1954_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification
1954 FIFA World Cup qualification
International football competition
A total of 37 teams entered the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. Switzerland, as the hosts, and Uruguay, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.
Quick Facts Tournament details, Teams ...
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 37 (from 3 confederations) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 57 |
| Goals scored | 208 (3.65 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) |  Max Morlock (6 goals) |
← 1950 1958 → | |
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37 teams were divided into 13 groups, based on geographical considerations, as follows:
- Groups 1 to 10 – Europe: 11 places, contested by 27 teams (including Egypt and Israel).
- Group 11 and 12 – The Americas: 2 places, contested by 7 teams.
- Group 13 – Asia: 1 place, contested by 3 teams.
A total of 33 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 57 qualifying matches were played, and 208 goals were scored (an average of 3.65 per match).
Listed below are the dates and results of the qualification rounds.
The 13 groups had different rules, as follows:
- Groups 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 10 had 3 teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.
- Groups 5, 6 and 9 had 2 teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.
- Group 3 had 4 teams. The teams played against each other once. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
- Group 11 had 4 teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.
- Group 12 had 3 teams. The teams played against each other twice. The group winner would qualify.
- Group 13 had 3 teams. After Republic of China withdrew before the matches began, the remaining 2 teams played against each other twice. The group winner would qualify.
Group 1
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 1
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Germany |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | +9 | 7 |
| 2 |  Saar |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | −4 | 3 |
| 3 |  Norway |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | −5 | 2 |
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More information Norway, 2–3 ...
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More information West Germany, 3–0 ...
| West Germany | 3–0 | Saar |
|---|---|---|
Morlock  13', 50'Schade 70' |
Report |
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More information West Germany, 5–1 ...
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More information Saar, 1–3 ...
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West Germany qualified.
Group 2
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 2
More information Pos., Team ...
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More information Finland, 2–4 ...
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More information Sweden, 2–3 ...
Sweden  | 2–3 |  Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Bengtsson 20' Selmosson 26' |
Report | Anoul 28' Straetmans 37'Lemberechts 40' |
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More information Finland, 3–3 ...
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More information Sweden, 4–0 ...
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More information Belgium, 2–2 ...
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Belgium qualified. This was the first time Sweden failed to qualify.
Group 3
Main article: 1953–54 British Home Championship
This group was also the 1953–54 British Home Championship.
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  England |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 6 |
| 2 |  Scotland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 |  Northern Ireland |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 2 |
| 4 |  Wales |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 1 |
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More information Northern Ireland, 1–3 ...
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More information Wales, 1–4 ...
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More information Scotland, 3–3 ...
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More information England, 3–1 ...
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More information Wales, 1–2 ...
| Wales | 1–2 | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Charles 80' |
Report | McParland 1', 52' |
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More information Scotland, 2–4 ...
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England and Scotland qualified.
Group 4
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 4
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  France |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | +16 | 8 |
| 2 |  Republic of Ireland |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 |  Luxembourg |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 19 | −18 | 0 |
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More information Luxembourg, 1–6 ...
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Referee: Dörflinger (Switzerland)
More information Republic of Ireland, 3–5 ...
| Republic of Ireland | 3–5 | France |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan 58' (pen.) Walsh 83'O'Farrell 88' |
Report | Glovacki 23' Penverne 40'Ujlaki 50', 69'Flamion 72' |
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Referee: Franken (Belgium)
More information Republic of Ireland, 4–0 ...
| Republic of Ireland | 4–0 | Luxembourg |
|---|---|---|
| Fitzsimons 14', 83' Ryan 48' (pen.)Eglington 59' |
Report |
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Referee: Van Nuffel (Belgium)
More information France, 8–0 ...
| France | 8–0 | Luxembourg |
|---|---|---|
| Desgranges 2', 88' Vincent 6', 10'Fontaine 21', 75', 80'Foix 57' |
Report |
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Referee: Roeykens (Belgium)
Referee: Ausum (Netherlands)
France qualified.
Group 5
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 5
More information Pos., Team ...
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More information Austria, 9–1 ...
Austria  | 9–1 |  Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Ocwirk 13' Probst 14', 19', 31', 59', 70' Happel 68' (pen.)Wagner 83'Dienst 87' |
Report | Águas 60' |
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Referee: Bauwens (Belgium)
Referee: Harzic (France)
Austria qualified.
Group 6
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 6
More information Pos., Team ...
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More information Spain, 4–1 ...
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Referee: Vincentini (France)
Referee: Schmetzer (West Germany)
Spain and Turkey finished level on points, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would qualify.
More information Turkey, 2–2 (a.e.t.) ...
