Italy became the first nation to win consecutive FIFA World Cups, a feat not repeated under the same coach before or since.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 3rd FIFA World Cup
- Host country
- France
- Tournament dates
- 4–19 June 1938
- Final score
- Italy 4–2 Hungary
- Italy's coach
- Vittorio Pozzo
- Years until next World Cup
- 12 (due to World War II)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
FIFA awarded the 1938 World Cup to France as part of the regular quadrennial cycle. Several nations boycotted the tournament over the host selection process, including Argentina and Uruguay, reducing the field of competitors ahead of the finals.
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was held across France from 4 to 19 June 1938. Italy, the defending champion, progressed through a single-elimination bracket to meet Hungary in the final in Paris, where they won 4–2 to claim the championship for the second consecutive time under coach Vittorio Pozzo.
Italy's back-to-back titles under Vittorio Pozzo set a record for consecutive World Cup victories under one coach that remains unmatched. The tournament proved to be the last World Cup for twelve years, as the 1942 and 1946 editions were cancelled following the outbreak of World War II.
Result
at Stade Olympique de Colombes, Paris, France