1938 FIFA World Cup
Hosted by France. Italy successfully defended their title — the last team to do so until Brazil in 1962.
The 1938 FIFA World Cup at a glance
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was hosted by France and contested by 15 teams over 18 matches, producing 84 goals (4.67 per match). Italy successfully defended their title — the last team to do so until Brazil in 1962. The final, Italy 4-2 Hungary, was played at Stade Olympique de Colombes, Paris.
Leônidas of Brazil won the Golden Boot with 7 goals. Scoring rate of 4.67 goals per match was 0.55 higher than the previous edition's 4.12. Final standings: 1st Italy, 2nd Hungary, 3rd Brazil, 4th Sweden.
Final
Tournament
1938 FIFA World Cup records
| Champion | Italy |
| Runner-up | Hungary |
| Third place | Brazil |
| Fourth place | Sweden |
| Final score | Italy 4-2 Hungary |
| Final venue | Stade Olympique de Colombes, Paris |
| Host country | France |
| Teams | 15 |
| Matches | 18 |
| Goals | 84 |
| Goals per match | 4.67 |
| Top scorer | Leônidas (7 goals) |
| Top scorer nationality | Brazil |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1938 FIFA World Cup?
Italy won the 1938 FIFA World Cup, beating Hungary 4-2 Hungary in the final at Stade Olympique de Colombes, Paris.
Where was the 1938 World Cup held?
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was hosted by France. The final was played at Stade Olympique de Colombes, Paris.
Who was the top scorer at the 1938 World Cup?
Leônidas of Brazil was the top scorer at the 1938 FIFA World Cup with 7 goals.
How many teams and matches were at the 1938 World Cup?
15 teams played at the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France, totalling 18 matches and 84 goals — an average of 4.67 goals per match across roughly 21 days.
Who finished 3rd and 4th at the 1938 World Cup?
Brazil finished third and Sweden finished fourth at the 1938 FIFA World Cup.
How did the 1938 World Cup differ from the previous edition?
The previous FIFA World Cup, in 1934, was won by Italy (70 goals across 17 matches; 4.12 goals per match). The 1938 edition produced 84 goals across 18 matches (4.67 per match) and was won by Italy.
What is the significance of the 1938 World Cup?
Italy successfully defended their title — the last team to do so until Brazil in 1962.
Can I get 1938 World Cup historical data via API?
Yes. TheStatsAPI provides historical FIFA World Cup data going back to 1930, including match results, lineups, top scorers, final standings, and team appearance records. Query historical endpoints with year=1938 to retrieve the full dataset.
Get historical World Cup data via API
Match results, top scorers, finals, and team records from 1930 to today. 7-day free trial.