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1938 FIFA World Cup qualification

1938 FIFA World Cup Qualification
Tournament details
Dates16 June 1937 – 1 May 1938
Teams37 (from 3 confederations)
Tournament statistics
Matches played22
Goals scored96 (4.36 per match)
Top scorer(s)Latvia Fricis Kaņeps
Hungary Gyula Zsengellér
(5 goals each)
← 1934
1950 →

A total of 37 teams (including the late application of Argentina) 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.

Due to the Spanish Civil War, Spain application was initially suspended and eventually rejected. The remaining teams were divided into groups based on geographical considerations, as follows:[1]

  • Europe: 11 places, contested by 23 teams (including Egypt and Palestine) divided into eight groups.
  • The Americas: 2 places, contested by 9 teams.
  • Asia: 1 place, contested by 2 teams.

However, due to the withdrawal of Austria after qualifying (they had been annexed by Germany), only 15 teams actually competed in the final tournament. FIFA did not offer participation to the runner-up of the group that Austria had played in, Latvia.

A total of 21 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 22 qualifying matches were played, and 96 goals were scored (an average of 4.36 per match).

Format

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The groups had different rules, as follows:

Europe

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  • Group 1 had 4 teams. The teams played against each other once. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
  • Group 2[2] had 4 teams. The teams played two separate play-offs on a home-and-away basis. The winners of each play-off would qualify.
  • Groups 3,[2] 4 and 6 had 2 teams each. In Group 3 and Group 6 the teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The play-off winners would qualify. In Group 4, Switzerland and Portugal played only one match on a neutral ground with the winner to qualify.
  • Groups 5 and 7 had 3 teams each. The strongest team of each group was seeded. There would be two rounds of play:
    • First Round: The unseeded teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would advance to the Final Round.
    • Final Round: The seeded team played against the winner of the First Round at home. The winner would qualify.
  • Group 8 had 3 teams. The teams played against each other once. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.

Americas

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  • North America had only one team. The United States would play a play-off with the winner of the Central America for one spot in the competition.
  • Central America had 6 teams (including Colombia). The winner of the qualifying round would play a play-off with the North America for one spot in the competition.
  • South America had only one team. Brazil received a bye[3] and qualified directly to the final competition.

Eastern Asia

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  • Eastern Asia had 2 teams. The winner of the play-off would qualify.

Format update after Argentina's application

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Argentina submitted a late request to FIFA to take part to the World Cup in October 1937. In regard of the prestige of the team, the application was accepted.[4] The qualification format was rearranged[5] taking also in account the withdrawal of Japan.[6] Two intercontinental play-offs were established.

  • Play-off 1 to be played between the United States and the Dutch East Indies in Rotterdam, 29 May 1938.[7]
  • Play-off 2 to be played between Argentina and the winner of the Central America qualifying round in Bordeaux, 29 May 1938.[7]

Key:

  • Teams highlighted in green qualified for the finals.
  • Teams highlighted in Orange qualified for the final phase of their group.

Groups

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Group 1

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Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 1
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification
1  Germany 3 3 0 0 11 1 11.000 6 Final tournament
2  Sweden 3 2 0 1 11 7 1.571 4
3  Estonia 3 1 0 2 4 11 0.364 2
4  Finland 3 0 0 3 0 7 0.000 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]
Sweden 4–0 Finland
Bunke 60', 82'
Persson 65'
Svanström 68'		 Report
Attendance: 19,554
Sweden 7–2 Estonia
Josefsson 7', 41'
Bunke 40'
Jonasson 49' (pen.)
Wetterström 73', 77', 84'		 Report Siimenson 2'
Uukkivi 3'
Attendance: 18,171
Referee: Otto Remke (Denmark)
Finland 0–2 Germany
Report Lehner 6'
Urban 60'
Attendance: 6,519
Referee: Otto Remke (Denmark)
Finland 0–1 Estonia
Report Kuremaa 56'
Attendance: 4,797
Referee: Ivan Eklind (Sweden)
Germany 4–1 Estonia
Lehner 50', 65'
Gauchel 53', 86'		 Report Siimenson 34'
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Bruno Pfützner (Czechoslovakia)
Germany 5–0 Sweden
Siffling 2', 57'
Szepan 8'
Schön 48', 63'		 Report
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Bruno Pfützner (Czechoslovakia)

Germany and Sweden qualified.

