1994 FIFA World Cup – United States

1994 FIFA World Cup – United States

Despite of the lack of popularity of the sport in the host nation, the United States were chosen to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup against bids from Brazil and Morocco. It was the most financially successful tournament since FIFA started it in 1930. It broke records with an overall attendance of more than 3 million people, averaging almost 70 thousand per game.

A record of 147 teams entered the tournament qualification. Before it started 15 teams withdrew, 2 were excluded due to UN sanctions. Chile was excluded due to the cheating incident during the 1990 qualification, when Chile was playing against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.

The 24 places would be allocated as follow: 2 for the hosts and defending champions, 12 to UEFA (including Israel), 3 to CONMEBOL, 2 to AFC, 1 to CONCACAF and 3 to CAF. The last place would be contested by the 2nd from CONCACAF qualification, the 4th from CONMEBOL and the winner from OFC.

The final was played by Italy and Brazil at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, repeating the final from 1970. It was a goalless tense match becoming the first final to be decided by a penalty shoot-out. At the penalty shoot-out, after 4 rounds, Brazil leaded 3-2. Baggio had to score to keep Italy’s chances alive. He missed by shooting it over the crossbar and Brazil was crowned champions for the fourth time, becoming the first team with 4 titles.

List of qualified teams: Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States.

Champions: Brazil
2nd place: Italy
3rd place: Sweden

Top scorer player: Histro Stoichkov (Bulgaria) and Oleg Salenko (Russia) – 6 goals
Top scorer team: Sweden – 15 goals

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