Uruguay is extremely passionate about football, as the nation is one of the few that can boast of lifting more than one World Cup. The South American country hosted and won the inaugural tournament in 1930, and staged one of history's biggest upsets 20 years later, by shocking Brazil in the final in Rio. With all that history in mind, a push is now underway to co-host the competition's centennial edition in 2030, as CGTN's Joel Richards reports.

With its rich tradition and two World Cup titles, Uruguay is one of the great teams in international football. Every four years, this small nation comes to a standstill.

DARIO RODRIGUEZ FORMER URUGUAY DEFENDER "The tournament always brings up a lot of patriotism here. The World Cup virtually becomes a state matter."

Dario Rodriguez was the left back for Uruguay in the 2002 World Cup. His goal against Denmark is often ranked among the best World Cup goals of all time.

"Playing in a World Cup is indescribable. I played in important games in the UEFA Champions League, and in the Copa Libertadores, but the level of adrenaline at a World Cup is unique."

Like many Uruguayans, Rodriguez is excited by the team's chances in Russia. This will a fourth World Cup for Oscar Tabarez, despite El Maestro's ill health. The widely respected coach has selected a group of young players to complement world-class players like Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani, and captain Diego Godin. But Uruguay has World Cup ambitions beyond Russia 2018.

JOEL RICHARDS MONTEVIDEO "Uruguay, together with Argentina and Paraguay, are proposing a bid for the 2030 World Cup. While it is still many years away already there is controversy and a debate over what should happen to this stadium, the Centenario, which hosted the 1930 World Cup."

There is wide support for Uruguay to host the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup. But this old stadium is largely unchanged from when it was first built, and many supporters want it kept that way for its history. Dario Rodriguez, though, doesn't see modernizing as a problem.

"The Centenario is always going to be the stadium where Uruguay won the first World Cup."

Journalist Juan Carlos Scelza, who has covered every World Cup since 1990 for radio and television, says he doesn't his country winning the 2030 bid in any case.

JUAN CARLOS SCELZA JOURNALIST "The problem here is the difference between utopia and reality. I see that as a utopia. If you look around the world, and I have been lucky enough to travel and see other stadiums, and if you see the World Cups, and look at the requirements that FIFA has for stadiums to host a World Cup, I don't see that here, nor in Argentina, nor in Paraguay."

Uruguay will continue to work on its bid to host the 2030 tournament with its neighbors, but the debate over its famous stadium will be put aside for the coming month. Joel Richards, CGTN, Montevideo.