The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the second in a row to be held in Europe. France, Germany and Argentina competed to host the 1938 tournament with France winning in the first round of voting. This decision of hosting two consecutive tournaments in Europe caused an outrage in the Americas and, because of that, Uruguay, Argentina, United States and Mexico refused to enter the competition. This was the first tournament that the hosts and the title holders would automatically entry the competition with no need to compete in the qualification round.
With only fourteen places left, 11 were allocated to Europe, 2 to the Americas and 1 to Asia. Because of that, only three non-European teams competed. Austria qualified but, with its annexation to Germany, they withdrew. No one else was invited and Sweden, which was Austria’s first opponent, progressed directly to the second round.
The tournament format was the same as 1934, where the 16 teams would play a knockout tournament starting from the round of 16.
Italy reached the final again, this time against Hungary. It was the first time the defending champions had reached the final and had the chance to win another title consecutively. And they did it, after beating Hungary 4-2. They were the first nation to win twice, and on top of that, consecutively.
List of qualified teams: Argentina, Austria (withdrew), Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland.
Champions: Italy
2nd place: Hungary
3rd place: Brazil
Top scorer player: Leônidas, Brazil – 7 goals
Top scorer team: Hungary – 15 goals
Total of goals: 84 goals
Average per match: 5.25
List of all the tournaments
- 1930 FIFA World Cup – Uruguay
- 1934 FIFA World Cup – Italy
- 1938 FIFA World Cup – France
- 1950 FIFA World Cup – Brazil
- 1954 FIFA World Cup – Switzerland
- 1958 FIFA World Cup – Sweden
- 1962 FIFA World Cup – Chile
- 1966 FIFA World Cup – England
- 1970 FIFA World Cup – Mexico
- 1974 FIFA World Cup – West Germany