Uruguay Hosts the First World Cup and Wins It

At halftime in the first World Cup final, the hosts were losing. Argentina led Uruguay 2–1 at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario on July 30, 1930. The tournament that had brought thirteen national teams to a single city still had an uncertain ending. Uruguay reversed the score in the second half and won 4–2. What became a familiar kind of national celebration was happening around a competition whose future had not yet been established.

Uruguay was a small country with a major football reputation. Its team had won Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928, demonstrating that the international game did not belong only to Europe. Hosting in 1930 also coincided with the centenary of the country’s first constitution. Football and national commemoration supported each other: the tournament offered an international audience, while the anniversary gave the hosts a reason to build a setting grand enough for the occasion.