Cerebralcrap

In 1930 teams from Britian could not be considered because they were not members of FIFA. They did not enter the competition until 1950.

Also in 1930, the earlier matches were played on local club local grounds as the main Centenario Stadium was still unfinished. This was not used until the final stages.

In the first World Cup match, France beat Mexico 4 - 1. Lucien Laurent had the distinction of scoring the first World Cup goal.

The first player to be sent off in the tournament was Peru caption Mariode las Casas in a Group 3 match against Romania.

Argentina were the first nation to score 6 goals when they beat Mexico 6 - 3 in 1930. During that game referee Saucedio of Bolivia awarded the first World Cup penalty.

The first referee to officiate in a final was John Langenus of Belgium.

Uruguay refused to defend their title in Italy 1934 as a protest against the European nations’ snubbing of the 1930 Tournament.

1. A record 1,74,000 came to the Maracana Stadium in Rio on July 16, 1950 (unofficial sources quote the figure as over 2,00,000) to watch Brazil take on Uruguay in the final league tie. With the score at 1-1, Ghiggia broke the hearts of the home supporters by scoring the winning goal 11 minutes from time.

2. A unique record was set by Mexico’s goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal in terms of World cup appearances. He represented his country at five World cups between 1950 and 1966. Eight players have made it four times, but Germany’s Lothar Matthaeus went one better at France 1998 and equalled Carbajal’s record. Matthaeus has played in a total of 25 World cup matches - another record.