FIFA World Cup: Flashback 1938 Edition: Italy win back to back titles
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third edition of the tournament, held in France from June 4 to June 19, 1938. This tournament holds a somber place in history as it was the final World Cup held before the suspension of the competition due to the outbreak of World War II; the tournament would not return for another 12 years (until 1950). It was a tournament marked by political tension—notably the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany), which resulted in the Austrian team being withdrawn despite having qualified. Furthermore, controversy surrounding the selection of a European host for the second consecutive time led to boycotts by several South American nations, including Argentina and Uruguay. Italy, under the guidance of manager Vittorio Pozzo, successfully defended their 1934 title, becoming the first nation to win consecutive World Cups. Tournament Summary Number of Teams: While 16 teams were originally scheduled to participate, only 15 teams competed. Austria ha...