Competition
World Cup
The first-ever World Cup hosts have performed beyond expectations for a century, but how many times have they claimed the title?
When you make a purchase through links on our site, we may receive an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works .
Copy link
X
When Montevideo stages its centenary match as one of three South American host cities for the 2030 World Cup, it will mark the second occasion a World Cup has been held in Uruguay.
Despite being the 10th most populous nation in South America, Uruguay has outperformed many larger countries over the World Cup's 100-year history . Automatic qualification as a co-host in 2030 means Uruguay will have participated in 16 of 24 tournaments, even though its population today is only 3.5 million.
They have not missed a World Cup since 2006, advancing to the semi-finals in South Africa in 2010 and the quarter-finals in Russia in 2018.
Play our free match predictor and win £1k
Has Uruguay won the World Cup?
Uruguay were semi-final losers in 1954 and 1970, but they boast two World Cup triumphs. La Celeste secured the first World Cup as hosts in 1930, defeating neighbours Argentina 4-2 in the championship match.
They overcame Romania and Peru in an initial group stage before scoring six against Yugoslavia in the semi-finals. All four of their matches were held at the historic Centenario in Montevideo, where the 2030 centenary fixture will take place.
Where is the next World Cup 2030?
How to watch Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay for FREE
Uruguay squad World Cup 2026: Marcelo Bielsa names his players for Saudi Arabia opener
Uruguay won two consecutive World Cups in which they participated. They qualified automatically as champions in 1934 but declined to travel to Italy due to the limited number of teams that journeyed from Europe to South America four years earlier.
In 1938, they joined Argentina in boycotting the World Cup in France following a contentious incident involving Peru at the 1936 Olympic Games. War prevented any World Cup in 1942 or 1946 before Uruguay returned to the competition in Brazil in 1950.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, delivered to your inbox every week.
Thus, they claimed their second tournament 20 years after their first. The 1950 'final' was not actually a final at all. Four group stage winners – Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and Sweden – faced each other in a second group, with the top team crowned world champions.
As it turned out, the final match at the famous Maracana was a winner-takes-all contest akin to a final. Fans in Rio de Janeiro expected a Brazil victory and a first World Cup title for the three-time and reigning Copa America champions.
Uruguay's 2-1 comeback win was a shock that impacted Brazilian football in a way only Brazilian football can be impacted. The de facto final became known as Maracanazo .
There have been lean periods for Uruguay. They failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, 1994 and 1998, and 2006. They have been eliminated in the group stage four times.
Yet Uruguay's overall record, highlighted by two wins but also marked by three semi-finals and two other runs to the quarter-finals, is impressive. Should they somehow achieve a third victory, it would be their greatest accomplishment by far.
Where do Uruguay rank among the great nations of world football? Share your thoughts in the comments below...
Chris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specializing in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review . He supports Coventry Sphinx.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
1 Who is the referee for Iran vs New Zealand?
2 The biggest lost bet of the 2026 World Cup just landed after Spain vs Cape Verde
3 Gary Lineker promises to host The Rest Is Football in his pants if one thing happens at the 2026 World Cup
4 Who is the referee for Saudi Arabia v Uruguay?
5 Chelsea look to scupper Manchester United transfer as they identify Marc Cucurella replacement: report