Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was formed in 1904. And true to its nature of incompetence, it took a quarter of a century to organize the first World Cup. That seems fitting for football’s governing body. FIFA arrived to the decision to hold the first tournament in Uruguay because technically Uruguay were world champions winning the gold medal in the 1926 Olympics.

FIFA desperately needed European teams to take part in their first spectacle. However, most didn’t really fancy the high seas of the Atlantic. England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were ineligible because they withdrew from organization over an ‘amateur’ player payment dispute. Luckily, with a heavy heart, France, Belgium, and Yugoslavia agreed to make the trip. But the most enthusiastic European participant by far were Romania!

King Carol II, who’s life was marred with scandalous affairs and 2 broken marriages, wasn’t even King 36 days before the tournament. However on the 8th of June 1930 he forcibly reclaimed the throne from his brother Micheal. His first decree made it clear that he was on a mission, he granted general amnesty to all football players serving suspensions due to football offenses.

The soccerphile King had his eyes set on Uruguay, he was going there by hook or by crook! With only few days to spare he hit a stumbling block. Most of his best players worked for an English oil company that refused to grant the players leaves.

The King responded like any hot-blooded king would, he picked up the phone and threatened to close the operations of the English company. They begrudgedly agreed.

The Romanians, along with the French, Belgians, and Yugoslavs took their 2 week journey over the Atlantic on the Conte Verde. On their opening game, and in front of a paltry 300 spectators, they won Peru 3-1. The ‘Royals’ apparently weren’t exactly box office.

Next up the hosts, and before over 70,000 in the Estadio Centenario, Romania succumbed to both stage fright and superior skill and were swept 4-0. They were knocked out!

Carol’s adventure ended abruptly, but football historians credit him with igniting the nation’s ongoing passion for football. After all, if it werent’ for him, we wouldn’t have witnessed the exquisite talents of Hagi and Mutu!