The idea of the footballing
nations playing in a World Championship was first suggested at the first
meeting of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
in Paris in 1904. However, it was not until a 1928 FIFA meeting that it
was decided to establish the World Cup. The trophy was named after the
FIFA president Jules Rimet.
The FIFA controversially decided to hold the first World Cup in Uruguay
in 1930. This meant a long and costly journey for European nations and
at first they all rejected the invitation to take part. Jules Rimet
eventually persuaded teams from Belgium, France, Romania, and Yugoslavia
to participate. They were joined by seven from South America and two
from North America. Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final.
In 1934 the World Cup tournament was held in Italy. Once again the
Football Association refused to take part. So also did the World Cup
holders Uruguay, who had been upset by so few European nations playing
in their country in 1930. A total of 32 nations entered the competition,
and after qualification, 16 teams participated in the finals tournament.
Italy beat Czechoslovakia in the final, 2-1.
France was chosen as hosts for the 1938 competition. Uruguay and
Argentina refused to enter the competition as it was the second
tournament in a row to be played in Europe. England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland continued to boycott the competition. Spain was forced
to withdraw because of the Spanish Civil War. Sixteen countries were due
to take part but the competition lost another country when Arthur
Seyss-Inquart, the leader of the Austrian Nazi Party, invited the German
Army to occupy Austria and proclaimed union with Germany on 13th March,
1938. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4-2 in the final.
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