View source for 1950 FIFA World Cup qualification

{{short description|Football tournament}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name   = 1950 FIFA World Cup Qualification
| year           = 
| alt            =
| caption        =
| dates          = 2 June 1949 – 15 April 1950
| num_teams      = 34
| confederations = 3
| matches        = 26
| goals          = 121
| attendance     = 
| top_scorer     ={{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jack Rowley]]<br />{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Horacio Casarín]]<br />{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Luis de la Fuente (Mexican footballer)|Luis de la Fuente]]<br />{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Željko Čajkovski]] <br />(4 goals each)
| prevseason     = [[1938 FIFA World Cup qualification|1938]]
| nextseason     = [[1954 FIFA World Cup qualification|1954]]
}}
A total of 34 teams entered the [[FIFA World Cup qualification|qualification]] rounds of the [[1950 FIFA World Cup]], competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], as the hosts, and [[Italy national football team|Italy]], as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.

The remaining 32 teams were divided into 10 groups, based on geographical considerations, as follows:
*Groups 1 to 6 – [[Europe]]: ''7 places'', contested by 18 teams (including [[Israel national football team|Israel]] and [[Syria national football team|Syria]]).
*Groups 7 to 9 – [[The Americas]]: ''6 places'', contested by 10 teams.
*Group 10 – [[Asia]]: ''1 place'', contested by 4 teams.
However, due to the withdrawals of [[India national football team|India]], [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] and [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]] after qualifying, only 13 teams actually competed in the final tournament.

A total of 19 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 26 qualifying matches were played, and 121 goals were scored (an average of 4.65 per match).

Listed below are the dates and results of the qualification rounds.

== Groups ==
The 10 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 and 4''' 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 final round directly. The 2 unseeded teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would advance to final round. 
** '''Final Round''': The seeded team played against the winner of the First Round on a home-and-away basis. The winner would qualify.
*'''Group 5''' had 3 teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.
*'''Group 6''' had 2 teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.
*'''Group 7''' had 3 teams. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
*'''Group 8''' had 4 teams. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
*'''Group 9''' had 3 teams. The teams played against each other twice. The group winner and runner-up would qualify.
*'''Group 10''' had 4 teams. The group winner would qualify.

=== Group 1 ===
{{See also|1949–50 British Home Championship}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=ENG|name_ENG={{fb|ENG}}
|team2=SCO|name_SCO={{fb|SCO}}
|team3=WAL|pos_WAL=3=|name_WAL={{fb|WAL|1807}}
|team4=IRE|pos_IRE=3=|name_IRE={{fb|IRE|name=Ireland (IFA)}}
|win_ENG=3|draw_ENG=0|loss_ENG=0|gf_ENG=14|ga_ENG=3
|win_SCO=2|draw_SCO=0|loss_SCO=1|gf_SCO=10|ga_SCO=3
|win_WAL=0|draw_WAL=1|loss_WAL=2|gf_WAL=1|ga_WAL=6
|win_IRE=0|draw_IRE=1|loss_IRE=2|gf_IRE=4|ga_IRE=17

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A|result2=A
|update=complete|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html RSSSF]

