Eklind officiated the 1934 FIFA World Cup semi-final Italy–Austria (1–0), as well as the final which Italy won 2–1 over Czechoslovakia. Afterwards he was heavily criticised for having favoured the Italian team with his decisions. According to John Molinaro, Referee Ivan Eklind was said to have met with the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini prior to officiating Italy's semifinal and final games.