• The 2002 World Cup was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
• It was the first time that two countries had shared the hosting duties for a FIFA World Cup tournament.
• The tournament featured 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.
Background
In 2002, South Korea and Japan became the first nations to share the hosting duties for a FIFA World Cup tournament. This marked a milestone in football history as it was the first time that two countries had come together to host this prestigious event.
Format
The 2002 World Cup featured 32 teams competing in 64 matches over 31 days. The teams were divided into eight groups of four, with each team playing three group stage matches against their opponents. After the group stages, 16 teams advanced to the knockout stages which eventually determined a winner.
Participants
Many of the world’s best players participated in this tournament, including Ronaldo (Brazil), Luis Figo (Portugal), Zinedine Zidane (France), Raul Gonzalez (Spain) and Michael Ballack (Germany). Other notable participants included Rivaldo (Brazil), Ronaldinho (Brazil), Thierry Henry (France) and Alessandro Del Piero (Italy).
Outcome
After several weeks of exciting competition, Brazil emerged victorious after beating Germany 2-0 in the final match at Yokohama Stadium in Japan. The Brazilian squad, led by captain Cafu, lifted the trophy for the fifth time in their history.
Legacy
The 2002 World Cup left an indelible mark on football history as it was one of the most successful tournaments ever held. It helped to promote peace between South Korea and Japan while also providing an opportunity for many of today’s stars to showcase their talents on a global scale.