Thirteen countries took part in the first World Cup finals which were held in Uruguay in recognition of their victories in the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games.
FIFA had planned to stage an international competition from the time it was founded, in 1904. In reality, it was to be 26 years before the World Cup began and, when it did, it was rather with a whimper than a bang. Because of the long distances involved, only four European teams travelled to South America, and they sailed together on the same boat.
Belgium, France, Yugoslavia and Romania made the trip and Romania were there only because of the intervention of King Carol who asked companies, whose employees were chosen for the squad, to give them time off work.
Although several matches were poorly supported, the final between neighbouring South American rivals Uruguay and Argentina on July 30th attracted a crowd of 93,000. Uruguay won 4-2.
FIFA had planned to stage an international competition from the time it was founded, in 1904. In reality, it was to be 26 years before the World Cup began and, when it did, it was rather with a whimper than a bang. Because of the long distances involved, only four European teams travelled to South America, and they sailed together on the same boat.
Belgium, France, Yugoslavia and Romania made the trip and Romania were there only because of the intervention of King Carol who asked companies, whose employees were chosen for the squad, to give them time off work.
Although several matches were poorly supported, the final between neighbouring South American rivals Uruguay and Argentina on July 30th attracted a crowd of 93,000. Uruguay won 4-2.
