Thank you NTF! and yes, you are absolutely right in that point about Peron!
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If World War II Never Happened: A FIFA World Cup Timeline
- Thread starter NTF aka Seb
- Start date
With Wales playing at WC's earlier here than OTL plus possibly even qualifying for more then I could see the possibility of Welsh pride to rise which could lead the idea of Welsh clubs playing in England to form a Welsh football pyramid which could have some interesting butterflies going forward.
I only hope that Scotland are nowhere near as shambolic as OTL in 1954 due to lack or preparation and how they only flew to Switzerland with 13 players for the WC which honestly might have set the standards of failure for the national team.
I only hope that Scotland are nowhere near as shambolic as OTL in 1954 due to lack or preparation and how they only flew to Switzerland with 13 players for the WC which honestly might have set the standards of failure for the national team.
Most likely it won't be such a mess - they already have played in a World Cup twice by now TTL.
1954 FIFA World Cup - Group Stage
Part 11 - Second Blood
1954 FIFA World Cup - Group Stage
1954 FIFA World Cup - Group Stage
Brazil were out for blood after their devastating 1950 World Cup final loss. First blood was drawn in their opening 5-0 hammering of Mexico, who also lost 3-2 to France and 2-0 to Sweden. The Brazilians went on two edge out Sweden 2-1 before demolishing disappointing returners France 4-1 to top Group 1. Sweden crucially found a single goal to beat Le Bleus and secure a place in the quarter-finals. An unworthy return for the French, which had been 16 years in the making.
Group 1 of the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament saw Wales become the final Home Nation to make its World Cup debut. But they weren't the big talking point in Group 2, nor were newly independent and fellow debutants Korea. The name on everyone's lips was Hungary. And Sándor Kocsis. And Ferenc Puskás. And Nándor Hidegkuti. And the word "goal", because the Mighty Magyars scored a lot of them. Nine against the poor Koreans, followed by a 5-2 triumph over Spain and a 3-1 victory against The Dragons. After losing 2-1 to Spain in their opener, Wales only picked up points in their underwhelming 2-0 win over Korea. The Spaniards subsequently hammered the Koreans 7-0 to advance as the runner-up.
Group 2 of the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
Despite dropping a point in their opening 1-1 draw with Yugoslavia, holders Uruguay went on to breeze past Scotland 5-2 with unexpected ease before earning a comfortable 3-1 win against Belgium. It was anticipated that Scotland and Yugoslavia would compete for the second quarter-final spot, as Belgium had never made it to the final eight across their five attempts. Sixth time's the charm? Belgium started their campaign with a spectacular 3-3 draw with Scotland before upsetting Yugoslavia with a 1-0 win. Still, anything except a draw between Yugoslavia and Scotland, and Belgium would have their fate decided in a play-off. Yugoslavia twice lead Scotland in the crucial game, but the Scots wouldn't stop pestering the Balkan side, equalizing once, then twice. Scotland 2, Yugoslavia 2 - Belgium were in the quarter-finals against the odds.
Group 3 of the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
England started by dropping a lead to draw 3-3 with Paraguay. However, this mishap was largely overshadowed by host Switzerland's 2-1 triumph against Italy. The Azzurri appeared to find their footing on matchday two, beating Paraguay 3-1. Conversely, Switzerland lost 2-0 to The Three Lions. The group was completely open ahead of the last matches. Every team stood a chance. Paraguay appeared to capitalize perfectly on the opportunity by accumulating a 4-1 lead over the Swiss after an hour, but the Paraguayans suffered the same fate they had inflicted upon England. Switzerland scored three goals to draw the game 4-4, which was enough - at least for a play-off - as the Italians failed to beat the English. Switzerland emphatically proved their first win was no fluke, breezing past Italy 4-1. Paraguay bizarrely finished last despite scoring the most goals in the group.
Group 4 of the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
When analyzing the final group stage results, an English sports journalist famously wrote that "the biggest upset was Switzerland defeating Italy twice; the second-biggest was Hungary only beating Wales by three goals to one - and Wales are not bad".
Here are the quarter-finals [1]. Let me know your predictions:
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[1] In OTL, the quarter-finals were randomly drawn WITHOUT SEEDING, maybe because the group stage didn't have a full round-robin. Nevertheless, stupid in my opinion, since it made it possible for group winners to be drawn against other group winners, which is unfair. I took matters into my own hands and used TTL's team selection. Notably, OTL's draw process could also yield these quarter-final matchups, so it's a moot point. Similarly, as the semi-finals were also randomly drawn in OTL, you would not be able to see the bracket past the quarter-finals if you visited Wikipedia in 1954. But the semi-final draw could yield these exact paths, so again, a moot point.
