• Brazil’s quarterfinal clash with Czechoslovakia in Bordeaux in 1938 degenerated into violence, with two Brazilians and one Czech sent off.
  • France became the first host to lose a match when Italy beat them 3-1 in the quarter finals.
  • Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini sent a telegram to coach Vittorio Pozzo before the final saying, “Win or Die!” Luckily Italy won and Pozzo became the first coach to win the trophy twice following the 1934 success. Giuseppe Meazza and Giovanni Ferrari became the first players to win consecutive medals.
  • There was no World Cup for 12 years because of World War - 2. The Jules Rimet Trophy survived the hostilities, hidden under the the bed of an official of the Italian Football Association.