Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.
The tournament took place from July 13 to July 30, 1930, with every match played in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital. FIFA selected Uruguay partly because the country was celebrating the centenary of its first constitution and because its national team had won the football title at the 1928 Olympic Games.
Thirteen teams entered the inaugural competition, including seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America. Long travel across the Atlantic discouraged several European nations from participating. Most matches were played at the newly built Estadio Centenario.
Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 in the final before 68,346 spectators, becoming the first world champion. The match was especially significant because both finalists were South American neighbors. Argentina also reached the final in 1930, but Italy did not win the World Cup until 1934, while Brazil’s first title came in 1958.