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1938 FIFA World Cup

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1938 FIFA World Cup
Coupe du Monde 1938
File:WorldCup1938poster.jpg
Official poster
Tournament details
Host countryFrance
Dates4 June – 19 June (16 days)
Teams15 (from 4 confederations)
Venue(s)10 (in 10 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Italy (2nd title)
Runners-up Hungary
Third place Brazil
Fourth place Sweden
Tournament statistics
Matches played18
Goals scored84 (4.67 per match)
Attendance375,700 (20,872 per match)
Top scorer(s)Brazil Leônidas (7 goals)
← 1934
1950 →

The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 to 19 June 1938. Italy retained the championship (and thus became the only team to have won two FIFA World Cups under the same coach, or Vittorio Pozzo), beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.

Host selection

Main article: FIFA World Cup hosts

France was chosen as hosts by FIFA in Berlin on August 13, 1936. France defeated Argentina and Germany in the first round of voting. The decision caused outrage in South America where it was believed that the venue would alternate between the two continents; instead, it was the second tournament in a row to be played in Europe. This was the last World Cup to be staged before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Qualification

Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification

Because of anger over the decision to hold a second successive World Cup in Europe, neither Uruguay nor Argentina entered the competition, while Spain became the first country to be prevented from competing because of it being at war.

It was the first time that the hosts (France) and the title holders (Italy) qualified automatically. Title holders were given an automatic entry into the World Cup until 2006 when this was abolished.

Of the 14 remaining places, eleven were allocated to Europe, two to the Americas, and one to Asia. As a result, only three non-European nations took part: Brazil, Cuba and the Dutch East Indies. This is the smallest ever number of teams from outside the host continent to compete at a FIFA World Cup.

Austria qualified for the World Cup, but after qualification was complete, the Anschluss united Austria with Germany. Austria subsequently withdrew from the tournament, with some Austrian players joining the German squad (not including Austrian star player Matthias Sindelar, who refused to play for the unified team).[1] Latvia was the runner-up in Austria's qualification group, but was not invited to participate; instead Austria's place remained empty, and Sweden, which would have been Austria's initial opponent, progressed directly to the second-round by default.

This tournament saw the first, and as of 2016 the only, participation in a World Cup tournament from Cuba and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It also saw the World Cup debuts of Poland and Norway. Poland and the Netherlands would not reappear at a finals tournament until 1974, while Norway would not qualify for another World Cup finals until 1994. A unified Germany team would not appear again until 1994.

Format

The knockout format from 1934 was retained. If a match was tied after 90 minutes, then 30 minutes of extra time were played. If the score was still tied after extra time, the match would be replayed. This was the last of the two World Cup tournaments that used a straight knockout format.

Summary

Qualifying countries and their results

Germany, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Cuba and Brazil were seeded for draw taking place in Paris, on 5 March 1938.[2]

Five of the seven first round matches required extra time to break the deadlock; two games still went to a replay. In one replay, Cuba advanced to the next round at the expense of Romania. In the other replay, Germany, which had led 1–0 in the first game against Switzerland, led 2–0 but eventually was beaten 2–4. This loss, which took place in front of a hostile, bottle-throwing crowd in Paris, was blamed by German coach Sepp Herberger on a defeatist attitude from the five Austrian players he had been forced to include; a German journalist later commented that "Germans and Austrians prefer to play against each other even when they're in the same team".[3] This remains, as of 2014, the only time in World Cup history in which Germany failed to advance to the final eight (they did not enter in 1930 and had been re-admitted only after the 1950 WC).

Sweden advanced directly to the quarter-finals as a result of Austria's withdrawal, and they proceeded to beat Cuba 8–0. The hosts, France, were beaten by the holders, Italy, and Switzerland were seen off by Hungary. Czechoslovakia took Brazil to extra time in a notoriously feisty match in Bordeaux before succumbing in a replay; the South Americans proved too strong for the depleted Czechoslovak side (both Oldřich Nejedlý and František Plánička had suffered broken bones in the first game) and won 2–1. This was the last ever match to be replayed in a World Cup, with all winners of replay matches in 1938 having been eliminated in the next round.

Hungary destroyed Sweden in one of the semi-finals 5–1, while Italy and Brazil had the first of their many important World Cup clashes in the other. The Brazilians rested their star player Leônidas confident that they would qualify for the final, but the Italians won 2–1. Brazil topped Sweden 4–2 for third place.

Rumour has it, before the finals Benito Mussolini was to have sent a telegram to the team, saying "Vincere o morire!" (literally translated as "Win or die!"). This should not have been meant as a literal threat, but instead just an encouragement to win. However, no record remains of such a telegram, and World Cup player Pietro Rava said, when interviewed, "No, no, no, that's not true. He sent a telegram wishing us well, but no never 'win or die'."[4]

The final itself took place at the Stade Olympique de Colombes in Paris. Vittorio Pozzo's Italian side took the lead early, but Hungary equalised within two minutes. The Italians took the lead again shortly after, and by the end of the first half were leading the Hungarians 3–1. Hungary never really got back into the game. With the final score favouring the Italians 4–2, Italy became the first team to successfully defend the title and were once more crowned World Cup winners.

