1938 FIFA World Cup Qualification - Format

Format

The 12 groups had different rules, as follows:

• Group 1 had 4 teams. The teams played against each other once. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
• Groups 2, 3, 4 and 7 had 2 teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.
• Group 5: had 2 teams. The teams played against each other once on neutral ground. The group winner would qualify.
• Groups 6 and 8 had 3 teams each. The strongest team of each group was seeded. There would be two rounds of play:
  • First Round: The seeded team received a bye and advanced to the Final Round directly. The remaining 2 teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would advance to the Final Round.
  • Final Round: The seeded team played against the winner of the First Round at home. The winner would qualify.
• Group 9 had 3 teams. The teams played against each other once. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
• Group 10 had 2 teams. The group winner would qualify.
• Group 11 had 7 teams. The group winner would qualify.
• Group 12 had 2 teams. The group winner would qualify.

Key:

• Teams highlighted in green qualified for the finals.
• Teams highlighted in Orange qualified for the final phase of their group.