The readings for this week showcased that the first few World Cups established what would become commonplace in future World Cups, which is its usage by nations for political gains.
It started with the Uruguay World Cup in 1930, but this particular story started decades before that with international play in South America. This international play led to a conference between the nations to establish the CONMEBOL, which was originally based in Montevideo, Uruguay. This established Uruguay as the center for Soccer in South America, which would later be expanded on with the 1930 World Cup.
The reasons for hosting the World Cup expand beyond just being the “center for Soccer.” Yes, they did want to prove themselves to be a soccer powerhouse, which they did with two Olympic gold medals in the sport, and being the first team to not only host, but win a FIFA World Cup, but it also extends to promoting themselves as a nation as a whole. Prior to hosting the World Cup, and around the same time as the creation of CONMEBOL, Uruguay was going through political reformations, and while they weren’t doing as well economically, they were determined to showcase themselves on the global stage.
Political gains also extended to the 1934—and to an extent, the 1938—World Cups. This being with the fascist nation of Italy. Italy wanted to use the global spotlight to promote their system, and their nation. With hosting the World Cup, and of course playing in it, they were able to showcase their nation as a powerhouse (even though they played incredibly dirty and faced allegations that the referees were on their side), which they then used for their own political aspirations, and justification for invading the nation of Ethiopia in 1935.
All in all, the readings established that the development of international play in Soccer has been used for political gains since its very beginnings. With the establishment of CONMEBOL, and the hosting of the first FIFA World Cup in Uruguay, to the usage of the World Cup for the benefit of Fascist Italy, international play in Soccer has always been political.
By Tommy Oneto
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