India, May 23 -- The summer of 1938 saw Europe standing on the verge of collapse. Adolf Hitler's influence was spreading across the continent, leading to political tensions among the major superpowers. War didn't feel distant, and yet amid the uncertainty, football carried on. The 1938 FIFA World Cup arrived in France, offering fans a temporary escape. But the tournament was also deeply tied to the politics of its time, and at the centre of it all was the Italian national football team, who were also the defending champions after winning the 1934 tournament on home soil.

Many questioned the triumph, and critics felt that the tournament was heavily influenced by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who was accused of using football as a pro...