Uruguay may have won the FIFA World Cup twice, but anyone watching the La Celeste play may have noticed something unusual: their iconic sky-blue jersey proudly displays four stars on the chest. While stars on football jerseys usually signify World Cup victories, Uruguay’s four stars have left fans and pundits curious. How did this two-time world champion end up with four stars?
The story begins with Uruguay’s early dominance in international football. The country won the first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1930, which they also hosted, and then triumphed again in Brazil in 1950. Traditionally, national teams add a star for each World Cup victory: Brazil, for instance, boasts five stars, while Italy and Germany each have four. By this standard, Uruguay would have only two.
However, the extra stars on Uruguay’s jersey relate to a different era of global football: the Olympic Games. Before the World Cup became the primary competition, football at the 1924 Paris Olympics and the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics represented the pinnacle of international football. Uruguay won gold in both tournaments. At the time, FIFA oversaw the Olympic football events, and these victories were widely recognised as equivalent to world championships.
The Olympic context is essential. Before 1924, only amateur players could compete in the Olympics, but by 1928 a new rule limited participation to players under 23. These tournaments were exceptions to the later professional restrictions, effectively giving Uruguay a legitimate claim to four major international titles. When FIFA introduced a 2010 rule allowing stars only for World Cup victories, Uruguay cleverly navigated the regulation. The Uruguayan Football Association incorporated the four stars as part of their official emblem, symbolising two World Cups and two Olympic golds.
This decision has sparked controversy. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Puma, the national team’s kit sponsor, reportedly suggested removing the extra stars following FIFA’s guidance. The Uruguayan Football Association, however, firmly refused, insisting that the four stars reflect the nation’s footballing heritage. UEFA documentation supporting the legitimacy of the four stars is reportedly ready, further cementing Uruguay’s stance.
In short, Uruguay’s four-star jersey is not a fluke or a publicity stunt; it represents a blend of historical achievement, Olympic triumphs, and national pride. Even if only two stars correspond to FIFA World Cups, the legacy of La Celeste extends well beyond the trophy cabinet.