Group 2a

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Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 2a
Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Norway 2 1 1 0 6 5 1.20 3
2  Irish Free State 2 0 1 1 5 6 0.83 1
Norway 3–2 Irish Free State
Kvammen 30', 64'
Martinsen 78'		 Report Geoghegan 37'
Dunne 49'
Attendance: 20,000
Irish Free State 3–3 Norway
Dunne 10'
O'Flanagan 62'
Duggan 88'		 Report Kvammen 16', 33'
Martinsen 49'
Attendance: 27,000

Norway qualified.

Group 2b

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Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 2b
Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Poland 2 1 0 1 4 1 4.00 2
2  Yugoslavia 2 1 0 1 1 4 0.25 2
Poland 4–0 Yugoslavia
Piątek 3', 20'
Wostal 59'
Wilimowski 78'		 Report
Attendance: 30,000
Yugoslavia 1–0 Poland
Marjanović 61' Report
Attendance: 25,000

Poland finished above Yugoslavia on goal average, and thus qualified.

Group 3

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
—  Romania qualified
—  Egypt withdrew

FIFA fixed the dates for the play-off: the first leg to be played in Cairo on 17 December 1937 (about two weeks after the end of Ramadan), the second leg to be played in Bucharest on 17 April 1938.[9] Egypt did not accept the first leg date and this refusal was considered as a withdrawal from the competition.[10]

Group 4

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Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 5
Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1   Switzerland 1 1 0 0 2 1 2.00 2
2  Portugal 1 0 0 1 1 2 0.50 0
Switzerland 2–1 Portugal
Aeby 24'
Amado 29'		 Report Peyroteo 72' (pen.)
Attendance: 20,000

Switzerland qualified.

Group 5

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Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 6

First round

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Greece 2 2 0 0 4 1 4.00 4
2  Mandatory Palestine 2 0 0 2 1 4 0.25 0
Mandatory Palestine 1–3 Greece
Neufeld 21' Report Vikelidis 3', 10'
Migiakis 51'
Attendance: 5,000
Greece 1–0 Mandatory Palestine
Vikelidis 88' Report
Attendance: 12,000

Greece qualified for the final round.

Final round

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Hungary 1 1 0 0 11 1 11.0 2
2  Greece 1 0 0 1 1 11 0.09 0
Hungary 11–1 Greece
Zsengellér 15', 23' (pen.), 25', 65', 81'
Titkos 18', 75'
Vincze 26'
Nemes 34', 40', 52'		 Report Makris 89'
Attendance: 14,000

Hungary qualified.

Group 6

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Main article: 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 7
Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Czechoslovakia 2 1 1 0 7 1 7.00 3
2  Bulgaria 2 0 1 1 1 7 0.14 1
Bulgaria 1–1 Czechoslovakia
Pachedzhiev 89' (pen.) Report Ríha 44'
Attendance: 12,000
Czechoslovakia 6–0 Bulgaria
Šimůnek 21', 79', 89'
Nejedlý 57', 77'
Ludl 73'		 Report
Attendance: 31,458

Czechoslovakia qualified.

Group 7

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First round

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Latvia 2 2 0 0 9 3 3.00 4
2  Lithuania 2 0 0 2 3 9 0.33 0
Latvia 4–2 Lithuania
Kaņeps 19', 52'
Vestermans 50'
Borduško 83'		 Report Gudelis 79'
Paulionis 90'
Attendance: 10,000
Lithuania 1–5 Latvia
Paulionis 72' Report Kaņeps 4', 45' (pen.)
Borduško 11', 30'
Vestermans 67'
Attendance: 8,000

Latvia qualified for the final round.

