1962 FIFA World Cup – Chile

The 1962 FIFA World Cup was in Chile, after two tournaments held in Europe consecutively. The American federations claimed that the 1962 edition should be played in South America, or they would stage a complete boycott. Chile was then chosen over Argentina.

The qualification round for the tournament started in 1960. 57 teams entered but only 14 qualified along with the hosts, Chile, and the defending champions, Brazil. Of the 14 places available, 8 were allocated to UEFA, 3 to CONMEBOL. The remaining 3 would be contested by the 9th and 10th from the UEFA qualification, the 4th from the CONMEBOL qualification and the winners of the CCCF/NAFC, CAF and AFC qualifications.

Pelé arrived in Chile with high expectations from everyone. But he was injured in the second group match and wouldn’t play anymore in the 1962 tournament.

The final was played by defending champions, Brazil, and Czechoslovakia. The Brazilians had the chance to defend the titles like Italy in 1938. Repeating 1958, the Brazilian team started loosing, 1-0. They tied the game in the first half. In the second half Brazil scored twice to win the match, 3-1; They were the second team to win the World Cup twice consecutively, and the third team with two titles.

List of qualified teams: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, England, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Soviet Union, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, West Germany, Yugoslavia.

Champions: Brazil
2nd place: Czechoslovakia
3rd place: Chile

Top scorer players with 4 goals each: Garrincha and Vavá (Brasil), Leonel Sánchez (Chile), Florián Albert (Hungary), Valentin Isanov (Soviet Union), Dražan Jerković (Yugoslavia)
Top scorer team: Brazil – 14 goals

List of all the tournaments