FIFA World Cup History

Brasil 1950 FIFA World Cup

Year:1950

Participants: 13

Countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, England, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Yugoslavia

Championship: Uruguay 2, Brazil 1

Top goal scorer: Ademir de Menezes, Brazil (9)

Because of World War II, the World Cup was canceled in 1942 and 1946 causing a 12-year layoff for the event. The 1950 Cup was held in Brazil, which built the largest stadium in the world for the event. Several countries gave excuses -- most of which were absurd -- for not participating. This caused scheduling woes, as some countries pulled out right before the tournament started. Brazil decided to keep the original draw, so two groups had four teams, one group had three teams and one group had just two teams.

Brazil advanced from Group 1 behind the strong play of Ademir, who would go on to lead the tournament in scoring. To advance, Brazil defeated Mexico (4-0) and Yugoslavia (2-0) and tied Switzerland (2-2). Out of Group 2, Spain advanced by beating the United States (3-1), Chile (2-0) and England (1-0). Sweden defeated Italy (3-2) and tied Paraguay (2-2) to advance from the three-team Group 3. Group 4 only had two teams, so Uruguay had an easy time advancing as it routed Bolivia (8-0).

There wasn't a traditional championship game as Brazil, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay played in a six-game, pool-type format. In the final game, Brazil only had to tie to win the World Cup, and the team thought it would be a lock against Uruguay. In a huge upset, though, Uruguay won 2-1 before a crowd of almost 200,000 to capture the World Cup. Ironically, Uruguay was one of the countries that wanted to drop out of the tournament, but was talked into participating.