Fifa World Cup 1934 - Host Nation Italy

Italy played hosts for the second ever World Cup at a time when Italy was under the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini.

32 nations wanted to participate and 16 nations qualified and only four were non-European, they being USA, Brazil, Argentina and Africa's first ever team, Egypt.

This was a straight knock-out competition with extra-time in case the teams were level after 90 minutes and a replay if they were level after extra time.

In the opening game the hosts played the USA and trashed them 7-1. It was It was all Europe after the first round as only European countries were left in the competition. One of the reasons to Europe's superiority, was the fact that Uruguay didn't enter and Argentina fielded a team full of reserves.

The Italian team had stars like Raimundo Orsi, Angelo Schiavio and Giuseppe Meazza who shone on their home soil.

Nejedly for the Czechs secured his country a place in the final when he scored a hat-trick against Germany in the semi final. Italy made the final Italy by beating Austria.

Italy went on to win their first World Cup by beating the Czechs 2-1 after extra time.