The first football World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930
Thirteen teams, one host chosen for its centenary - and the birth of the world's most-watched sporting event.
The inaugural FIFA World Cup kicked off in Uruguay on 13 July 1930, the brainchild of FIFA president Jules Rimet, whose name the trophy would later carry. Uruguay was picked as host: the country was marking the centenary of its first constitution, and its team were reigning Olympic champions.
Only 13 teams entered - most European sides balked at the long sea voyage during the Great Depression - so there were no qualifiers, the only time that has ever happened. On 30 July 1930, the hosts beat Argentina 4-2 in the final at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario to become the first world champions.
Held every four years since (bar wartime gaps), the tournament has grown into what is widely called the most-watched event on Earth.
Around 5 billion people engaged with the 2022 edition, and its final drew close to 1.5 billion viewers.
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