FIFA 1938 World Cup

The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. France was chosen as hosts by FIFA in August 1936. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.

Tournament details:

Host country    :  France
Dates               : 4 June – 19 June
Teams              :15 (from 4 confederations)
Venue(s)          :10 (in 10 host cities)

Final positions:

Champions       Italy (2nd title)
Runner-up        Hungary
Third place       Brazil
Fourth place     Sweden

Tournament statistics:

Matches played     18
Goals scored     84 (4.67 per match)
Attendance     483,000 (26,833 per match)
Top scorer(s)     Brazil Leônidas (7 goals)

Venues:

Ten cities hosted the tournament:

    *     Antibes, Stade du Fort Carré.
    *     Bordeaux, Parc Lescure.
    *     Le Havre, Stade Cavée Verte.
    *     Lille, Stade Victor Boucquey.
    *     Lyon, Stade Gerland (the only match there was cancelled).
    *     Marseille, Stade Vélodrome.
    *     Paris, Parc des Princes and Stade Olympique de Colombes.
    *     Reims, Vélodrome Municipal.
    *     Strasbourg, Stade de la Meinau.
    *    Toulouse, Stade Chapou.



1938 World cup Match Details

The first round scores were (half time scores in brackets):

Switzerland 1 (1) - Germany 1 (1) after extra time.
Switzerland 4 (1) - Germany 2 (2) replay
Cuba 3 (1) - Rumania 3 (1) after extra time.
Cuba 2 (0) - Rumania 1 (1) replay
Hungary 6 (4) - Dutch East Indies 0 (0)
France 3 (2) - Belgium 1 (1)
Czechoslovakia 3 (0) - Netherlands 0 (0)
Brazil 6 (3) - Poland 5 (1)
Italy 2 (1) - Norway 1 (0)

The second round scores were (half time scores in brackets):

Sweden 8 (4) - Cuba 0 (0)
Hungary 2(1)- Switzerland 0 (0)
Italy 3(1) - France 1(1)
Brazil 1 (1) - Czechoslovakia 1 (0) after extra time.
Brazil 2 (0) - Czechoslovakia 1 (1) replay


The semi-final scores were (half time scores in brackets):

Italy 2(0) - Brazil 1 (0)
Hungary 5 (3) - Sweden 1 (1)

The final scores:

World Cup final, played on 19 June 1938 in Paris.

Italy 4 (3) - Hungary 2 (1)

Finalist Players:

Italy       : Olivieri, Foni, Rava, Serantoni, Andreoli, Locatelli, Biavati, Meazza, Piola, Ferrari, Colaussi.

Hungary  : Szabo, Polgar, Biro, Szaly, Szucs, Lazar, Saz, Vincze, Sarosi, Zsengeller, Titkos.

Final Scorers:
Italy : Colaussi (2), Piola (2).
Hungary: Titkos (1), Sarosi (1).
Italy Champion World Cup 1934

Notes:
Leading goalscorers:
Total goals scored 84
Number of matches 18
An average of 4.67 goals per game.

Summary of 1938 World Cup: 





A total of 37 teams entered the 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. For the first time the title holders and the host country were given automatic qualification. Therefore, France, as the hosts, and Italy, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.