Host: Italy
Teams: 16
Format: Round of 16, quarterfinals, semis, final
Matches: 17
Goals: 70
Winners: Italy
Runners-up: Czechoslovakia
Golden boot: Oldrich Nejedly
With the foundation laid four times ago in Uruguay, FIFA decided to host the alternate edition of the World Cup in Europe.
Italy was chosen as the host but had to insure participation by getting the only host nation to play qualifiers.
It was joined by 32 other brigades in the qualifying round, of which 16 progressed to the main event.
In another first and only case in a FIFA World Cup, holders Uruguay pulled out of the event to protest against utmost European brigades ’ absence from the 1930 World Cup it hosted.
Argentina and Brazil were the only South American brigades to qualify for the event but failed to progress and the quarterfinals turned out to be an each- European affair.
The matches were spread across eight Italian metropolises with the final in Rome. The tightly queried final went into redundant time, where star forward Angelo Schiavio scored within five twinkles to complete a comeback palm for the hosts.
Highs
Following the fissionability of the first World Cup, FIFA acted fleetly to schedule the alternate edition and was suitable to rope in big names from Europe.
The qualification structure, spreading out of matches to different metropolises and third- place playoff were some of the crucial moves that FIFA would continue in the events to come.
It was the first time that the event was broadcast live on radio in 12 of the 16 sharing countries.
Luis Monti, who was part of the 1930 runners- up Argentina won the title with his recently espoused country Italy. He’s the only player to have represented two countries in a World Cup final.
Lows
The event was held in Italy during the reign of Benito Mussolini and his fascist party.
Several allegations were made against the leader and his party related to corruption and the use of influence to favour the host nation.
The quarterfinal between Italy and Spain was marred by on- field fights, contestation and detainments. It was eventually settled by a renewal.
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