Italy sought to retain its title in France at a time when Europe was on the cusp of war. Spain was not there because of its civil war, while Austria, which had qualified, had to give up its berth in the tournament after being swallowed up by Nazi Germany.
Italy caused controversy in its quarterfinal match against the host nation when the team wore black shirts and gave the fascist right-arm salute before kickoff.
It’s unclear whether they were ordered to ditch their traditional blue shirts by Mussolini himself. Despite vociferous opposition from French fans, Italy easily defeated the hosts to reach the semi-finals.
Italian captain Giuseppe Meazza (left) shakes hands with Hungarian captain Sarosi (right) before the kick off as referee George Capdeville looks on. World Cup Final, 1938, Paris, France. Photo: Popperfoto/Getty Images
Hungary destroyed Sweden in one of the semi-finals 5–1, while Italy and Brazil had the first of their many important World Cup clashes in the other. The Brazilians rested their star player Leonidas confident that they would qualify for the final, but the Italians won 2–1. Brazil topped Sweden 4–2 for third place.
Italy successfully — and deservedly — defended its World Cup title in Paris, beating Hungary 4-2 in the final. The final itself took place at the Stade Olympique de Colombes in Paris.
Vittorio Pozzo’s Italian side took the lead early after six minutes through Colaussi, but Hungary equalised within two minutes with a Titkos trike.
Italy captain Giuseppe Meazza (R) receives the Jules Rimet trophy from French Preisdent Albert Lebrun after his side’s defeat of Hungary in the Final. Photo: FIFA
Silvio Piola put the Italians back in the lead again shortly after, and by the end of the first half were leading the Hungarians 3–1 with another Colaussi goal. Hungary never really got back into the game.
With the final score favouring the Italians 4–2 with the other goals coming from Piola and Sarosi for the Magyars.
Italy became the first team to successfully defend the title and were once more crowned World Cup winners.
Vittorio Pozzo holds the Jules Rimet Trophy after Italy’s 4-2 victory over Hungary in the 1938 World Cup final. Photo: Popperfoto/Getty Images
Because of World War II, the World Cup would not be held for another 12 years, until 1950. As a result, Italy were the reigning World Cup holders for a record 16 years, from 1934 to 1950. The Italian Vice-President of FIFA, Dr. Ottorino Barassi, hid the trophy in a shoe-box under his bed throughout the Second World War and thus saved it from falling into the hands of occupying troops.
The stain of the “blackshirts,” named after the paramilitary wing of Mussolini’s National Fascist Party, has never gone away.
“Returning the intimidation from the terraces, Italy won the sporting battle on the field,” said Simon Martin, author of “Sport Italia” and a sports historian at the University of Buckingham.
“The desire to forget saw Mussolini swept under the carpet, and the 1938 black shirt and Roman salute were consigned to one of the World Cup’s and FIFA’s least edifying but overtly political moments.”