The Evolution Of The World Cup Football

Football is one of the most ancient games to be played on the face of the Earth. It traces its origin back to the Han Dynasty of some two thousand one hundred years ago, when the Chinese warriors set the football in motion with a game called Tzu Chu (kick-ball) devised basically for physical fitness training. Variations spread to Japan where they played Kemeni. In Indo China it took the form of a funeral ritual with a fierce sacrificial bull’s head being booted over a dead chieftain’s body. The game then spread to Italy where the Romans practiced ‘Harpastum’ and then to Britain where ‘soccer ‘was played.

The factors that led to soccer’s world wide appeal- were that it was fundamentally simple in conception and could be played in all climates. The game has been followed by mountaineers 16000 feet up Everest, played on ice by Capt. Scotts’ men in the Antarctic. British soldiers practiced football during the First World War. But officially the first international football matchwas played by England and SCOTLANDIN 1870. But still there was no competition that could bring all the football playing nations together and the need for one grew larger and larger.

As early as 1920, FIFA- the Federation International de Football Association had approved the idea of an open World Cup. Frenchman Jules Remit whose name went on the trophy and Henry Delauner pushed the idea through a vote. 1930 was chosen as the year for the inception of the World Cp… but where ???, Five applications were received from Italy, Holland, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay would pay all travelling and hotel accommodation expenses and would begin work on a new 1,00,000 seater stadium. An offer FIFA just couldn’t refuse.

The four other applicants promptly refused to complete. Claiming that it was too far and expensive to go. Only 13 participants took part n the first ever World Cup which was later bound to become the biggest event in any single sport in the history of man.

Europe was less than enthusiastic about the whole affair. Only France, Yugoslavia and Belgium wound up making the trip. The United States consisting mainly of English and Scottish players were the surprise entry. And so, to the big kick off on the 13th of July, 1930. Montevideo was flooded due to the unseasonal rains. Uruguay and Argentina, two of the finest teams in the world were tipped to capture the glory. Uruguay was the Olympic Champions in 1924 and 1928 and Argentina was the runners up in 1928.
Uruguay was treating the occasion with seriousness in the year of its hundredth anniversary of independence. France and Mexico played the inaugural match and although France lost their goal keeper Alex the pot that was kicked in the jaw, France coasted home quite comfortably with a 4-1 victory. And so the World Cup had come underway and the dream had become reality. Two days later France was at the centre of the most controversial match of the tournament. Trailing by a goal, Marcel Langiller of France broke through the Argentine defense and shot at the goal. The Brazilian referee Almeida Rigor blew the final whistle… with six minutes to go. The French argued and the referee later agreed to continue. The French players tried for an equalizer but to no avail. Argentina later moved on to the finals beating the United States to meet Uruguay as expected who had disposed off Rumania, Peru and Yugoslavia. Argentina had chartered ten packet boats to take the spectators from Buenos Aires across the River Plate. Both teams were put under 24 hour guard and the referee was not confirmed due to fears for his life. Uruguay won 4-2 in the finals and Montevideo was transformed into a city of unparalleled delight. Streets were alive with rejoicement and the national flag was hoisted up in many places. The next day was declared a national holiday. Back in Buenos Aires there were riots. Mobs stoned the Uruguay an Embassy and later relations were broken off between the two countries. But Uruguay was still the World Champions. The Jules Remit Trophy was safely in the hand of the tournament’s host.

Article By: Gigi K. Mathew,St.Alberts College