2002 FIFA World Cup – Japan / South Korea

2002 FIFA World Cup – Japan/South Korea

The 2002 FIFA World Cup initially received bids for hosting from Japan, South Korea and Mexico. With Mexico being a long shot, the fight between the Asians ended in a agreement to host it together. It was the first time the tournament would be hosted outside Europe and the Americas, and also for the first time it would be hosted by two countries.

For the second and last time there would be a Golden Goal during extra time. Three games ended after a Golden Goal being scored: two during the round of sixteen (Senegal 2-1 Sweden and South Korea 2-1 Italy) and one during the quarter finals (Turkey 1-0 Senegal).

A record of 199 teams entered the tournament qualification. The 32 places would be allocated as follow: 2 for the hosts, 1 for defending champions, 13 to UEFA (including Israel), 4 to CONMEBOL, 2 to AFC, 3 to CONCACAF and 5 to CAF. One of the last 2 places would be contested by the 5th from CONMEBOL vs. and the winner of OFC. The other would be contested by the 3rd from AFC vs. the 14th from UEFA.

Brazil reached the final again, for the third time in a row, to face Germany. Even though Brazil and Germany were the teams with the most appearances in the World Cup, most appearances in the finals, and most titles (Brazil 4, Germany 3 along with Italy), it would be the first time in the World Cup history that they would face each other. Brazil had Ronaldo, who was being brilliant since the group stage. After a scoreless first half, Ronaldo scored twice in the second half and Brazil won its fifth title.

It was the first time since 1986 that a team would reach the title without the need of a penalty shoot-out after a tied game. It was also the first time since 1970 that the champion won every match, from the stage group to the final. The top scorer was Ronaldo, who scored 8 of the 18 goals Brazil scored during the tournament. The last time a player scored more than 7 goals and a team scored more than 16 goals in the tournament was in 1970.

List of qualified teams: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Uruguay.

Champions: Brazil
2nd place: Germany
3rd place: Turkey

Top scorer player: Ronaldo, Brazil – 8 goals
Top scorer team: Brazil, 18 goals

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