Last update 6 April, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
In a complicated international political climate and a war at the gates, France proposed its candidacy as host of World Cup 1938. The default order meant this World for a South American country, in this case, Argentina. However, the assurances given by France to improve their stadiums and especially, the influence of FIFA President, Jules Rimet, I wanted the World Cup in his country, They made the headquarters to the Gauls granted.
The final decision of the FIFA, He caused the first problems for the World. Argentina abstained from the register, upset about not getting the headquarters. Uruguay, even with the anger of the poor response of Europeans to the World, He resigned for the second consecutive time to participate. Other than that, Spain, one of the strongest countries in Europe and had been eliminated in 1934 by the arbitration support to Italy, he was from 1936 in a bloody civil war. The great Spanish team had disintegrated.
Another great team of the time, Austria's "Wunderteam", He had achieved their qualification to the World. However, events that hurtled in Europe, They had resulted in the decision of the German Reich to annex Austria, action known as "Anschluss. In that way, Austria disappeared as a country and its participation in the World Cup was impossible. Many of its elements were incorporated into the German team was qualified to France.
Finally, of the 69 originally enrolled countries, less defections, voluntary and forced, less eliminated in qualifying round, it had a total 15 participating teams: 12 Europeans, including local champion France and Italy, automatically qualified for the first time, plus two Americans, Brazil and Cuba and an Asian, Indias Orientales Holandesas.

He 4 June began the World. In Paris, in the Princes' Park, Germany faced Switzerland. The political implications of the tournament began to manifest: throughout the game, the Germans were booed by the French public, He showed full support to Swiss. The next day, 5 June, in the "Velodrome" Marseille, Italy champion made his debut against Norway. For its debut, Italians received the rejection of the crowd at the stadium marsellés. Challenging, Pozzo coach, He implored his players to twice the "Roman salute", open challenge to the public. That started the game.
Reims debuted the first Asian team in a world. This was the representation of the Dutch Indies, at that time still a colony of the Netherlands and after World War II gained independence and called, as until now, Indonesia. Qualified without playing a game due to the resignation of Japan (at war with China), this modest team had among its ranks a member wearing glasses to play: Achmad captain Tawir.
The last game of the second round, Strasbourg, between Brazil and Poland, It was carried out in the middle of a torrential rain. The game ended 6 a 5 Leonidas and Brazil striker scored one of the goals barefoot after losing one of his boots. The other playoff game, between Romania and the Cubans surprise, It was played in Toulouse. Best Man Cubans, Carvajals their goalkeeper did not align on this occasion. The reason is amazing: He was invited by Cuban radio to comment on replay. His colleague in goal, Juan Ayra, however, Not to be outdone the holder and became the key player to save the result. Despite the minute goal Romanian 9, Caribbean overcame and gave the bell, imposed by 2-1, thereby they advancing to the next round, repeating the actions of the United States 1930, as representative of the unborn CONCACAF.

In Bordeaux, Brazil and Czechoslovakia gave birth to what later became known as "the Battle of Bordeaux". I just started the game, Czechs were devoted to provide "hunting" to the legs of Brazilians, not make the request to respond in the same way. To the 12 minutes, Olda Nejedly is prey to a terrible Faul between Zeze Procopio and Machado, resulting in a fractured foot. Procopio still claims and is sent off by referee. Before the end of the first half, and play 10 contra 9. The match ends in a draw. Two days later, on the same court, two depleted teams from Brazil and Czechoslovakia decide the semi-finals. Brazilians, between injured and suspended, manage to assemble a picture with alternate 9!.

Finally, he 19 June, in Colombes Stadium in Paris, the finalists, Italy and Hungary, looked face to face to define the new world champion. Italy again won the tournament as four years earlier. To return to Italy, fresh world champions were received by the Duce Benito Mussolini. The dictator, dressed in their finery and the same players with very appropriate military uniforms for the time they lived, They staged a series of tributes that culminated with the presentation of awards to the champions and, finally, the official photo, with the staff of the Italian government of the time.
this World, celebrated with gray storm clouds already loomed over Europe and the world, It was a memory that cheered a little humanity for the next few years. He 10 September 1939, less than 15 months after the Paris final, Reich German troops cross the Polish border, breaking down barriers installed and started the invasion of the neighboring country. Soon, the conflagration reached practically all European countries, some of North Africa and others in Asia and, finally, to the United States.
Officially, The conflict lasted 6 years and one day, during which they killed more than 50 million people between military and civilian. Long and war period the period of recovery and reconstruction of the contestants, It resulted in the planned FIFA World Cup to be canceled 1942 y 1946. World would have to wait 12 years, until 1950, to have its fourth edition.

If you want to read the history of the World 1938 detail can do so by clicking here FRANCE 1938.1 and here FRANCE 1938.2