}}

{{football box 
|date = 1 October 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|IRE|name=Ireland (IFA)}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427090918/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Northern_Ireland/World_Cup/1950fwcNIR_v_SCO Report]
|score = 2–8
|team2 = {{fb|SCO}}
|goals1 = [[Samuel Smyth|Smyth]] {{goal|50||59}}
|goals2 = [[Henry Morris (footballer)|Morris]] {{goal|2||70||88}}<br />[[William Waddell (footballer)|Waddell]] {{goal|5||31|pen.}}<br />[[Billy Steel|Steel]] {{goal|23}}<br />[[Lawrence Reilly|Reilly]] {{goal|24}}<br />[[Jimmy Mason (footballer, born 1919)|Mason]] {{goal|80}}
|location = [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]
|stadium = [[Windsor Park]]
|attendance = 50,000
|referee = [[Reginald Mortimer]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 15 October 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|WAL|1807}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091211/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Wales/World_Cup/1950fwcWAL_v_ENG Report]
|score = 1–4
|team2 = {{fb|ENG}}
|goals1 = [[Mal Griffiths|Griffiths]] {{goal|80}}
|goals2 = [[Stan Mortensen|Mortensen]] {{goal|22}}<br />[[Jackie Milburn|Milburn]] {{goal|29||34||66}}
|location = [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]]
|stadium = [[Ninian Park]]
|attendance = 60,000
|referee = [[Jack Mowat]] ([[Scottish Football Association|Scotland]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 9 November 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SCO}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091249/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Scotland/World_Cup/1950fwcSCO_v_WAL Report]
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|WAL|1807}}
|goals1 = [[John McPhail (footballer)|McPhail]] {{goal|25}}<br />[[Alexander Linwood|Linwood]] {{goal|78}}
|location = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]]
|stadium = [[Hampden Park]]
|attendance = 73,782
|referee = [[S.K. Law]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 16 November 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ENG}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110430204807/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/England/World_Cup/1950fwcENG_v_NIR Report]
|score = 9–2
|team2 = {{fb|IRE|name=Ireland (IFA)}}
|goals1 = [[Jack Rowley|Rowley]] {{goal|6||47||56||58}}<br />[[Jack Froggatt|Froggatt]] {{goal|25}}<br />[[Stan Mortensen|Mortensen]] {{goal|35||50}}<br />[[Stan Pearson|Pearson]] {{goal|33||68}}
|goals2 = [[Samuel Smyth|Smyth]] {{goal|55}}<br />[[Bobby Brennan|Brennan]] {{goal|75}}
|location = [[Manchester]], [[England]]
|stadium = [[Maine Road]]
|attendance = 57,000
|referee = [[Mervyn Griffiths]] ([[Football Association of Wales|Wales]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 8 March 1950
|team1 = {{fb-rt|WAL|1807}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091037/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Wales/World_Cup/1950fwcWAL_v_NIR Report]
|score = 0–0
|team2 = {{fb|IRE||name=Ireland (IFA)}}
|location = [[Wrexham]], [[Wales]]
|stadium = [[Racecourse Ground]]
|attendance = 60,000
|referee = [[Reginald Leafe]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 15 April 1950
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SCO}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110430204817/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Scotland/World_Cup/1950fwcSCO_v_ENG Report]
|score = 0–1
|team2 = {{fb|ENG}}
|goals2 = [[Roy Bentley|Bentley]] {{goal|64}}
|location = [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]]
|stadium = [[Hampden Park]]
|attendance = 138,000
|referee = [[Reginald Leafe]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}

'''England''' qualified. Scotland also qualified, but declined to participate.

=== Group 2 ===

==== First round ====
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=TUR|name_TUR={{fb|TUR}}
|team2=SYR|name_SYR={{fb|SYR|1932}}
|win_TUR=1|draw_TUR=0|loss_TUR=0|gf_TUR=7|ga_TUR=0
|win_SYR=0|draw_SYR=0|loss_SYR=1|gf_SYR=0|ga_SYR=7

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A
|update=complete|source=[https://www.11v11.com/matches/turkey-v-syria-20-november-1949-225764/ 11v11.com]}}
{{football box 
|date = 20 November 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|TUR}}
|report =[https://www.11v11.com/matches/turkey-v-syria-20-november-1949-225764/ Report]
|score = 7–0
|team2 = {{fb|SYR|1932}}
|goals1 = [[Fahreddin Cansever|Cansever]] {{goal|12||16||87}}<br />[[Bülent Eken|Eken]] {{goal|44}}<br />[[Lefter Küçükandonyadis|Kücükandonyadis]] {{goal|66}}<br />[[Erol Keskin|Keskin]] {{goal|67}}<br />[[Gündüz Kılıç|Kilic]] {{goal|72}}
|location = [[Ankara]], [[Turkey]]
|stadium = [[Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium|19 Mayıs Stadium]]
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = [[Antonio Gamba]] ([[Italian Football Federation|Italy]])
}}

Syria withdrew, and remaining match was not played.

'''Turkey''' advanced to the Final Round.

==== Final round ====
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=PP
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=TUR|name_TUR={{fb|TUR}}
|team2=AUT|name_AUT={{fb|AUT}}
|pos_TUR=—
|pos_AUT=—

|col_A=green1|text_A=Qualified, later withdrew
|result1=A
|col_W=black1|text_W=Withdrew
|result2=W
|update=complete|source=[https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37364595/a-tournament-unlike-other ESPN]
}}
Austria withdrew, so Turkey qualified automatically. But Turkey later also withdrew, and FIFA offered the place to Portugal, the runner-up of Group 6, but they declined. FIFA decided not to allow anyone else to qualify, leaving the World Cup two teams short.<ref>https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37364595/a-tournament-unlike-other</ref>

=== Group 3 ===

==== First round ====
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=YUG|name_YUG={{fb|YUG}}
|team2=ISR|name_ISR={{fb|ISR}}
|win_YUG=2|draw_YUG=0|loss_YUG=0|gf_YUG=11|ga_YUG=2
|win_ISR=0|draw_ISR=0|loss_ISR=2|gf_ISR=2|ga_ISR=11

