For the first time in World Cup history, qualifying rounds were played to decide which of the 32 applying teams would eventually be part of the 16 teams participating in the tournament, played in a knockout format all the way through.

In the final game, the spectators had to wait until the 70th minute for the first goal to be scored: Antonin Puc sent the Czech team into the lead. Ten minutes later, Raimundo Orsi brought the game to a tie and sent the game into overtime. Angelo Schiavio's score in the 95th minute marked the victory for host country Italy.

• Championship game: Italy vs. Czechoslovakia 2-1
• Number of teams participating: 16
• Venue Sites: Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Naples, Milan, Rome, Trieste, Turin