(FILES) German national soccer team players execute the nazi salute, on June 4, 1938 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, before the start of their World Cup match against Switzerland. (From L : Hans Mock, Rudi Raftl, Willi Schmaus, Jupp Gauchel, Rudi Gellesh, Ernst Lehner, Paul Janes, Willi Hahnemann, Anderl Kupfer, Hans Pesser, Albin Kitzinger). France hosted the 1938 World Cup against a backdrop of pre-war tensions in Europe. Austria, which had a strong national team, did not attend the tournament despite having qualified, as Adolf Hitler's expansionist ambitions began with them. Spain did not attend either; it was ravaged by a civil war (19361939). (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)