Plus, Hungary would probably have Kubala in addition to all of those, that is, if he didn't end up playing for Slovakia instead.
Anyway:
Brazil x Spain: Brazil. Besides most of the 1950 players being out of the team by then, Spain was such a mess that year that just getting to the quarterfinals is heroic enough. i don't think they'll be pulling any more rabbits out their hats, even if our nervousness that year could make things harder.
Uruguay x Switzerland: Uruguay.
Hungary x Sweden: Hungary.
England x Belgium: England.
Now a possible semifinals between Brazil and Uruguay... you mix a team seemingly in the perpetual verge of a nerve attack, under constant pressure to avenge 1950, with the same team that defeated them then, and who's not known to be soft in the field, that's a Battle of Basel instead of a Battle of Bern right there. and we're most likely losing that one too.
Anyway:
Brazil x Spain: Brazil. Besides most of the 1950 players being out of the team by then, Spain was such a mess that year that just getting to the quarterfinals is heroic enough. i don't think they'll be pulling any more rabbits out their hats, even if our nervousness that year could make things harder.
Uruguay x Switzerland: Uruguay.
Hungary x Sweden: Hungary.
England x Belgium: England.
Now a possible semifinals between Brazil and Uruguay... you mix a team seemingly in the perpetual verge of a nerve attack, under constant pressure to avenge 1950, with the same team that defeated them then, and who's not known to be soft in the field, that's a Battle of Basel instead of a Battle of Bern right there. and we're most likely losing that one too.
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1954 FIFA World Cup - Knockout Stage
Part 12 - Pressing in Disguise
1954 FIFA World Cup - Knockout Stage
1954 FIFA World Cup - Knockout Stage
Belgium, the big surprise of the tournament up to this point, kept living up to that epithet by obtaining an early lead in the quarter-final against England. The Three Lions showed zero hints of surrendering, equalizing and making it 2-1 before the first half was concluded. A third goal was added shortly past the hour mark, while the Belgians found the consolation but no equalizer [1].
Hosts Switzerland had defeated Italy - twice - and were hoping for another giant-killing against Uruguay. But the reigning world champions gained an expected early lead, while the Swiss got on the scoresheet in the 16th minute. The Uruguayans still found themselves leading 2-1 at the break, thanks to a well-placed finish five minutes before the end. They added a third almost immediately after the second-half kick-off, seemingly sealing the deal. Switzerland offered a real fight in front of their home fans, though, finding a second consolation goal after exactly an hour. This merely prompted Uruguay to apply a more decisive hold of the game, inevitably scoring a fourth goal to secure the victory.
Hungary had emerged as the big favourite to lift the trophy after their sublime group stage display - and consistently solid performances at previous World Cups - yet they somehow still had an additional gear to enter. The Mighty Magyars opened the scoring before 20 minutes were reached and added a second from the penalty spot less than five minutes later. Then a third. And a fourth. With 15 minutes still left of the first half. It was arguably a blessing in disguise that Sweden fell so far behind so early, because it gave them time to get on the scoresheet from the penalty spot and find a second consolation goal before the English referee whistled to signal the end of play, for now. The second half was marginally more hesitant than the first until the Hungarians made it 5-2 in the 65th minute, only for the Swedes to score a third goal less than a minute after. But Hungary made it 6-3 then 7-3 in this historic win.
Not all quarter-finals were blistering. Brazil narrowly beat Spain thanks to a single goal in a match that failed to live up to expectations. Nevertheless, Brazil were in the semi-finals where a highly charged meeting with Uruguay awaited. It would become known as the 'Battle of Basel' [2]. Tension could be felt long before the match began. The 1950 trauma of Uruguay defeating Brazil in their own backyard to win the World Cup was still fresh in everyone's head. Five minutes into the game, the ball found the back of Brazil's net from a Uruguayan player's head. A Brazilian player headed towards the goal not long thereafter, only to be unlawfully stopped by a Uruguayan defender. The penalty was safely converted. Uruguay didn't allow themselves to be deterred and restored their lead in the 29th minute. That scoreline lasted for the remainder of the half, which saw heavy verbal fights break out before the teams finally entered their dressing rooms. Not far off from becoming physical. Both teams came out to kill in the second half and both sides were reduced to 10 men by the time Brazil equalized in the 59th minute. The Italian referee barely managed to control the game, but he could hardly be blamed. The true carnage arose in the 72nd minute when it was Uruguay's turn to be awarded. After five minutes of fighting, and two more red cards, it was finally converted. Brazil 2, Uruguay 3. The referee's relief upon blowing the final whistle quickly turned to dread as even more fighting broke out [3].
