World Cup 1930 Uruguay Facts and Statistics

FIFA president Jules Rimet’s dream of a truly international soccer championship was realized in Uruguay in the association’s centennial year. Only four European teams participated in that first tournament though, and the final was an all South American affair, with the hosts facing rivals Argentina. Although they had trailed at the half, Uruguay came back to win 4-2 in the specially built Estadio Centenario to become the first ever official soccer world champions. And for those who think that soccer is “new” to the United States, note that the US national team finished in third place in that inaugural competition.

• Winner: Uruguay
• Runners-Up: Argentina
• Third: United States
• Fourth: Yugoslavia
• Golden Shoe: Guillermo Stabile (Argentina) with 8 goals