The threat of war hung over Europe as the third edition of the World Cup prepared to kick off in France in 1938, after world governing body Fifa upheld its decision to go ahead with the tournament despite the growing threat of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi forces.
Austria, who boasted one of the strongest teams in Europe and starring the great Mathias Sindelar had already been under German occupation since the Anschluss.
Spain had their own problems with a civil war that had been raging since 1936 and also stayed at home.
A pool of 36 nations had been whittled down to 14 qualifiers who joined hosts France and holders Italy in the first round knock-out format.
Brazil and Cuba were the representatives from the Americas and the Dutch East Indies also joined the party as Asian representatives.
Fifa's decision not to rotate the host continent infuriated many South American countries who boycotted the tournament altogether.
Brazilian spectacle
On the pitch, Brazil and Poland produced a fabulous spectacle in Strasbourg.
Leonidas - better known as "The black diamond" - hit three goals only for Ernst Wilimowski to hit back with four of his own as the match went into extra-time before Brazil emerged with a 6-5 victory.
That set up a quarter-final against Czechoslovakia, a tumultuous match that was later classed as "the Battle of Bordeaux". Three players were sent off, one Brazilian was left with a broken leg and a final score of 1-1 forced the two sides to do it all over again the following day.
This time in calmer circumstances Brazil won 2-1.
Inexplicably, Leonidas was left out of the semi-final against Italy, when coach Ademir Pimenta opted to rest him for the final, a match they never played as the holders knocked them out 2-1 in Marseille.
Italy had reached the last four after a tough opening battle against Norway before ending French hopes with a 3-1 victory in Paris to set up the showdown against Brazil.
Hungary were their surprise opponents, having rarely been threatened on their path to the final, thrashing Sweden 5-1 in the semis thanks to a Zsengeller hat-trick.
Italy, however, proved stiffer opponents and courtesy of two goals from Silvio Piola and Gino Colaussi, the Italians won their second straight title with a 4-2 win in front of 45,000 supporters on the outskirts of Paris at Colombes.
It was to be the last World Cup for 12 years.