1930 FIFA World Cup French entered at the personal intervention of Rimet, but neither France's star defender Manuel Anatol nor the team's regular coach Gaston Barreau could be persuaded to make the trip. The Belgians participated at the instigation of German-Belgian FIFA vice-president Rodolphe Seeldrayers. The Romanians boarded the SS "Conte Verde" at Genoa, the French were picked up at Villefranche-sur-Mer on 21 June 1930; and the Belgians embarked at Barcelona. The "Conte Verde" carried Rimet, the trophy and the three designated European referees: the Belgians Jean Langenus and Henri Christophe, along with Thomas Balway, a Parisian who may have been English. The Brazilian
Football in South America to Uruguay yet do not forget. Additionally wanted it this way express his loyalty to Jules Rimet, the initiator of the first edition in 1930. Argentina decided after his failed candidacy for a boycott. Uruguay again decided not to participate. Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and Suriname withdrew from the qualifier, which Brazil and Cuba were assured of a place in the main tournament. Cuba, a country that had not mixed a few times in the world of football in 1938, surprised by maintaining the strong Romanian team to a 3-3 tie. In the second game against the Romanians