First World Cup?

European teams travel to the first World Cup .

In 1930 the first World Cup tournament was held in Uruguay. 

Only four European teams made the long sea journey. Can you guess who they were? 

And which country travelled first class?

1930 World Cup: Fun Facts (audio)

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What happened the last time Brazil held a World Cup? Why did only 13 teams compete?

Brazil line up for 1950 World Cup

For obvious reasons the 1942 and 1946 World Cups were cancelled. Both Germany and Brazil had optimistically bid for the 1942 World Cup. Unsurprisingly the Germans were not in the running for the first post-war tournament. Brazil bid again in in 1946 and were successful.

So after a 12 year break FIFA invited 16 countries to play in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. These invitations were not greeted with great enthusiasm. Many countries could not or would not participate in the tournament now officially named the Jules Rimet Trophy. 

None of the eastern European countries felt strong enough to compete while Argentina was unhappy that they were not the hosts.

The British teams agreed to compete. England qualified as British Champions but withdrew. Turkey and India also withdrew - in India's case because FIFA did not allow them to play in bare feet.

FIFA then invited France, Ireland and Portugal. These days any national team would be on the first available plane - but  all declined. 

For the remarkable story of what happened at the tournament go here: 

World Cup History Quiz * 1930 World Cup * Football Teaching Pack

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Pele Predictions

Pele is arguably the greatest player of all time - he is certainly the worst forecaster as you can see here

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How many European teams played in the first World Cup?

Only four European teams competed in the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930: France, Romania, Belgium & Yugoslavia And they travelled there together on the same ship.


King Carol of Romania personally paid for his players, who travelled in the third class section (luckily there were no iceburgs or they may not have got the lifeboats!)

Only the French team travelled first class, only joining players from the other nations to train on the ship's deck.

There is no mention of how the WAGS (wives & girlfriends) travelling - I can't see the modern ones accepting third class tickets, somehow.

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