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{football box 
|date = 21 August 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|YUG}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145237/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Yugoslavia/World_Cup/1950fwcYUG_v_ISR Report]
|score = 6–0
|team2 = {{fb|ISR}}
|goals1 = [[Milutin Pajević|Pajević]] {{goal|12||19||26}}<br />[[Božidar Senčar|Senčar]] {{goal|44}}<br />[[Željko Čajkovski|Že. Čajkovski]] {{goal|63}}<br />[[Stjepan Bobek|Bobek]] {{goal|83|pen.}}
|location = [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]]
|stadium = [[Partizan Stadium|JNA Stadion]]
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = [[Giovanni Galeati]] ([[Italian Football Federation|Italy]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 18 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ISR}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124334/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Israel/World_Cup/1950fwcISR_v_YUG Report]
|score = 2–5
|team2 = {{fb|YUG}}
|goals1 = [[Yehoshua Glazer|Glazer]] {{goal|65||76}}
|goals2 = [[Marko Valok|Valok]] {{goal|19||64}}<br />[[Stjepan Bobek|Bobek]] {{goal|20}}<br />[[Zlatko Čajkovski|Zl. Čajkovski]] {{goal|41}}<br />[[Željko Čajkovski|Že. Čajkovski]] {{goal|82}}
|location = [[Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]]
|stadium = [[Maccabiah Stadium]]
|attendance = 20,000
|referee = [[Jozsef Künsztler]] ([[Hungarian Football Federation|Hungary]])
}}

'''Yugoslavia''' advanced to the Final Round.

==== Final round ====
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=FRA|pos_FRA=1|name_FRA={{fb|FRA|1794}}
|team2=YUG|pos_YUG=1|name_YUG={{fb|YUG}}
|win_FRA=0|draw_FRA=2|loss_FRA=0|gf_FRA=2|ga_FRA=2
|win_YUG=0|draw_YUG=2|loss_YUG=0|gf_YUG=2|ga_YUG=2

|col_E=#fdd|text_E=
|result1=E|result2=E
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{football box 
|date = 9 October 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|YUG}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091115/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Yugoslavia/World_Cup/1950fwcFRA_v_YUG Report]
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|FRA|1794}}
|goals1 = [[Željko Čajkovski|Že. Čajkovski]] {{goal|36}}
|goals2 = [[Henri Baillot|Baillot]] {{goal|55}}
|location = [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]]
|stadium = [[Partizan Stadium|JNA Stadion]]
|attendance = 50,000
|referee = [[Karel van der Meer]] ([[Royal Dutch Football Association|Netherlands]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 30 October 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|FRA|1794}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110430204814/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/France/World_Cup/1950fwcYUG_v_FRA Report]
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|YUG}}
|goals1 = [[Henri Baillot|Baillot]] {{goal|8}}
|goals2 = [[Stjepan Bobek|Bobek]] {{goal|44}}
|location = [[Paris]], [[France]]
|stadium = [[Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir|Stade Olympique de Colombes]]
|attendance = 53,569
|referee = [[Peter Scherz]] ([[Swiss Football Association|Swiss]])
}}

''France 2–2 Yugoslavia on aggregate, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would qualify.''

{{football box 
|date = 11 December 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|YUG}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091156/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Yugoslavia/World_Cup/1950fwcYUG_v_FRA_2 Report]
|score = 3–2
|aet=yes
|team2 = {{fb|FRA|1794}}
|goals1 = [[Prvoslav Mihajlović|Mihajlović]] {{goal|12||84|pen.}}<br />[[Željko Čajkovski|Že. Čajkovski]] {{goal|114}}
|goals2 = [[Marius Walter|Walter]] {{goal|13}}<br />[[Jean Luciano|Luciano]] {{goal|83}}
|location = [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|stadium = [[Stadio Artemio Franchi|Stadio Giovanni Berta]]
|attendance = 25,000
|referee = [[Giovanni Galeati]] ([[Italian Football Federation|Italy]])
}}

'''Yugoslavia''' qualified while France were also offered a place by FIFA. France initially accepted, but later declined.

=== Group 4 ===

==== First round ====
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=SUI|name_SUI={{fb|SUI}}
|team2=LUX|name_LUX={{fb|LUX}}
|win_SUI=2|draw_SUI=0|loss_SUI=0|gf_SUI=8|ga_SUI=4
|win_LUX=0|draw_LUX=0|loss_LUX=2|gf_LUX=4|ga_LUX=8

