strength and recent Olympic success in 1928.
Voices from this moment (1)
FIFA awards tournament to Uruguay
May 26
“FIFA Congress selects Uruguay as host nation for the…”
As it was happening
11 voices, 798 days.
Day 0 · May 26, 1928
FIFA awards tournament to Uruguay
FIFA Congress selects Uruguay as host nation for the inaugural World Cup, recognizing the country's footballing strength and recent Olympic success in 1928.
“FIFA Congress selects Uruguay as host nation for the…”
- FIFA awards tournament to Uruguay, May 26
Day 778 · July 13, 1930
Tournament opens
The first FIFA World Cup begins in Montevideo with Uruguay facing Peru in the opening match. France plays Mexico simultaneously in the other Group 1 fixture.
“The first FIFA World Cup begins in Montevideo with Uruguay…”
- Tournament opens, Jul 13
Day 779 · July 14, 1930
Yugoslavia advances
Yugoslavia defeats Bolivia 8–0 in the largest margin of victory in the tournament, demonstrating the wide skill disparity between competing nations.
“Yugoslavia defeats Bolivia 8–0 in the largest margin of…”
- Yugoslavia advances, Jul 14
Day 782 · July 17, 1930
Argentina secures semifinals
Argentina completes its group stage undefeated, advancing to the knockout phase as one of four semifinalists.
“Argentina completes its group stage undefeated, advancing…”
- Argentina secures semifinals, Jul 17
Day 793 · July 28, 1930
Uruguay reaches final
Uruguay defeats Yugoslavia 6–1 in the first semifinal to secure its place in the championship match.
“Uruguay defeats Yugoslavia 6–1 in the first semifinal to…”
- Uruguay reaches final, Jul 28
Day 794 · July 29, 1930
Argentina advances to final
Argentina defeats the United States 6–1 in the second semifinal, setting up a final between South American rivals.
“Argentina defeats the United States 6–1 in the second…”
- Argentina advances to final, Jul 29
Day 795 · July 30, 1930
Uruguay wins inaugural tournament
Uruguay defeats Argentina 4–2 in the final before 93,000 spectators at Estadio Centario. The victory establishes Uruguay as the first World Cup champion and validates the tournament format.
“Uruguay Wins First World Football Championship”
- The Times, Jul 31
“Argentina Cae en la Final del Campeonato Mundial /…”
- La Nacion, Jul 31
“Triunfo Celeste: Uruguay Reina en el Futbol Mundial”
- El Espectador, Aug 1
“Le Championnat Mondial de Football Sacre en Uruguay”
- Le Figaro, Aug 2
“Uruguay defeats Argentina 4–2 in the final before 93,000…”
- Uruguay wins inaugural tournament, Jul 30
The numbers.
4 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Total participating nations
0
Total matches played
0
Highest attendance (final match)
0
Goals scored in tournament
0
The visual record.
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The Times, La Nacion, Le Figaro.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
4 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The Times
Newspaper · United Kingdom · Jul 31, 1930
"Uruguay Wins First World Football Championship"
In a historic sporting spectacle held in Montevideo, the host nation Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final match of the inaugural FIFA World Cup tournament. The competition, contested by thirteen nations over two weeks, marks a watershed moment for international association football.
- Jul 31, 1930
La Nacion
Newspaper · Argentina
"Argentina Cae en la Final del Campeonato Mundial / Argentina Falls in World Championship Final"
ES: 'En un partido de intensa lucha disputado en suelo uruguayo, Argentina sucumbio ante los anfitriones por 4 goles a 2' / EN: In an intensely contested match played on Uruguayan soil, Argentina succumbed to the hosts by a score of 4 goals to 2. The tournament, organised by FIFA, drew teams from across the Americas and Europe.
- Aug 1, 1930
El Espectador
Newspaper · Colombia
"Triunfo Celeste: Uruguay Reina en el Futbol Mundial"
Synthesized from period reporting - Uruguay's triumph in the first FIFA World Cup has cemented the nation's dominance in football and delivered unprecedented international prestige. The tournament's success has vindicated FIFA's ambitious vision for a truly global sporting competition.
- Aug 2, 1930
Le Figaro
Newspaper · France
"Le Championnat Mondial de Football Sacre en Uruguay"
FR: 'L'Uruguay s'impose champion du monde du football devant la Republique Argentine' / EN: Uruguay crowns itself world football champion ahead of the Argentine Republic. This inaugural tournament, conceived as a global showcase for the sport, has exceeded expectations with compelling matches and passionate crowds throughout.
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.First Fitna
en.wikipedia.org