The national team was inactive from 1942 to 1950, resuming as West Germany once the ban was lifted. Herberger led the team through qualification for the 1954 World Cup, which they won in surprise fashion, beating Hungary in the final. The win is credited with playing a large part in the nation's psychological and economic recovery after World War II. West Germany managed creditable results at the 1958 and 1962 World Cups, before Herberger retired in 1964, 28 years after first taking the job. He was succeeded by his assistant, Helmut Schön.