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{football box 
|date = 26 June 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SUI}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110430204811/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Switzerland/World_Cup/1950fwcSUI_v_LUX Report]
|score = 5–2
|team2 = {{fb|LUX}}
|goals1 = [[René Maillard (footballer)|Maillard]] {{goal|20}}<br />[[Jacques Fatton|Fatton]] {{goal|30||41}}<br />[[Robert Ballaman|Ballaman]] {{goal|48}}<br />[[Kiki Antenen|Antenen]] {{goal|59}}
|goals2 = [[Camille Wagner|Wagner]] {{goal|3}}<br />[[Michel Reuter|Reuter]] {{goal|88}}
|location = [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]]
|stadium = [[Hardturm]]
|referee = Charles Delasalle ([[French Football Federation|France]])
|attendance = 15,000
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 18 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|LUX}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427090957/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Luxembourg/World_Cup/1950fwcLUX_v_SUI Report]
|score = 2–3
|team2 = {{fb|SUI}}
|goals1 = [[Armand Muller|Muller]] {{goal|3}}<br />[[Jim Kremer|Kremer]] {{goal|38}}
|goals2 = [[René Maillard (footballer)|Maillard]] {{goal|1}}<br />[[Hans-Peter Friedländer|Friedländer]] {{goal|59}}<br />[[Jacques Fatton|Fatton]] {{goal|75}}
|location = [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]], [[Luxembourg]]
|stadium = [[Stade Josy Barthel|Stade Municipal]]
|referee =  Pierre Theunen ([[Royal Belgian Football Association|Belgium]])
|attendance = 3,000
}}

'''Switzerland''' advanced to the Final Round.

==== Final round ====
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=PP
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=SUI|name_SUI={{fb|SUI}}
|team2=BEL|name_BEL={{fb|BEL}}
|pos_SUI=—
|pos_BEL=—

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=Qualified
|result1=A
|col_W=|text_W=Withdrew
|result2=W
|update=complete|source=
}}
Belgium withdrew, so '''Switzerland''' qualified automatically.

=== Group 5 ===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=SWE|name_SWE={{fb|SWE}}
|team2=IRL|name_IRL={{fb|IRL|name=Ireland (FAI)}}
|team3=FIN|name_FIN={{fb|FIN}}
|win_SWE=2|draw_SWE=0|loss_SWE=0|gf_SWE=6|ga_SWE=2
|win_IRL=1|draw_IRL=1|loss_IRL=2|gf_IRL=6|ga_IRL=7
|win_FIN=0|draw_FIN=1|loss_FIN=1|gf_FIN=1|ga_FIN=4

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{football box
| date = 2 June 1949
| team1 = {{fb-rt|SWE}}
| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091056/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Sweden/World_Cup/1950fwcIRL_v_SWE Report]
| score = 3–1
| team2 = {{fb|IRL|name=Ireland (FAI)}}
| goals1 = [[Sune Andersson (footballer, born 1921)|Andersson]] {{goal|17|pen.}}<br />[[Hasse Jeppson|Jeppson]] {{goal|37}}<br />[[Nils Liedholm|Liedholm]] {{goal|69}}
| goals2 = [[Davy Walsh|Walsh]] {{goal|9}}
| location = [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]]
| stadium = [[Råsunda Stadion]]
| attendance = 36,200
| referee = [[Louis Baert]] ([[Royal Belgian Football Association|Belgium]])
| event = 
| time = 
| round = 
| score1 = 
| score2 = 
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 8 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|IRL|name=Ireland (FAI)}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091312/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Republic_of_Ireland/World_Cup/1950fwcIRL_v_FIN Report]
|score = 3–0
|team2 = {{fb|FIN}}
|goals1 = [[Johnny Gavin (footballer)|Gavin]] {{goal|35}}<br />[[Con Martin|Martin]] {{goal|44|pen.|68}}
|location = [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|stadium = [[Dalymount Park]]
|attendance = 36,000
|referee = [[W.H.E. Evan]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}
----
<!-- {{football box 
|date = 2 October 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SWE}}
|report = 
|score = 8–1
|team2 = {{fb|FIN}}
|goals1 = [[Egon Jönsson|Jönsson]] {{goal|7||9||17}}<br/>[[Ingvar Rydell|Rydell]] {{goal|24||75||83}}<br />[[Karl-Erik Palmér|Palmér]] {{goal|41}}<br />[[Karl-Erik Jacobsson|Jakobsson]] {{goal|89}}
|goals2 = [[Jorma Vaihela|Vaihela]] {{goal|4}}
|location = [[Malmö]], [[Sweden]]
|stadium = Malmö
|attendance = 
|referee = 
}}
---- -->
{{football box 
|date = 9 October 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|FIN}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091019/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Republic_of_Ireland/World_Cup/1950fwcFIN_v_IRL Report]
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|IRL|name=Ireland (FAI)}}
|goals1 = [[Jorma Vaihela|Vaihela]] {{goal|89}}
|goals2 = [[Peter Farrell (Irish footballer)|Farrell]] {{goal|65}}
|location = [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]
|stadium = [[Helsinki Olympic Stadium|Olympiastadion]]
|attendance = 13,437
|referee = [[Johan Bronkhorst]] ([[Royal Dutch Football Association|Netherlands]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 13 November 1949
|team1 = [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Ireland (FAI)]] {{flagicon|IRE}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110430204804/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Republic_of_Ireland/World_Cup/1950fwcSWE_v_IRL Report]
|score = 1–3
|team2 = {{fb|SWE}}
|goals1 = [[Con Martin|Martin]] {{goal|61|pen.}}
|goals2 = [[Karl-Erik Palmér|Palmér]] {{goal|4||40||68}}
|location = [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|stadium = [[Dalymount Park]]
|attendance = 43,000
|referee = [[William Ling (referee)|William Ling]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}

