1938 World Cup — Match schedule.
Updated June 20, 2026 · DynastyDaily Editorial · ● Live Last updated: 2026-06-21T02:18:50Z
Direct answer
The 1938 FIFA World Cup ran 4–19 June 1938 with 18 matches at 9 venues. The opening match was Switzerland 1-1 Germany, and the final was Italy 4-2 Hungary.
1938 match schedule — summary
| Dates | 4–19 June 1938 |
| Total matches | 18 |
| Teams | 15 |
| Venues | 9 |
| Opening match | Switzerland 1-1 Germany |
| Final | Italy 4-2 Hungary |
| Format | Straight knockout |
The story
Italy became the first team to retain the trophy, again under Vittorio Pozzo — still the only manager to win two World Cups. Brazil's Leônidas, the "Black Diamond", was the tournament's star and top scorer. The last World Cup before World War II forced a 12-year gap; the Jules Rimet trophy spent the war hidden in a shoebox under an Italian official's bed.
Related
See the full 1938 edition profile, the 1938 final classification, and our finals history.
Tables and ranking points refresh as matches finish. Standings · Match schedule · World Cup 2026
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