Final round

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Austria 1 1 0 0 2 1 2.00 2
2  Latvia 1 0 0 1 1 2 0.50 0
Austria 2–1 Latvia
Jerusalem 15'
Binder 33'		 Report Vestermans 6'
Attendance: 16,000

Austria qualified, but was later incorporated by Germany during the Anschluss. FIFA offered the place to England (winner of the 1937–38 British Home Championship), who had opted not to enter the competition, but they declined the offer; FIFA decided not to allow anyone else to qualify, leaving the World Cup one team short.

Group 8

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Pos. Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Netherlands 2 1 1 0 5 1 5.00 3
2  Belgium 2 1 1 0 4 3 1.33 3
3  Luxembourg 2 0 0 2 2 7 0.29 0
Netherlands 4–0 Luxembourg
Smit 29'
de Boer 68', 78', 87'		 Report
Attendance: 40,000
Luxembourg 2–3 Belgium
Libar 4'
Kemp 33'		 Report Voorhoof 19'
Braine 55'
de Vries 59'
Attendance: 12,500
Belgium 1–1 Netherlands
Isemborghs 53' Report van Spaandonck 37'
Attendance: 47,660
Referee: Arthur Jewell (England)

Netherlands and Belgium qualified.

North America

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  United States To intercontinental play-off

The United States had originally to play against the winner of the Central America zone for one spot in the final competition.[1] After the application of Argentina, FIFA changed the opponent of the play-off, that would be now played in Europe. The opponent would be the Dutch East Indies.[6]

Central America

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Cuba To intercontinental play-off
2  Costa Rica Withdrew
 Dutch Guiana
 El Salvador
 Colombia
 Mexico

The winner of the Central America zone had originally to play against the United States for one spot in the final competition.[1] After the application of Argentina, FIFA changed the opponent of the play-off, that would be now played in Europe. The opponent would be Argentina.[6]
The course of the Central America qualifying round was quite chaotic and involved several changes of format. In the initial configuration the First Round was composed of two groups, one to be played in Barranquilla, Colombia, involving Colombia, Cuba and the Dutch Guiana[11], the second to be played in San José, Costa Rica, involving Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico. The winners would advance to the Final Round.
In January 1938 México withdrew from the competition protesting against the late inclusion of Argentina in the qualifying process.[12] The Dutch Guiana withdrew too.
In March 1938 the First Round was still to be played, the fixtures being Colombia-El Salvador and Cuba-Costa Rica.[13]
Eventually, Colombia, Costa Rica and El Salvador all withdrew so Cuba emerged as the winner of the group.[14] No match was played in the Central America zone.

South America

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Brazil Bye
2  Argentina To intercontinental play-off

Brasil was originally the only South American team participating to the World Cup, being Colombia included in the Central America zone. Thus Brasil received a bye to take part to the final competition in France.[3]
Later on Argentina applied to the FIFA. Argentina was admitted to play an intercontinental play-off against the winner of the Central America zone for one spot in the final competition.[6]

East Asia

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Dutch East Indies To intercontinental play-off
2  Japan Withdrew

The Dutch East Indies and Japan had originally to play for one spot in the competition.[1] Japan withdrew as a result of the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War and, after the application of Argentina, FIFA assigned the Dutch East Indies to a different play-off, that would be now played in Europe. The opponent would be the United States.[6]


Intercontinental play-offs

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Two intercontinental play-offs were established by FIFA after the application of Argentina to the competition.[6] They were meant to be played in Europe about one week before the start of the World Cup as an anticipation of the proper competition.[7] Eventually, none of these play-offs was played.

Play-off 1

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Dutch East Indies Bye
2  United States Withdrew

The play-off had to be played in Rotterdam on 29 May 1938 between the United States and the Dutch East Indies. The United States withdrew from the competition in April 1938[15] thus allowing the Dutch East Indies to qualify without playing a single match.

Play-off 2

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Rank Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
1  Cuba Bye
2  Argentina Withdrew

The play-off had to be played in Bordeaux on 29 May 1938 between Argentina and the winner of the Central America zone. Argentina withdrew from the competition[16] for disagreements between the National Federation and the local clubs. Cuba, who emerged as the winner of Central America zone, qualified to the World Cup without playing a single match.

