The first World Cup

On 26 May 1928, at a meeting in Amsterdam, the Fifa congress decided that a new tournament open to all its members should be played. A year later in Barcelona it was agreed that Uruguay, the Olympic champions and the era's footballing superpower, should celebrate 100 years of independence by hosting the first World Cup the following year.
Only 13 nations took part in the inaugural tournament, with a majority of nine coming from South America. All games were played in three stadiums in Montevideo and, as expected, the South American countries dominated, although the European teams did not disgrace themselves.

Some 100,000 fans packed into the Centenario Stadium for the final on 30 July to see Argentina throw away a 2-1 half-time lead as Uruguay ran out 4-2 winners.

Jules Rimet, the Fifa president and brains behind the World Cup, presented the trophy to winning captain Jose Nazassi and football's greatest tournament was born.

After a pre-match row over which ball to use for the final, it is believed the Argentine ball was used in one half and the Uruguayan ball in the other. Rumour has it that this is how the phrase "a game of two halves" evolved.

World Cup history - vocabulary

Fifa congress
The international organisation that controls football is Fifa, which stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association. A congress is a meeting.

era
This word is used to talk about a period of time in the past when something or someone is important.

hosting
If a country hosts the World Cup, then the competition is being played in that country.

inaugural
This adjective means the very first. It is mainly used when talking about special events and competitions.

dominated
If a team dominated it means that they were much stronger and they did much better than the others.

did not disgrace themselves
This expression is used to describe good performances by a team that isn't very strong. Although they are a weaker team and didn't win, they did play well.

packed into
This expression shows that the stadium was completely full, there was no extra space.

brains behind
When someone is described as the brains behind something, then it is that person's idea or plan.

row
Another word for an argument or disagreement.

Rumour has it
This expression means that what is being told is not a fact, but is what people believe to be true

For each question, choose the one correct answer.

1: When was the first World Cup played?
a 1928
b 1929
c 1930
d 1931

2: Where was the first World Cup played?
a Holland
b Spain
c Brazil
d Uruguay

3: Which of these statements about the first World Cup is not true?
a Most of the teams came from South America.
b The South American teams were the strongest.
c All the matches were played in the same stadium.
d The European teams did not play badly.

4: What was the score after the first 45 minutes of the final?
a Argentina 2 - 1 Uruguay
b Argentina 1 - 2 Uruguay
c Argentina 4 - 2 Uruguay
d Argentina 2 - 4 Uruguay

5: What is the best definition of the phrase "a game of two halves"?
a A different ball should be used in each half of the match
b Anything can happen in football
c Players shouldn't argue with the referee
d Each team should use its own ball for part of the match