The FIFA World Cup was originally planned to take place again in 1942, the previous event was four years earlier in France 1938. At the 23rd FIFA Congress on 13 August 1936 in Berlin, Germany officially applied to be host. In June the next year Brazil also applied to host the tournament.

However, no host was selected as all plans for the World Cup were canceled when WWII started, and the tournament did not take place.

There was no tournament in 1946 either. Brazil went on to host the next tournament, which was not until 1950. Germany did not get a chance to host the World Cup until 1974.