Because of World War II, the World Cup would not be held for another 12 years, until 1950. As a result, Italy were the reigning World Cup holders for a record 16 years, from 1934 to 1950. The Italian Vice-President of FIFA, Dr. Ottorino Barassi, hid the trophy in a shoe-box under his bed throughout the Second World War and thus saved it from falling into the hands of occupying troops.[5]

Venues

1938 FIFA World Cup is located in France
Antibes
Antibes
Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Le Havre
Le Havre
Lille
Lille
Lyon
Lyon
Marseille
Marseille
Paris
Paris
Reims
Reims
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Toulouse
Toulouse
class=notpageimage|
A map showing the locations of the venues used at the 1938 FIFA World Cup. The only match scheduled for Lyon was cancelled as a result of Austria's withdrawal

Ten cities were planned to host the tournament:

Antibes Bordeaux Le Havre Lille
Stade du Fort Carré Parc Lescure Stade Municipal Stade Victor Boucquey
Capacity: 7,000 Capacity: 34,694 Capacity: 22,000 Capacity: 15,000
Paris Reims Strasbourg
Parc des Princes Stade Olympique de Colombes Vélodrome Municipal Stade de la Meinau
Capacity: 48,712 Capacity: 60,000 Capacity: 21,684 Capacity: 30,000
Lyon Marseilles Toulouse
Stade Gerland
(the only match there was cancelled) 		Stade Vélodrome Stade Chapou
Capacity: 40,500 Capacity: 48,000 Capacity: 35,472

Of these, all but Lyon ultimately hosted matches. Lyon did not due to Austria's withdrawal.

Squads

For a list of all squads that appeared in the final tournament, see 1938 FIFA World Cup squads.

Results

 
First roundQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
5 June – Marseille
 
 
 Italy (aet)2
 
12 June – Paris (Olympique)
 
 Norway1
 
 Italy3
 
5 June – Paris (Olympique)
 
 France1
 
 France3
 
16 June – Marseille
 
 Belgium1
 
 Italy2
 
5 June – Strasbourg
 
 Brazil1
 
 Brazil (aet)6
 
12 June – Bordeaux
(replayed 14 June)
 
 Poland5
 
 Brazil1 (2)
 
5 June – Le Havre
 
 Czechoslovakia1 (1)
 
 Czechoslovakia (aet)3
 
19 June – Paris (Olympique)
 
 Netherlands0
 
 Italy4
 
5 June – Reims
 
 Hungary2
 
 Hungary6
 
12 June – Lille
 
 Dutch East Indies0
 
 Hungary2
 
4 June – Paris (Princes)
(replayed 9 June)
 
  Switzerland0
 
  Switzerland1 (4)
 
16 June – Paris (Princes)
 
 Germany1 (2)
 
 Hungary5
 
5 June – Lyon
 
 Sweden1 Third place
 
 Swedenw/o
 
12 June – Antibes19 June – Bordeaux
 
 Austria[6]—
 
 Sweden8 Brazil4
 
5 June – Toulouse
(replayed 9 June)
 
 Cuba0  Sweden2
 
 Cuba3 (2)
 
 
 Romania3 (1)
 

First round

Switzerland 1–1 (a.e.t.) Germany
Abegglen 43' Report Gauchel 29'
Attendance: 27,152
Hungary 6–0 Dutch East Indies
Kohut 14'
Toldi 16'
Sárosi 25', 88'
Zsengellér 30', 67'		 Report
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Roger Conrié (France)
Sweden w/o[6] Austria
Cuba 3–3 (a.e.t.) Romania
Socorro 44', 103'
Magriñá 69'		 Report Bindea 35'
Barátky 88'
Dobay 105'
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Giuseppe Scarpi (Italy)
France 3–1 Belgium
Veinante 1'
Nicolas 16', 69'		 Report Isemborghs 38'
Attendance: 30,454
Italy 2–1 (a.e.t.) Norway
Ferraris 2'
Piola 94'		 Report Brustad 83'
Attendance: 19,000
Main article: Poland v Brazil (1938 FIFA World Cup)
Brazil 6–5 (a.e.t.) Poland
Leônidas 18', 93', 104'
Romeu 25'
Perácio 44', 71'		 Report Scherfke 23' (pen.)
Wilimowski 53', 59', 89', 118'
Attendance: 13,452
Referee: Ivan Eklind (Sweden)
Czechoslovakia 3–0 (a.e.t.) Netherlands
Košťálek 93'
Nejedlý 111'[8]
Zeman 118'[9]		 Report
Attendance: 11,000
Referee: Lucien Leclerq (France)

