[Ads-l] Antedating of "world cup"

[dave@wilton.net]

The OED has 1934 for both general use and for FIFA's competition.
 
The earliest I've found specifically in reference to the FIFA championship is:
 
Associated Press. “U.S. Sends Soccer Team to Europe.” Milwaukee Journal (Wisconsin), 23 January 1929, 19/3. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers.

"At a meeting Tuesday of the national and international games and foreign relations committee of the United States Football association it was decided to send a soccer team to represent the United States in the world cup competition of the Federation Internationale de Football association. The games will be staged in Europe in 1930."
 
 
Here are some earlier uses for other competitions. Not all of these are in the phrase or official name "world cup."
 
“Billiards.” Gazette (Montreal, Quebec), 28 May 1879, 3/4. ProQuest: Newspapers.

"Slosson has withdrawn his $250 forfeit money put up March the 24th, when he issued his challenge to Maurice Vignaux to play billiards in Paris under the Collender Challenge Cup rules. This action is taken because Slosson would now find it inconvenient to go to Paris, as a match with Vignaux could not be played until after July the 25th, the limit stipulated in the challenge, and also because intends to again challenge Schaefer at an early day to play for the monarch championship of the world cup."
 
 
“Sports and Pastimes: Miscellaneous Notes.” Sunday Herald (Boston, Massachusetts), 26 February 1882, 12/3. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers.

"Adam Bogardus is to hold a series of championship shooting matches, May 30 and 31, and June 1, and offers three trophies for competition, namely: A cup emblematic of the championship of the world at pigeon shooting; a badge emblematic of the championship of America at pigeon shooting; and a badge emblematic of the championship of America at glass-ball shooting. The championship of the world cup will be shot for under Hurlingham rules, at 50 birds each."
 
 
“Base Ball.” Kansas City Star (Missouri), 15 October 1888, 2/6. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers.

"Manager Watkins thinks the Giants will win the world’s cup."
 
 
“Yachts and Yachtsmen.” Providence Journal (Rhode Island), 3 August 1890, 3/8. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers.

"Aug. 16.— […] Queen City, 1st class and 'World' cup."
 
 
“The Poultry Show.” Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 10 February 1894, 2/6. Readex: America’s Historical Newspapers.
 
"The World Cup for the best average pair of birds was by games owned by A. E. [Klunk?], of New York State, who also won the $[35?] special for the best bird in the show."
 
 
 

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