sports
From National Pride to Fascism: How Countries Have Used the World Cup to Build Identity
Every World Cup, from Uruguay and Italy in 1930 and 1934, to Russia and Qatar in 2018 and 2022, has been to an extent about presenting an image to the world.
TL;DR
- Uruguay's foreign minister and a diplomat in Switzerland orchestrated Uruguay's entry into FIFA and the 1924 Olympic football tournament for diplomatic legitimacy.
- Uruguay's success in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics generated significant international admiration and boosted national prestige.
- The 1930 World Cup was hosted by Uruguay to coincide with the centenary of its constitution, featuring the construction of the new Centenario stadium.
- Uruguay's victory in the first World Cup final against Argentina was a moment of national celebration, occurring decades after civil wars.
- Benito Mussolini's Italy used the 1934 World Cup as an overt projection of fascist power, focusing on both winning and hosting to validate the regime.
- Host nations have consistently used the World Cup as a showcase for national values, identity, and supposed pre-eminence, a pattern established by Uruguay and Italy and continued in later tournaments.