The straight knockout format of the last two tournaments was scrapped in favour of splitting 16 teams into four groups, but the plan was affected by a series of withdrawals.
The legend that India pulled out because they weren’t allowed to play barefoot has often been disputed, while Turkey and Scotland also withdrew, and Ireland were among the countries who turned down the chance of a late call-up, so the tournament went ahead with only 13 teams.
Italy’s participation was thrown into doubt when most of their team was wiped out in an air crash the year before, and although they did go, their hopes of a hat-trick were ended in the group stage.
Uniquely to this World Cup, there was no knockout phase. The four group winners – Brazil, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay – advanced to another round-robin group to decide the winners.
All of which meant there was no actual final, although the outcome did go down to the last match. Brazil just needed a draw with Uruguay to be champions, but the Uruguayans came from behind to win 2-1 and lift the trophy themselves.
More than 200,000 people are said to have been in attendance that day at the Maracana, which will again stage the final this summer, 64 years on.
