This is Not the First World Cup Referee
The Claim
The image depicts the first referee for the first World Cup tournament in history.
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Emerging story
An image circulating on social media purports to show the first referee for the first World Cup match.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has investigated the claim and found it to be misleading.
The image does not show the first referee in the World Cup’s history.
The image dates back to a football match that brought together Austria and Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 29, 1933.
According to Getty Images, the image was taken during a match that ended in a 2-2 draw and shows the Austrian footballer Walter Nausch (1907 - 1957), Belgian referee John Langenus, and Scottish footballer David Meiklejohn (1900 - 1959).
The 1930 FIFA World Cup Final
The Belgian referee John Langenus was designated as a referee for several matches during the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, including the final match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. However, he was not the first referee in the tournament's history.
The First FIFA World Cup Referee
The Uruguayan Domingo Lombardi was the first referee in the FIFA World Cup’s history. He was designated to referee the opening match between France and Mexico in the 1930 FIFA World Cup.
In 1930, the first FIFA World Cup tournament was held in Uruguay from 13 to 30 July. The final match brought together Uruguay and Argentina.
The Uruguayan team won 4-2 over its counterpart in the first championship in the history of the World Cup.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The claim circulates as Qatar hosts the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. The tournament that brought together 32 football teams from all over the world will last until December 18.
Misbar has addressed several claims misattributed to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
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