Qualified teams

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FIFA World Cup qualification 1938
Qualifying countries
Team Finals appearance Streak Last appearance
 Austria 2nd 2 1934
 Belgium 3rd 3 1934
 Brazil 3rd 3 1934
 Cuba 1st 1 —
 Czechoslovakia 2nd 2 1934
 Dutch East Indies 1st 1 —
 France (H) 3rd 3 1934
 Germany 2nd 2 1934
 Hungary 2nd 2 1934
 Italy (C) 2nd 2 1934
 Netherlands 2nd 2 1934
 Norway 1st 1 —
 Poland 1st 1 —
 Romania 3rd 3 1934
 Sweden 2nd 2 1934
  Switzerland 2nd 2 1934
  •  Austria withdrew after qualifying due to the Anschluss.
  • (H) – qualified automatically as hosts
  • (C) – qualified automatically as defending champions

Goalscorers

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5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal

Notes

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  • It was originally intended that the World Cup would be held alternately between the continents of South America and Europe. However Jules Rimet, the creator of the World Cup, convinced FIFA to hold the competition in France,[citation needed] his home country. Because of this controversial move, many American countries, including Argentina (the most likely hosts if the event was held in South America), Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Dutch Guiana, Uruguay, and the United States, all withdrew or refused to enter.[citation needed]. Brazil and Cuba were the only countries from the Americas to enter qualification and thus qualified for the World Cup by default.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Voici la composition des groupes pour la Coupe du Monde 1938". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 15 March 1937 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  2. ^ a b Group 2 had originally 3 teams (Norway, Poland, Ireland), 2 to qualify. Group 3 had originally 3 teams (Yugoslavia, Romania, Egypt), 1 to qualify. The groups were rearranged after complains of the Romanian and Yugoslav Federations judging the allocation unfair. "Le Comité d'urgence de la F.I.F.A. s'occupera de l'organisation de la Coupe du monde". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 30 April 1937 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  3. ^ a b Brazil had originally to compete with the United States and the winner of the Central American qualifying round, 3 teams for two spots. They received a bye later on. "Et Bien! et l'Argentine?". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 14 October 1937 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  4. ^ "Le Comité exécutif de la F.I.F.A. accepte l'engagement de l'Argentine". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 8 November 1937 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  5. ^ "La Coupe du Monde commencera les 4 et 5 juin". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 9 January 1938 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "La F.I.F.A. a terminé le calendrier de la Coupe du Monde". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 10 January 1938 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  7. ^ a b c "Où en est la composition de la compétition propre..." L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 24 February 1938 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  8. ^ Match originally scheduled in Tallinn, it was played in Germany after request of the Estonian Federation.
  9. ^ "Le premier match Roumanie-Egypte est fixé au 17 décembre". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 1 December 1937 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  10. ^ "Carence de l'Egypte". L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 8 December 1937 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  11. ^ "Cuba pedirá que sea en Panamá la eliminación del Caribe para la copa del Mundo". La Prensa Libre (in Spanish). San José, Costa Rica. 11 November 1937 – via prensacr.info.
  12. ^ "México se retira debido a la disposición de la Fifa de que el vencedor en Centroamérica juegue contra la Argentina". La Prensa Libre (in Spanish). San José, Costa Rica. 24 January 1938 – via prensacr.info.
  13. ^ "Definitivamente Costa Rica irá a Cuba a jugar la Copa del Mundo". La Prensa Libre (in Spanish). San José, Costa Rica. 12 March 1938 – via prensacr.info.
  14. ^ "Fracasada la serie de fútbol por la Copa del Mundo". La Prensa Libre (in Spanish). San José, Costa Rica. 31 March 1938 – via prensacr.info.
  15. ^ "Les Yankees feront défaut..." L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 27 April 1938 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
  16. ^ "Pas d'argent! Pas de Coupe du Monde pour l'Argentine!..." L'Auto (in French). Paris, France. 27 March 1938 – via gallica.bnf.fr.
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