'''Sweden''' qualified. Finland withdrew before the group was completed. Ireland (FAI) were subsequently invited to enter competition but declined the opportunity because of travelling costs.<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/invitation-to-world-cup-turned-down-477575.html Invitation to World Cup turned down] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430160741/http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/invitation-to-world-cup-turned-down-477575.html |date=30 April 2011 }} www.independent.ie, February 22, 2004</ref>

Sweden beat Finland 8–1 on 2 October 1949 in Malmö.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allworldcup.narod.ru/1950/QUALIFYI.HTM#M4|title=WORLD CUP 1950|website=allworldcup.narod.ru|access-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010070142/http://www.allworldcup.narod.ru/1950/QUALIFYI.HTM|archive-date=10 October 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> However, FIFA's website does not include this match in the list of matches or in the group standings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/brazil1950/groups/preliminaries/europe/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908052831/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/brazil1950/groups/preliminaries/europe/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2015|title=1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil - Groups|website=FIFA.com|access-date=3 August 2018}}</ref> [[RSSSF]]'s website lists the match with the note "Sweden played B-team", and does not provide group standings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html|title=World Cup 1950 Qualifying|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=3 August 2018}}</ref>

=== Group 6 ===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|winpoints=2

|team1=ESP|name_ESP={{fb|SPA|1945}}
|team2=POR|name_POR={{fb|POR}}
|win_ESP=1|draw_ESP=1|loss_ESP=0|gf_ESP=7|ga_ESP=3
|win_POR=0|draw_POR=1|loss_POR=1|gf_POR=3|ga_POR=7

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{football box 
|date = 2 April 1950
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SPA|1945}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427091228/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Spain/World_Cup/1950fwcESP_v_POR Report]
|score = 5–1
|team2 = {{fb|POR}}
|goals1 = [[Telmo Zarra|Zarra]] {{goal|11||58}}<br />[[Estanislau Basora|Basora]] {{goal|13}}<br />[[José Luis Panizo|Panizo]] {{goal|15}}<br />[[Luis Molowny|Molowny]] {{goal|65}}
|goals2 = [[Fernando Cabrita|Cabrita]] {{goal|36}}
|location = [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]
|stadium = [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium|Estadio Nuevo Chamartín]]
|attendance = 80,000
|referee = [[Reg Leafe]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 9 April 1950
|team1 = {{fb-rt|POR}}
|report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110427090855/http://scoreshelf.com/gjdb/en/Portugal/World_Cup/1950fwcPOR_v_ESP Report]
|score = 2–2
|team2 = {{fb|SPA|1945}}
|goals1 = [[José Travassos|Travassos]] {{goal|51}}<br />[[Jesus Correia|Correia]] {{goal|53}}
|goals2 = [[Telmo Zarra|Zarra]] {{goal|24}}<br />[[Agustín Gaínza|Gaínza]] {{goal|82}}
|location = [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
|stadium = [[Estádio Nacional|Jamor]]
|attendance = 30,000
|referee = [[Jack Mowat]] ([[Scottish Football Association|Scotland]])
}}

'''Spain''' qualified. Portugal were also invited to take part but they declined.

=== Group 7 ===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=PP
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=BOL|name_BOL={{fb|BOL}}
|team2=CHI|name_CHI={{fb|CHI}}
|team3=ARG|name_ARG={{fb|ARG}}
|pos_BOL=1
|pos_CHI=1
|pos_ARG=3

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=Qualified
|result1=A|result2=A
|col_W=|text_W=Withdrew
|result3=W
|update=complete|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html RSSSF]
}}
Argentina withdrew, so '''Bolivia''' and '''Chile''' qualified automatically.<ref>Lisi, C. A. (2015:47). ''A History of the World Cup: 1930-2014''. United States: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.</ref>

=== Group 8 ===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=PP
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=URU|name_URU={{fb|URU}}
|team2=PAR|name_PAR={{fb|PAR|1842}}
|team3=ECU|name_ECU={{fb|ECU|1900}}
|team4=PER|name_PER={{fb|PER|1884}}
|pos_URU=1
|pos_PAR=1
|pos_ECU=3
|pos_PER=3

|col_A=green1|text_A=Qualified
|result1=A|result2=A
|col_W=|text_W=Withdrew
|result3=W|result4=W
|update=complete|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html RSSSF]
}}
Ecuador and Peru withdrew, so '''Uruguay''' and '''Paraguay''' qualified automatically.<ref>Lisi, C. A. (2015:47). A History of the World Cup: 1930-2014. United States: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.</ref>

