1938 FIFA World Cup

1938 FIFA World Cup
Henri Desmé (?–?) · Public domain · source
Tourney name	FIFA World Cup
Year	1938
Country	France
Dates	4–19 June 1938
Num teams	15
Venues	10
Champion	Italy
Second	Hungary
Third	Brazil
Fourth	Sweden
Matches	18
Goals	84
Attendance	374835

1938 FIFA World Cup The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third edition of the FIFA World Cup tournament, held in France between 4 and 19 June 1938. The competition featured national teams from across Europe, South America, and North America, culminating in Italy retaining the title won in 1934 under the management of Vittorio Pozzo. Political tensions in Europe and the aftermath of events such as the Austrian Anschluss influenced participation and format, while notable players like Silvio Piola, Leônidas da Silva, and György Sárosi starred.

Background and Qualification

Qualification for the tournament involved national associations affiliated to FIFA across CONMEBOL and UEFA-region federations, with several withdrawals and political complications affecting places. The Belgian and Dutch sides competed in qualifiers, while the Austria qualified but was disbanded after the Anschluss with Germany, leading to controversies involving the German Football Association. Spain were absent following the Spanish Civil War, and Ireland and Northern Ireland faced selector issues. United States qualification was impacted by administrative disputes, and Cuba nonetheless appeared, having featured in earlier regional tournaments such as the Central American and Caribbean Games qualifiers.

Venues and Organization

The tournament used stadia across Paris, Marseille, Lille, Nantes, Saint-Étienne, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Reims, and Le Havre, employing municipal arenas and national facilities renovated after the 1932 Summer Olympics and various regional projects. The FFF coordinated logistics with FIFA officials including match commissioners and referees drawn from England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Italy, and Argentina. Transportation relied on rail networks like the SNCF and coastal routes, while accommodation involved hotels hosting delegations from Italy, Hungary, Brazil, and others. Security and crowd management referenced municipal police forces and coordination with prefectures influenced by events in Europe.

Tournament Summary and Results

The straight knockout format saw 16 slots reduced to 15 participating teams after withdrawals, producing single-elimination ties from the first round to the final. Defending champions Italy advanced through rounds under coach Vittorio Pozzo and captain Giuseppe Meazza's legacy, while Hungary reached the final featuring stars such as György Sárosi and Tibor Kocsis. Brazil showcased Leônidas da Silva and reached a third-place match against Sweden, who were led by players including Gunnar Gren. The final in Paris saw Italy defeat Hungary to secure a second consecutive title, an achievement later matched by few national sides.

Teams and Squads

Participating delegations included Italy, Hungary, Brazil, Sweden, Czechoslovakia qualifiers, Switzerland, Cuba, Poland, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Belgium, Dutch East Indies (with limited involvement), and the United States. Squads featured prominent club players from teams such as Juventus F.C., AC Milan, Ferencvárosi TC, Fluminense FC, Santos FC, IFK Göteborg, R.S.C. Anderlecht, and Racing Club de Paris. Managers and tacticians included Vittorio Pozzo, Alfréd Schaffer, and national selectors influenced by interwar coaching trends and formations derived from club systems like the Metodo and WM formation.

Matches and Key Moments

Early rounds included dramatic fixtures: Switzerland versus Germany featured contested refereeing and crowd interest, while Brazil produced a high-scoring win powered by Leônidas da Silva's dribbling and finishing. Italy's quarter-finals and semi-finals displayed tactical discipline and set-piece proficiency anchored by players from AS Roma and Inter Milan. The final in Paris included controversial calls and a competitive display between Italy and Hungary with decisive goals by Silvio Piola and supporting contributions from midfielders associated with clubs like Pro Vercelli and Bologna FC 1909. Notable moments included a replayed match due to a draw, goal-line incidents, and extraordinary saves by goalkeepers from Sweden and Brazil.

Statistics and Awards

The 18 matches produced 84 goals, with leading scorers including Leônidas da Silva, György Sárosi, and Silvio Piola among the tournament's top marksmen. Individual awards recognized standout performances by forwards and goalkeepers, while team statistics highlighted goal differentials, defensive records, and attendance figures across stadia in France. The triumph consolidated Vittorio Pozzo's reputation, placing him among successful managers alongside figures associated with International football history. Records from the tournament influenced later editions regarding format changes, seeding, and qualification handled by FIFA committees.

Category:FIFA World Cup tournaments Category:1938 in association football Category:1938 in France