The British Home Nations, in a period of self-imposed exile from FIFA, also refused to participate, even though FIFA had offered England and Scotland direct entry to the tournament without qualification. As a result, the 1934 World Cup is the only one in which the reigning champions did not participate. Reigning World Cup holders Uruguay declined to participate, in protest at the refusal of several European countries to travel to South America for the previous World Cup, which Uruguay had hosted in 1930.

Even so, there were several notable absentees. Main article: 1934 FIFA World Cup qualificationģ6 countries applied to enter the tournament, so qualifying matches were required to thin the field to 16. The Federale 102 ball, which was manufactured in Italy, was the match ball provided for the 1934 World Cup.

Although some historians and sports journalists have made accusations of corruption and meddling by Mussolini to influence the competition to the benefit of Italy, Italy has always claimed to have deserved victory in the competition and the successful national team, considered to be one of the best in the country's history, emerged victorious also in the Olympic football tournament of 1936 hosted by Germany and in the 1938 World Cup hosted by France. In particular, Benito Mussolini was keen to use this World Cup as a means of promoting fascism. The 1934 World Cup was marred by being a high-profile instance of a sporting event being used for overt political gain. Italy beat Czechoslovakia, 2–1, to become the second World Cup champions and the inaugural European team titleholders. Reigning champions Uruguay boycotted the tournament as only four European teams had accepted their invitation to the 1930 tournament.

Thirty-two nations entered the competition 16 teams would qualify for the final tournament. The 1934 World Cup was the first in which teams had to qualify to take part. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934. The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football championship for senior men's national teams.

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