However, meanwhile in Lausanne, fans were blessed with a true footballing spectacle. Hungary took the lead in the very first minute, while England levelled the scoring 12 minutes later. But this momentary period of apparent deadlock was just an illusion, as the Mighty Magyars scored three more goals in rapid succession before the 30-minute mark. Hungary's pressing and offensive football was truly astounding. Nevertheless, England's consolation goal scored on the stroke of half-time at least kept comeback hopes alive, though not for long. The Hungarians found two additional goals early in the second half and ran out 6-2 victors against the inventors of the game.
The Three Lions also failed to find success in the third place play-off, falling behind early on and equalizing 14 minutes later only for the Brazilians to go in front again in the 36th minute. Brazil scored yet again early in the second half to secure their bronze, as all England could muster was a consolation goal.
It was the perfect final. The best South Americans against the best Europeans. If that wasn't enough, a thrilling rivalry had arisen between Uruguay and Hungary, following a couple of blistering battles throughout recent World Cups. Uruguay's 3-2 win in the 1942 quarter-final, and their crucial 4-2 extra time triumph at the final four of the 1950 tournament. Now the two had to face off at football's greatest stage - a World Cup final. As always throughout this summer, Hungary started off emphatically by acquiring a two-goal lead within the 10 first minutes. But two-time champions Uruguay had never lost a final and quickly found a consolation goal. Previously, Hungary has been used to blasting away with more goals, but not now. The game stagnated to an extent. The Hungarians became nervous, despite maintaining their 2-1 lead at half-time. They even managed to protect it well into the second one, but Uruguay made it 2-2 in the 76th minute. The open game closed itself. Extra time was inevitable. Fortunately for the Mighty Magyars, their coach must have talked some sense into them, highlighted by their two subsequent goals. Having reached at least the semi-finals in three of their total five previous World Cups - reaching the quarter-finals in the other two - Hungary were finally world champions.
Knockout stage of the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
Infobox created by jycee.
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[1] In OTL, England and Belgium drew with each other 4-4 after extra time in the group stage.
[2] Credit to @Mildtryth for seeing the 'Battle of Basel' coming, and @Citycat for nailing the final!
[3] Wonder if we'd see the relationship between Brazil and Uruguay sour to the point of them refusing to play each other for a few years? Akin to Argentina and Brazil in OTL, following the 1946 brawl.
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Chile perhaps hosts earlier than expected? 1962 could go to Sweden then. This TL could see No England 66' though because of the host rotations...
Does England 70' sound good to anyone? 🤔
Actually, would give England a good chance on home soil for 1970 considering how the team was considered than the 1966 team...then again there is that Brazil team then.
Then again, that Scotland team of the late 60s was by far one of the best national teams never to qualify for a major tournament so would be nice to see them qualify here.
Also, does Irish football have a rugby moment in which they end up sharing a same team yet still political separate countries? Could be possible if somehow the troubles are avoided?
I don't think that'll happen - Northern Ireland and Ireland already had two separate teams for years - the difference is that until 1950, they played as "Ireland" and the "Irish Free State" respectively.
Mexico was interested in hosting in 58 as well.
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Bro what you have against Brazil 😭
I'd love to see it! I'm very interested in alternate hosts. You could also explore the bids a bit more, it's fun to think of possibilities!
Nothing. Uruguay beat Brazil in OTL's 1950 final, and it would've been a toss-up in 1954, though I leaned slightly in favour of Uruguay since they were marginally better at OTL's tournament. For what it's worth, Brazil would've almost certainly lost the final against Hungary even if they beat Uruguay in TTL regardless, so it doesn't really matter.
They'd have the stadium capacity for a 16-team tournament, but are unlikely to be awarded hosting rights without expert lobbying due to other bids being more competitive. Not to mention they've never launched a bid for the World Cup in OTL.
So my short answer is no, even though a World Cup final at Hampden Park would be incredible.
I would also be interested to see, say, Mexico or Chile host it in 1958, and Sweden or England doing so in 1962.
Unfortunately, I don't see England bidding for the World Cup as soon as in 1950, nor anything that 'butterflies' away Sweden's diligent lobbying for the 1958 World Cup as in OTL.
I get the feeling that 54 just wasn't going to be our year, and for what it's worth, we did get farther than OTL.
The Irish football union split in the 1920's due to long running issues since the IFA was formed in the 1890s, the IFA based in Belfast was perceived as biased towards Ulster teams (where the majority of teams were at the time) and from that NI teams after Partition. Irish Rugby along with most of the other sporting codes didn't have the same issue and didn't split. The only thing the Troubles affected really was that Derry city after years of issues with the Security Forces left the IFA and managed to get approval from UEFA to join the FAI where they have remained since.