Therefore, France, as the hosts, and Italy, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.

However, Egypt withdrew from the competition after Egyptian officials objected to playing on this date since it was in the holy month of Ramadan.

Therefore, Romania qualified after Egypt invited Austrian club side First Vienna to play the friendly match against the national team.

FIFA offered the place to England (winner of the 1937–38 British Home Championship), who had opted not to enter the competition, but they declined the offer; FIFA decided not to allow anyone else to qualify, leaving the World Cup one team short.

Costa Rica, Dutch Guiana, El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia and the United States all withdrew, so Cuba qualified automatically for the second round.