The 1958 FIFA World Cup will always be remembered as the World Cup of Brazil. The World Cup of Garrincha’s dribbles and Pelé’s tears. The first time Brazil established its status as the greatest footballing country in the world.

That’s not to say Brazil hadn’t played a prominent role in the previous World Cups. They could have won it twice before. They were by far the best in 1950, only to fall down, miraculously, at the hands of Uruguay in Rio’s own Maracana. In 1938, their decision to rest topscorer Leonidas proved fatal when they were knocked out by Italy in the semi-final.

But now all circumstances seemed right. The unbeatable Hungary had fallen apart after most of its stars had fled to Western European countries. There were other contenders, though: the France of Just Fontaine and Raymond Kopa. Reigning champions West-Germany with star-player Helmut Rahn. Home nation Sweden with Nils Liedholm and Kurt Hamrin. And Argentina, after years of splendid isolation, returned to the arena as well. But above all there was the enigmatic Soviet-Union, with its feared ‘scientific’ football.

But Brazil traveled to Sweden better prepared, both physically and mentally, than any other team. There was one potential problem. Pelé and Garrincha were deemed too young and too irresponsible, respectively, and were left out of the initial starting team.

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Group 1
West-Germany
Northern Ireland
Czechoslovakia
Argentina

Group 2
France
Yugoslavia
Paraguay
Scotland

Group 3
Sweden
Hungary
Wales
Mexico

Group 4
Brazil
Soviet-Union
England
Austria

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