After football was dropped from the program for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, FIFA  ( Fédération Internationale de Football Association ) President Jules Rimet helped to organize an international tournament in 1930. Much to the dismay of European footballers, Uruguay was chosen to host the inaugural World Cup Championship for men’s national association football teams.

The first World Cup was the only one without qualification. Every country affiliated with FIFA was invited to compete, and given a deadline of 28 February 1930 to accept. It took place in Uruguay from 13 to 30 July, 1930. All  18 matches were played by the 13 teams  in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, the majority at the Estadio Centenario, which was built for the tournament. 13 teams (7 from South America, 4 from Europe and 2 from North America) entered the tournament.

Argentina, Uruguay, the United States and Yugoslavia each won their respective groups to qualify for the semi-finals. In the final, hosts and pre-tournament favourites Uruguay defeated Argentina 4–2 and became the first nation to win the World Cup.

The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning the FIFA World Cup. The final was played at the Estadio Centenario on 30 July. Lucien Laurent of France scored the first goal in World Cup history on July 13, 1930 while US goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas posted the first official “clean sheet” in the tournament. With eight goals, Guillermo Stábile was the top scorer in the tournament.