Here are five names to have at your fingertips about the third World Cup, hosted by France and won by Italy.
- Trivia: Which Concacaf country made its only World Cup appearance in 1938?
Anschluss. The specter of World War II was emerging with Nazi Germany’s annexation (Anschluss) of Austria — a move that also disbanded the talented Austrian “Wunderteam” and placed its stars in the German squad. The Germans’ ploy quickly failed as they were eliminated by Switzerland.
Fascism. Besides the Austrians’ forced elimination, Spain withdrew because of its civil war, in which the Nationalist rebels received support from Fascist Germany and Italy.
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