URUGUAY 1930
The World Cup began in Uruguay as 13 teams battled it out to become the tournament's inaugural winners.
European interest waned after it was decided the championships should be contested in South America.
Controversy reigned in the second match in Pool One between Argentina and France.
Hard man Luisito Monti put the South Americans ahead just nine minutes from time and, with six minutes still remaining and a French forward through on goal, Brazilian referee Almeida Rego blew for full-time.
A near-riot ensued and despite the game resuming, France failed to find the net and finished third in their group.
Argentinian striker Guillermo Stabile, who grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-3 win against Mexico, ended the tournament as top scorer with eight goals.
The USA, who had topped their group without conceding a goal, were thumped 6-1 by Stabile and his team-mates at the semi-final stage.
Uruguay recorded an identical score against Yugoslavia to secure their place in the final - a match in which they came from behind to beat Argentina 4-2.
ITALY 1934
The Italians went into the tournament as clear favourites and did not disappoint, winning the trophy and becoming the second host country to lift the top prize.
A trio of Argentinians - Enrico Guaita, Luisito Monti and Raimondo Orsi - defected to join up with the Italians and form the nucleus of a strong side under the shrewd leadership of Vittorio Pozzo.
The format of the tournament differed from that seen in Uruguay, with the group stages abandoned in preference for a straight knock-out system.
This proved costly for both Brazil and Argentina who had sailed 8,000 miles to take part, only for the two sides to lose their first-round matches.
Hugo Meisl's Austria were said to be Italy's biggest rivals and they came head to head at the semi-final stage.
A heavy pitch prevented two footballing sides from playing an attractive passing game and it took a solitary strike from Guaita to settle the tie.
Czechoslovakia booked their place in the final with a 3-1 victory against Germany. Oldrich Nejedly netted twice as he ended the tournament as leading scorer with five.
Italy were 2-1 victors in the final, coming from behind to grab a dramatic winner in extra-time through Angelo Schiavio.
FRANCE 1938
The competition was disrupted by impending war and upheaval throughout Europe.
Only two of the first-round matches were decided after 90 minutes, with France and Hungary confidently brushing aside Belgium and the Dutch East Indies respectively.
Holders Italy scraped past Norway in what proved to be their toughest match of the tournament as they went on to defend their crown with ease.
The game of the championships was a remarkable contest between Brazil and Poland.
Leading 3-1 at the break following a hat-trick from star striker Leonidas, the Brazilians looked comfortable.
But, in a rampant second-half display the Poles, led by Ernest Wilimowski's treble, hauled the Europeans back into the game as the scores were level at 4-4 as extra-time began with the game ending 6-5.
Brazil were so confident of reaching the final they rested the eight-goal Leonidas for the semi-final clash with Italy and it proved costly as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat.
The defending champions went on to crush Hungary 4-2 in a one-sided final.
BRAZIL 1950
The tournament returned after World War II with a new prize for the winners - the Jules Rimet Trophy.
Argentina were absent - refusing to play in Brazil - while both Czechoslovakia and Scotland declined to take their places despite qualifying.
The Scots claimed they would only compete if they finished top of the Home Championship group, even though second position cemented a finals place.
But they failed, with England taking top spot.
The championships returned with a ramshackle group system, Brazil claiming Pool One and Uruguay winning the two-team Pool Four.
Pools Two and Three provided significant shocks, with Italy losing 3-2 against Sweden and England falling to their most embarrassing defeat in their history - 1-0 against the USA.
There was no World Cup final, with four teams - Brazil, Sweden, Uruguay and Spain - competing in a final pool.
Conveniently, Brazil and Uruguay faced each other in the final game to decide who would top the group and ultimately claim the prize - Alcide Ghiggia netting a late winner for Uruguay in a 2-1 victory.
SWITZERLAND 1954
Hungary arrived in Switzerland as the strongest favourites in World Cup history and they almost lived up to their billing.
With Ferenc Puskas, Nandor Hidegkuti and Sandor Kocsis scoring goals for fun, the 'Magic Magyars' rattled in 17 goals in two group matches - beating Korea 9-0 and West Germany 8-3.
The Hungarians clashed with Brazil in the 'Battle of Berne' in the quarter-finals. Three players were sent off and players from both sides were later involved in a dressing-room brawl.
England drew 4-4 with Belgium in their opening match and secured a quarter-final place with a 2-0 win against Switzerland, but that was as far as they went.
Scotland made an early exit from the competition, losing both matches and failing to score.
In the game of the tournament, Austria beat Switzerland 7-5. The Swiss scored three goals in 20 minutes, only for Austria to hit back with three strikes in as many minutes. In one seven-with two goals as they claimed a shock 3-2 victory.
