Spain missed 1938 World Cup as Civil War reshaped its football | OneFootball

Spain did not attend the 1938 World Cup, the Civil War kept the side at home. Italy's tournament was politicised, Austria qualified then withdrew after the Anschluss, Sweden progressed by walkover and some Austrians joined Germany.

El Periódico Mediterráneo notes that competition ran until 18 July, the last Republican trophy was the Copa de la España Libre, Levante beat Valencia 1-0 at Sarrià. Agustín Dolz set up Nieto to beat Antolí. Las Cortes recognised the title, the federation still has not, and a fight saw Juan Ramón and Martínez dismissed.

Club control split along the front, military leaders in the Nationalist zone, unions in the Republican. Madrid, minus the Real, was led by Antonio Ortega Gutiérrez, a Carabineros colonel who staged events to sustain the club, he was later executed at the castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante. Real Madrid have never listed him as president.

Valencia was run by employees including Carlos Iturraspe. President José Rodríguez Tortajada was jailed after the war and later recognised by the club. José Ballester Gozalvo left for Paris, and Levante have repatriated his remains.

Before the coup, Spain beat France in January 1935, then drew 3-3 with Portugal in May, Lángara scored twice and Gorostiza once. Austria won 5-4 in Madrid in January 1936, with doubles from Lángara and Luis Regueiro.

The Nationalist authorities staged two games with Portugal, losing 2-1 in Vigo on 27 November 1937, Pinga and Valadas scoring, Gallart for Spain, then 1-0 in Lisbon on 30 January 1938. Youth groups charged the atmosphere with chants for Salazar and Franco. Spain returned in 1941 with a 2-2 draw in Lisbon, Campanal and Escolá scoring. The war exiled a generation of outstanding players.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo