<P> The first two World Cup matches took place simultaneously, and were won by France and the United States, who beat Mexico 4--1 and Belgium 3--0, respectively . The first goal in World Cup history was scored by Lucien Laurent of France . Four days later, the first World Cup hat - trick was achieved by Bert Patenaude of the U.S. in the Americans' 3--0 win against Paraguay . In the final, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4--2 in front of a crowd of 93,000 people in Montevideo to become the first nation to win a World Cup . </P> <P> The 1934 World Cup was hosted by Italy and was the first World Cup to include a qualification stage . Sixteen teams qualified for the tournament, a number which would be retained until the expansion of the finals tournament in 1982 . Uruguay, the titleholders from 1930, still upset about the poor European attendance at their World Cup in 1930, boycotted the 1934 World Cup . Bolivia and Paraguay were also absent, allowing Argentina and Brazil to progress to the finals in Italy without having to play any qualifying matches . Egypt became the first African team to compete, but lost to Hungary in the first round . Italy won the tournament, becoming the first European team to do so . </P> <P> The 1938 World Cup competition was also held in Europe (in France), much to the consternation of many South Americans, with Uruguay and Argentina boycotting . For the first time, the title holders and the host country were given automatic qualification . Following a play - off match against Latvia, Austria had officially qualified for the final round, but because of the Anschluss in April 1938 with Germany, the Austrian national team withdrew, with some Austrian players being added to the German squad (the combined German squad would be eliminated in the first round for the first time in the World Cup's history, with the second time happening eighty years later during the 2018 tournament). Austria's place was offered to England, but they declined . This left the finals with 15 nations competing . France hosted, but for the first time the hosts did not win the competition, as Italy retained their title, beating Hungary in the final . Polish striker Ernest Willimowski became the first player to score four goals in a World Cup game during Poland's 6--5 loss against Brazil; his record was later equalled by other players, but was bettered only 56 years later in the 1994 World Cup . </P> <P> The FIFA World Cup was planned to take place in 1942 . Germany officially applied to host the 1942 FIFA World Cup at the 23rd FIFA Congress on 13 August 1936 in Berlin . In June 1939, Brazil also applied to host the tournament . The beginning of European hostilities in late 1939 prompted further plans for the 1942 World Cup to be cancelled, before a host country was selected . The FIFA tournament did not take place . </P>

When was the first world cup trophy made