=== Group 9 ===
{{See also|1949 NAFC Championship}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=MEX|name_MEX={{fb|MEX|1934}}
|team2=USA|name_USA={{fb|USA|1912}}
|team3=CUB|name_CUB={{fb|CUB}}
|win_MEX=4|draw_MEX=0|loss_MEX=0|gf_MEX=17|ga_MEX=2
|win_USA=1|draw_USA=1|loss_USA=2|gf_USA=8|ga_USA=15
|win_CUB=0|draw_CUB=1|loss_CUB=3|gf_CUB=3|ga_CUB=11

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=
|result1=A|result2=A
|update=complete|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/north-am-champ49.html RSSSF]
}}

{{football box 
|date = 4 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|USA|1912}}
|report = https://www.11v11.com/matches/mexico-v-usa-04-september-1949-225726/
|score = 0–6
|team2 = {{fb|MEX|1934}}
|goals2 = [[Antonio Flores (footballer)|Flores]] {{goal|20}}<br />[[Luis Luna (Mexican footballer)|Luna]] {{goal|30}}<br />[[Luis de la Fuente (Mexican footballer)|de la Fuente]] {{goal|37||55||58}}<br />[[Carlos Septién (footballer)|Septién]] {{goal|85}}
|location = [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
|stadium = [[Azul Stadium|Estadio de los Deportes]]
|attendance = 60,000
|referee = [[José Tapia (referee)|José Tapia]] ([[Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba|Cuba]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 11 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|MEX|1934}}
|report = https://www.11v11.com/matches/mexico-v-cuba-11-september-1949-225730/
|score = 2–0
|team2 = {{fb|CUB}}
|goals1 = [[Luis Luna (Mexican footballer)|Luna]] {{goal|26}}<br />[[Horacio Casarín|Casarín]] {{goal|57}}
|location = [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
|stadium = [[Azul Stadium|Estadio de los Deportes]]
|attendance = 60,000
|referee = [[Prudencio García]] ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 14 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CUB}}
|report = https://www.11v11.com/matches/cuba-v-usa-14-september-1949-225731/
|score = 1–1
|team2 = {{fb|USA|1912}}
|goals1 = [[José Gómez (Cuban footballer)|Gómez]] {{goal|28}}
|goals2 = [[Frank Wallace (soccer)|Wallace]] {{goal|23}}
|location = [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
|stadium = [[Azul Stadium|Estadio de los Deportes]]
|attendance = 8,000
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 18 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|MEX|1934}}
|report = https://www.11v11.com/matches/mexico-v-usa-18-september-1949-225734/
|score = 6–2
|team2 = {{fb|USA|1912}}
|goals1 = [[Héctor Ortiz (footballer)|Ortiz]] {{goal|14}}<br />[[Horacio Casarín|Casarín]] {{goal|23||41||76}}<br />[[Luis de la Fuente (Mexican footballer)|de la Fuente]] {{goal|47}}<br />[[Mario Ochoa (footballer)|Ochoa]] {{goal|89}}
|goals2 = [[John Souza|Souza]] {{goal|52}}<br />[[Ben Wattman|Wattman]] {{goal|90}}
|location = [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
|stadium = [[Azul Stadium|Estadio de los Deportes]]
|attendance = 30,000
|referee = [[José Tapia (referee)|José Tapia]] ([[Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba|Cuba]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 21 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|USA|1912}}
|report = https://www.11v11.com/matches/usa-v-cuba-21-september-1949-225736/
|score = 5–2
|team2 = {{fb|CUB}}
|goals1 = [[Walter Bahr|Bahr]] {{goal|16}}<br />[[John Souza|Souza]] {{goal|23}}<br />[[Pete Matevich|Matevich]] {{goal|30||35}}<br />[[Frank Wallace (soccer)|Wallace]] {{goal|48}}
|goals2 = [[Jacinto Barquín|Barquín]] {{goal|42}}<br />[[Santiago Veiga|Veiga]] {{goal|50}}
|location = [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
|stadium = [[Azul Stadium|Estadio de los Deportes]]
|attendance = 5,000
|referee = [[José Tapia (referee)|José Tapia]] ([[Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba|Cuba]])
}}
----
{{football box 
|date = 25 September 1949
|team1 = {{fb-rt|MEX|1934}}
|report = https://www.11v11.com/matches/mexico-v-cuba-25-september-1949-225738/
|score = 3–0
|team2 = {{fb|CUB}}
|goals1 = [[José Naranjo (footballer, born 1926)|Naranjo]] {{goal|44||88}}<br />[[Antonio Flores (footballer)|Flores]] {{goal|58}}
|location = [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
|stadium = [[Azul Stadium|Estadio de los Deportes]]
|attendance = 35,000
|referee = [[Prudencio García]] ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
}}

'''Mexico''' and the '''United States''' qualified.