Replays

Germany 2–4  Switzerland
Hahnemann 8'
Lörtscher 22' (o.g.)		 Report Walaschek 42'
Bickel 64'
Abegglen 75', 78'
Attendance: 20,025
Referee: Ivan Eklind (Sweden)
Cuba 2–1 Romania
Socorro 51'
Fernández 57'		 Report Dobay 35'
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Alfred Birlem (Germany)

Quarter-finals

Switzerland 0–2 Hungary
Report Sárosi 40'
Zsengellér 89'[10]
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Rinaldo Barlassina (Italy)
Sweden 8–0 Cuba
H. Andersson 9', 81', 90'[11]
Wetterström 32', 37', 44'[12]
Keller 80'[13]
Nyberg 84'[14]		 Report
Attendance: 7,000
France 1–3 Italy
Heisserer 10' Report Colaussi 9'
Piola 51', 72'
Attendance: 58,455
Referee: Louis Baert (Belgium)
Brazil 1–1 (a.e.t.) Czechoslovakia
Leônidas 30' Report Nejedlý 65' (pen.)
Attendance: 22,021
Referee: Pál von Hertzka (Hungary)

Replay

Brazil 2–1 Czechoslovakia
Leônidas 57'
Roberto 62'[15]		 Report Kopecký 25'
Attendance: 18,141

Semi-finals

Hungary 5–1 Sweden
Jacobsson 19' (o.g.)
Titkos 37'
Zsengellér 39', 85'
Sárosi 65'		 Report Nyberg 1'
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Lucien Leclerq (France)
Italy 2–1 Brazil
Colaussi 51'
Meazza 60' (pen.)		 Report Romeu 87'
Attendance: 33,000

Match for third place

Sweden 2–4 Brazil
Jonasson 28'
Nyberg 38'		 Report Romeu 44'
Leônidas 63', 74'
Perácio 80'
Attendance: 12,000

Final

Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup Final
Hungary 2–4 Italy
Titkos 8'
Sárosi 70'		 Report Colaussi 6', 35'
Piola 16', 82'[16]
Attendance: 45,000

Goalscorers

With seven goals, Leônidas is the top scorer in the tournament. In total, 84 goals were scored by 42 different players, with two of them credited as own goals.

3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Own goals

FIFA retrospective ranking

A ball from the tournament

In 1986, FIFA published a report that ranked all teams in each World Cup up to and including 1986, based on progress in the competition, overall results and quality of the opposition.[17][18] The rankings for the 1938 tournament were as follows:

R Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts.
1  Italy 4 4 0 0 11 5 +6 8
2  Hungary 4 3 0 1 15 5 +10 6
3  Brazil 4 2 1 1 12 10 +2 5
4  Sweden 3 1 0 2 11 9 +2 2
Eliminated in the quarter-finals
5  Czechoslovakia 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 3
6  France 2 1 0 1 4 4 0 2
7   Switzerland 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
8  Cuba 2 0 1 1 3 11 −8 1
Eliminated in the round of 16
9  Romania 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 1
10  Germany 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
11  Poland 1 0 0 1 5 6 −1 0
12  Norway 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0
13  Belgium 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0
14  Netherlands 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0
15  Dutch East Indies 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 0

Footnotes

  1. ^ Ashdown, John (2014-04-22). "World Cup: 25 stunning moments … No11: Austria's Wunderteam". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  2. ^ "History of the World Cup Final Draw" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  3. ^ Hesse-Lichtenberger, Ulrich (2003). Tor!: The Story of German Football. London: WSC Books. p. 85. ISBN 095401345X.
  4. ^ Martin, Simon (2014-04-01): "World Cup: 25 stunning moments … No8: Mussolini's blackshirts' 1938 win". theguardian.com. Läst 22 april 2016.
  5. ^ "Jules Rimet Cup". FIFAWorldCup.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b Sweden were awarded a walkover as Austria were unable to compete because of the Austrian Anschluss in March 1938.
  7. ^ Actually from Austria, but finally representing the German Football Association because of the Anschluss.
  8. ^ RSSSF credits this goal as coming in the 118th minute.
  9. ^ RSSSF credits this goal as coming in the 111th minute.
  10. ^ RSSSF credits this goal as coming in the 90th minute.
  11. ^ RSSSF credits goal in the 81st minute as coming in the 61st minute.
  12. ^ RSSSF credits the goal in the 32nd minute as coming in the 22nd minute.
  13. ^ RSSSF credits goal in the 80th minute as coming in the 60th minute.
  14. ^ RSSSF credits this goal as coming in the 89th minute.
  15. ^ FIFA initially credits this goal to Leônidas, but changed it to Roberto in 2006. Archived 2006-11-16 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ RSSSF credits the goal in the 82nd minute as coming in the 85th minute.
  17. ^ "page 45" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  18. ^ "FIFA World Cup: Milestones, facts & figures. Statistical Kit 7" (PDF). FIFA. 26 March 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2013.
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