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Referee: Bernardi (Italy)
Luigi Franco Gemma, a 14-year-old Italian boy whose father worked at the stadium, picked Turkey's name from the lots with his eyes blindfolded.[1][2] Since the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals, goal difference has been used as a tiebreaker for future qualifying rounds. Had those rules been in place, Spain would have qualified, and Turkey would have been eliminated. This is the first time Spain failed to qualify. Therefore, Turkey qualified. This was the only time winner of aggregate score failed to qualify.
Group 7
More information Pos., Team ...
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Poland withdrew and Iceland had their entry rejected so Hungary qualified automatically.
Group 8
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Czechoslovakia |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
| 2 |  Romania |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 |  Bulgaria |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 1 |
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More information Romania, 3–1 ...
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More information Bulgaria, 1–2 ...
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More information Bulgaria, 1–2 ...
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Czechoslovakia qualified. This was the first time Romania failed to qualify.
Group 9
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 9
More information Pos., Team ...
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More information Italy, 5–1 ...
Italy  | 5–1 |  Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Pandolfini 1' Frignani 62'Boniperti 65', 86'Ricagni 84' |
El-Hamouly 32' |
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Italy qualified.
Group 10
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification Group 10
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Yugoslavia |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 8 |
| 2 |  Greece |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| 3 |  Israel |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 |
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Yugoslavia qualified.
Group 11
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Brazil |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 8 |
| 2 |  Paraguay |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 |  Chile |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | −9 | 0 |
| — |  Peru |
Withdrew | |||||||
| — |  Bolivia |
Entry rejected | |||||||
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More information Paraguay, 4–0 ...
| Paraguay | 4–0 | Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Lugo 30' J. Parodi 52'Hermosilla 70'S. Parodi 79' |
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Referee: Steiner (Austria)
Referee: Vincentini (France)
Referee: Vincentini (France)
Referee: Steiner (Austria)
Referee: Steiner (Austria)
More information Brazil, 4–1 ...
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Referee: Vincentini (France)
Brazil qualified. Despite having participated in every World Cup, this was the first time they played qualifying matches.
Group 12
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mexico |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | +18 | 8 |
| 2 |  United States |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 4 |
| 3 |  Haiti |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 18 | −16 | 0 |
| 4 |  Costa Rica |
Entry rejected | |||||||
| 5 |  Cuba |
Entry rejected | |||||||
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More information Mexico, 8–0 ...
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Referee: Crawford (England)
Referee: Van Rosberg (Netherlands Antilles)
More information Mexico, 4–0 ...
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Referee: Sunderland (England)
More information Mexico, 3–1 ...
| Mexico | 3–1 | United States |
|---|---|---|
| A. Torres 60', 89' Lamadrid 82' |
Looby 6' |
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Referee: Best (United States)
More information Haiti, 2–3 ...
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Referee: Van Rosberg (Netherlands Antilles)
Referee: Van Rosberg (Netherlands Antilles)
Mexico qualified.
Group 13
Main article: 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC – Group 13)
More information Pos., Team ...
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Korea |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 3 |
| 2 |  Japan |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 1 |
| 3 |  Republic of China |
Withdrew | |||||||
| 4 |  India |
Entry rejected | |||||||
| 5 |  Vietnam |
Entry rejected | |||||||
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More information Japan, 1–5 ...
| Japan | 1–5 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Naganuma 16' |
Chung Nam-sik 22', 83' Choi Kwang-suk 34'Choi Chung-min 68', 87' |
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More information South Korea, 2–2 ...
| South Korea | 2–2 | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Chung Nam-sik 20' Choi Chung-min 43' |
Iwatani 17', 61' |
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South Korea qualified.
More information Team, Date of qualification ...