=== Group 10 ===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=PP
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|team1=IND|name_IND={{fb|IND}}
|team2=MYA|name_MYA={{fb|MYA|1948|name=Burma}}
|team3=IDN|name_IDN={{fb|IDN}}
|team4=PHI|name_PHI={{fb|PHI|1936}}
|pos_IND=1
|pos_MYA=3
|pos_IDN=3
|pos_PHI=3

|col_A=#cfc|text_A=Qualified
|result1=A
|col_W=|text_W=Withdrew
|result2=W|result3=W|result4=W
|update=complete|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html rsssf.com]
}}
Burma, Indonesia and the Philippines all withdrew before the draw, so '''India''' qualified automatically. But India later also withdrew "because of the expense of travelling such a long way to play,"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/10200154 |title=World Cup: US v England match recalls 1950 upset |work=BBC |date=2 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923101550/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10200154 |archive-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] wanted to concentrate on [[Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics|the 1952 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cronin|first1=Brian|title=Did India withdraw from the 1950 World Cup because they were not allowed to play barefoot?|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/07/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723055108/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/07/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefoot.html|archive-date=23 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Although according to some reports, it was caused by a FIFA ruling that players were not allowed to play barefoot.<ref>[http://www1.sportschau.de/sportschau_specials/fussball/wm2014/wm_historie/index_29.html WM 1950 | Brasilien | sportschau.de<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110013353/http://www1.sportschau.de/sportschau_specials/fussball/wm2014/wm_historie/index_29.html |date=10 January 2013 }}</ref> FIFA decided not to invite anyone else, leaving the World Cup three teams short.

== Qualified teams ==
[[File:Qualification for the 1950 FIFA World Cup.png|thumb|500px|FIFA World Cup qualification 1950]]
[[File:1950 world cup.png|thumb|500px|Participating countries after 3 of the 16 qualifying countries withdrew.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!width=200|Team
!width=80|Finals appearance
!width=50|Streak
!width=80|Last appearance
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BOL}}
|2nd||1||[[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BRA|1889}} '''(H)'''
|4th||4||[[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CHI}}
|2nd||1||[[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ENG}}
|1st||1||—
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|IND}}
|1st||1||—
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ITA}} '''(C)'''
|3rd||3||[[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MEX|1934}}
|2nd||1||[[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|PAR|1842}}
|2nd||1||[[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ESP|1945}}
|2nd||1||[[1934 FIFA World Cup|1934]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SCO}}
|1st||1||—
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SWE}}
|3rd||3||[[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SUI}}
|3rd||3||[[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|TUR}}
|1st||1||—
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|USA|1912}}
|3rd||1||[[1934 FIFA World Cup|1934]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|URU}}
|2nd||1||[[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|YUG}}
|2nd||1||[[1930 FIFA World Cup|1930]]
|}

*{{fb|IND}}, {{fb|SCO}} and {{fb|TUR}} withdrew after qualifying.
*'''(H)''' – qualified automatically as hosts
*'''(C)''' – qualified automatically as defending champions

==Goalscorers==

;4 goals
{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jack Rowley]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Horacio Casarín]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Luis de la Fuente (footballer, born 1914)|Luis de la Fuente]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Željko Čajkovski]]
{{div col end}}

;3 goals
{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jackie Milburn]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stan Mortensen]]
*{{flagicon|IRE|1783}} [[Sammy Smyth]]
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Con Martin]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Henry Morris (footballer)|Henry Morris]]
*{{flagicon|SPA|1945}} [[Telmo Zarra]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Karl-Erik Palmér]]
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Jacques Fatton]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Fahrettin Cansever]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Stjepan Bobek]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Milutin Pajević]]
{{div col end}}

;2 goals
{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stan Pearson]]
*{{flagicon|FRA|1794}} [[Henri Baillot]]
*{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Yehoshua Glazer]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Antonio Flores (footballer, born 1923)|Antonio Flores]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Luis Luna (Mexican footballer)|Luis Luna]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[José Naranjo (footballer, born 1926)|José Naranjo]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Willie Waddell|William Waddell]]
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[René Maillard (footballer)|René Maillard]]
*{{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Pete Matevich]]
*{{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[John Souza]]
*{{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Frank Wallace (soccer)|Frank Wallace]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Prvoslav Mihajlović]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Marko Valok]]
{{div col end}}

