France 1938
France hosted the 1938 World Cup but endured a painfully brief campaign on home soil. The tournament used a straight knockout format from the start, meaning there was no safety net. France drew Belgium in the first round and were eliminated immediately a 3-1 defeat in which the hosts never found their rhythm. The match was played in Paris before a stunned crowd that had expected their team to advance deep into the competition. It was a humbling experience for the host nation, made worse by watching Italy lift the trophy on French soil. The 1938 tournament would be the last for twelve years the Second World War intervened and France would not host another World Cup until 1998, when Zidane and a new generation would finally deliver the title on home ground.