| Team | Date of qualification | Finals appearance | Streak | Last appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria |
29 November 1953 | 3rd | 1 | 1938 |
| Belgium |
8 October 1953 | 4th | 1 | 1938 |
| Brazil |
21 March 1954 | 5th | 5 | 1950 |
| Czechoslovakia |
25 October 1953 | 3rd | 1 | 1938 |
| England |
11 November 1953 | 2nd | 2 | 1950 |
| France |
25 November 1953 | 4th | 1 | 1938 |
 Hungary (w) |
3rd | 1 | 1938 | |
| Italy |
24 January 1954 | 4th | 4 | 1950 |
| South Korea |
14 March 1954 | 1st | 1 | — |
| Mexico |
14 January 1954 | 3rd | 2 | 1950 |
| Scotland |
31 March 1954 | 1st | 1 | — |
 Switzerland (h) |
22 July 1946 | 4th | 4 | 1950 |
 Turkey |
17 March 1954 | 1st | 1 | — |
 Uruguay (c) |
16 July 1950 | 3rd | 2 | 1950 |
| West Germany |
28 March 1954 | 3rd | 1 | 1938 |
| Yugoslavia |
28 March 1954 | 3rd | 2 | 1950 |
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(h) – qualified automatically as hosts
(c) – qualified automatically as defending champions
(w) – qualified automatically because Poland withdrew
- 6 goals
- 5 goals
- 4 goals
- 3 goals
František Vlk
Nat Lofthouse
Kalevi Lehtovirta
Just Fontaine
Pedro Arnauda
Manuel Lugo
Choi Chung-Min- Chung Nam-Sik
John Charles
- 2 goals
Léopold Anoul- Mathieu Bollen
Júlio Botelho- Harold Hassall
- Dennis Wilshaw
- Olavi Lahtinen
- Jean Desgranges
- Pierre Flamion
- Léon Glovacki
- Roger Piantoni
- Joseph Ujlaki
- Jean Vincent
Gerard Ellie
Arthur Fitzsimons- Reg Ryan
Giampiero Boniperti- Amleto Frignani
Toshio Iwatani- Alfredo Torres
Peter McParland- José Parodi
József Pecsovszky
Allan Brown- Charlie Fleming
Burhan Sargın- Ivor Allchurch
Fritz Walter
- 1 goal
Robert Dienst- Ernst Happel
- Ernst Ocwirk
- Theodor Wagner
- Victor Lemberechts
- Victor Mees
- Jean-Louis Straetmans
- Maurinho
Stefan Bozhkov- Ivan Kolev
- Dobromir Tashkov
Ted Robledo- Emil Pažický
- František Šafránek
Ad-Diba- Alaa El-Hamouly
- Ronnie Allen
- Ivor Broadis
- Jimmy Mullen
- Johnny Nicholls
- Nils Rikberg
- Jorma Vaihela
- Raymond Cicci
- Jacques Foix
- Édouard Kargu
- Raymond Kopa
- Armand Penverne
Thanasis Bembis- Georgios Kamaras
- Dimitris Kokkinakis
- George Cummins
- Tommy Eglington
- Frank O'Farrell
- Davy Walsh
- Ermes Muccinelli
- Egisto Pandolfini
- Eduardo Ricagni
- Ken Naganuma
Antoine Kohn- Rafael Ávalos
- Gregorio Gómez
- José Naranjo
- Nicolás Tellez
- Norman Lockhart
- Eddie McMorran
Knut Dahlen- Harald Hennum
- Hans Nordahl
- Gunnar Thoresen
- Ireneo Hermosilla
- Eulogio Martínez
- Silvio Parodi
José Águas- Valeriu Călinoiu
- Alexandru Ene
- Gavril Serfözö
Herbert Binkert- Herbert Martin
- Werner Otto
- Gerhard Siedl
- Jackie Henderson
- Bobby Johnstone
- Willie Ormond
- Lawrence Reilly
- Choi Kwang-Suk
Rafael Alsua- José Artetxe
- Adrián Escudero
- Agustín Gaínza
- Miguel González
- Venancio García
Bengt Berndtsson- Hans Persson
- Gösta Sandberg
- Herbert Sandin
- Arne Selmosson
- Recep Adanır
- Suat Mamat
Cornelius Casey- Efrain Chacurian
- Ruben Mendoza
- Helmut Rahn
- Horst Schade
- Hans Schäfer
- Ottmar Walter
Frane Matošić- Miloš Milutinović
- Todor Veselinović
- Branko Zebec
- 1 own goal
- William Scheppel (playing against Mexico)
- Turkey qualified via the drawing of lots, after they and Spain finished level on points in Group 6 and a drawn play-off match in Rome.
- For the first time, qualification matches were actually played in South America; in the four previous World Cups, the South American teams qualified automatically due to withdrawals (in the case of 1934) or through the South American Football Championship (for the 1938 and 1950 tournaments), while there was no qualifying process in 1930. Argentina did not take part in the qualification process.
- As the French-occupied Saarland protectorate did not become part of Germany until 1957, the Saarland national team entered their only World Cup competition and actually had to play Germany in the qualifiers.
- The entries of Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Iceland, India and South Vietnam were rejected by FIFA.[3]
- After being banned from the 1950 tournament following the Second World War, Germany and Japan were both allowed to play again. West Germany qualified and became champions after defeating Hungary with a score of 3–2 in the final that became known as the Miracle of Bern.
- "Play-off history provides no clues for Spain". FIFA. 20 Oct 2005. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- Rogers, Iain (27 March 2009). "Don't mention the draw!". Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "History of the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition (by year)" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.