Ranking every World Cup, from worst to best

7 of 20

10th June 1934: The Italian World Cup squad carry their manager, Vittorio Pozzo (1886 – 1968), shoulder high following their 2-1 victory over Czechoslovakia after extra time in the World Cup final in Rome. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) /

Italy 1934

Rating: 6/10

Champion: Italy

The Italians, after missing out on the very first World Cup in Uruguay four years earlier, won the tournament on home soil, defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final. Italy would go on to win the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and repeat as world champions in 1938.

Host nation: Italy

The Italians hosted the tournament, triggering a boycott by Uruguay after European nations had largely ignored the 1930 edition. Matches were played in eight cities. In the process, the tournament (and Italy’s success) became a propaganda tool for the country’s fascist regime.

Best player: Giuseppe Meazza (Italy)

Meazza was arguably the best player of his generation. His ability to score goals as well as create them earned him the nickname il genio (“the genius”). He helped Italy win the World Cup in 1934, scoring two goals the tournament, and captained the team that repeated as champion four years later. The gifted Meazza, remembered for his elegance on the field and dribbling abilities, places him in the pantheon of all time World Cup greats.

Iconic moment:

Spain, playing in their first World Cup match ever, defeated Brazil 3-1. Legendary goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora, the same man La Liga’s best goalkeeper award is named for, was also the first to ever stop a penalty in a World Cup during the same game.

Quality of play:

The Italians utilized the 2-3-2-3 method to great effect, while most teams utilized a 2-3-5 formation. Teams were not afraid to play offensively, something that would change in the ensuing decades, and as a result the era produced brilliant strikers such as Meazza, Angelo Schiavo of Italy, Matthias Sindelar of Austria and Oldrich Nejedly of Czechoslovakia.

Kits:

It was a time when kits were plain, but are now considered to have an enduring classic look. Among the best: Italy’s iconic sky blue shirts were featured for the first time at a World Cup, while Spain’s red shirt was also featured for the first time at the tournament. Among the stranger ones was Brazil’s white jerseys.

Miscellaneous:

For the first, and only, time in a World Cup the host nation had to qualify for the finals. Italy did so, defeating Greece 4-0.

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