;1 goal
{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}
*{{flagicon|CUB}} [[Jacinto Barquín]]
*{{flagicon|CUB}} [[José Gómez (Cuban footballer)|José Gómez]]
*{{flagicon|CUB}} [[Santiago Veiga]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Roy Bentley]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jack Froggatt]]
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Jorma Vaihela]]
*{{flagicon|FRA|1794}} [[Jean Luciano]]
*{{flagicon|FRA|1794}} [[Marius Walter]]
*{{flagicon|IRE|1783}} [[Bobby Brennan]]
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Peter Farrell (Irish footballer)|Peter Farrell]]
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Johnny Gavin (footballer)|Johnny Gavin]]
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Davy Walsh]]
*{{flagicon|LUX}} [[Jim Kremer]]
*{{flagicon|LUX}} [[Armand Müller]]
*{{flagicon|LUX}} [[Michel Reuter]]
*{{flagicon|LUX}} [[Camille Wagner]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Mario Ochoa (footballer)|Mario Ochoa]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Héctor Ortiz (footballer)|Héctor Ortiz]]
*{{flagicon|MEX|1934}} [[Carlos Septién]]
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[Fernando Cabrita]]
*{{flagicon|POR}} António [[Jesus Correia]]
*{{flagicon|POR}} [[José Travassos]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Alec Linwood]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Jimmy Mason (footballer, born 1919)|Jimmy Mason]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[John McPhail (footballer)|John McPhail]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Lawrie Reilly]]
*{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Billy Steel]]
*{{flagicon|SPA|1945}} [[Estanislau Basora]]
*{{flagicon|SPA|1945}} [[Agustín Gaínza]]
*{{flagicon|SPA|1945}} [[Luis Molowny]]
*{{flagicon|SPA|1945}} [[José Luis Panizo]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Sune Anderson]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Hasse Jeppson]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Nils Liedholm]]
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Kiki Antenen]]
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Robert Ballaman]]
*{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Hans-Peter Friedländer]]
*{{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Walter Bahr]]
*{{flagicon|USA|1912}} [[Ben Wattman]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Bülent Eken]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Erol Keskin]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Gündüz Kılıç]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Lefter Küçükandonyadis|Lefter Kücükandonyadis]]
*{{flagicon|WAL|1807}} [[Mal Griffiths]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Zlatko Čajkovski]]
*{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Božidar Senčar]]
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
* At the start of 1950 there were, in effect, two ''Ireland''  teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the [[Northern Ireland]]-based [[Irish Football Association|IFA]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]]-based [[Football Association of Ireland|FAI]] claimed jurisdiction over the whole of [[Ireland]] and selected players from the whole island. As a result, several notable Irish players from this era played for both teams. Four players – [[Tom Aherne]], [[Reg Ryan]], [[Davy Walsh]] and [[Con Martin]] – actually played for both the [[Ireland national football team (FAI)|FAI XI]] and the [[Ireland national football team (IFA)|IFA XI]] in these qualifying rounds. [[FIFA]] intervened, after complaints from the FAI,<ref name="Ryan">{{cite book | last = Ryan | first = Sean | title = The Boys in Green: the FAI international story | publisher = Mainstream Publishing | year = 1997 | location = Edinburgh | isbn = 1-85158-939-2}} pp. 50.</ref> and subsequently restricted players' eligibility based on the political border. In 1953 FIFA ruled neither team could be referred to as ''Ireland'', decreeing that the FAI team be officially designated as the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]], while the IFA team was to become [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]].
* For the third qualifying tournament in a row, the South American teams qualified automatically after withdrawals. In Group 7, Bolivia and Chile did play two matches between them, but they were not classified as official World Cup qualifiers by FIFA.
* Burma, the Philippines and Indonesia all withdrew, so [[India national football team|India]] qualified automatically. However, India withdrew later because of "disagreements over team selection and insufficient practice time.". India had never been able to qualify for the World Cup before and have never been able to do since then, which means they are the only team to have qualified for the World Cup and that never played a World Cup match.
* [[Germany national football team|Germany]] and [[Japan national football team|Japan]] were both banned because of their actions during [[World War II]], [[Italy national football team|Italy]], despite originally being a member of the [[Axis powers]], was allowed to participate because its government was overthrown in 1943 and the new government sided with the Allies.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150204033114/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/brazil1950/groups/index.html#qualifier-groups FIFA World Cup Official Site – 1950 World Cup Qualification]
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tables/50q.html RSSSF – 1950 World Cup Qualification]
* [http://www.allworldcup.narod.ru/1950/QUALIFYI.HTM All World Cup – 1950 World Cup Qualification]

{{1950 FIFA World Cup qualification}}
{{FIFA World Cup qualification}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1950 Fifa World Cup Qualification}}
[[Category:1950 FIFA World Cup qualification| ]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup qualification]]