1950 FIFA World Cup qualification
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 36 (from 3 confederations) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 27 |
| Goals scored | 130 (4.81 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) |
 Jack Rowley Horacio Casarín Luis de la Fuente Karl-Erik Palmér Željko Čajkovski(4 goals each) |
A total of 34 teams entered the qualification rounds of the 1950 FIFA World Cup, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. Brazil, as the hosts, and Italy, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.
The remaining 32 teams were divided into 10 groups, based on geographical considerations, as follows:
However, due to the withdrawals of India, Scotland and Turkey after qualifying, only 13 teams actually competed in the final tournament.
A total of 19 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 27 qualifying matches were played, and 130 goals were scored (an average of 4.81 per match).
Listed below are the dates and results of the qualification rounds.
The 10 groups had different rules, as follows:
England qualified. Scotland also qualified, but declined to travel.
Syria withdrew, and remaining match was not played.
Turkey advanced to the Final Round.
Austria withdrew, so Turkey qualified automatically. But Turkey later also withdrew, and FIFA offered the place to Portugal, the runner-up of Group 6, but they declined. FIFA decided not to allow anyone else to qualify, leaving the World Cup two teams short.
Yugoslavia advanced to the Final Round.
France 2–2 Yugoslavia on aggregate, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would qualify.
Yugoslavia qualified while France were also offered a place by FIFA. France initially accepted, but later declined.
Switzerland advanced to the Final Round.
Belgium withdrew, so Switzerland qualified automatically.
Sweden qualified. Finland withdrew before the group was completed. Ireland (FAI) were subsequently invited to enter competition but declined the opportunity because of traveling costs.
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