What Is 2002 FIFA World Cup schedule

Overview

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th edition of the tournament and the first to be hosted in Asia. Co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, it featured 32 national teams competing across 20 stadiums from May 31 to June 30, 2002.

This World Cup was notable for its global reach and historic upsets, including the elimination of defending champions France in the group stage. Brazil emerged victorious, claiming their fifth title and becoming the most successful nation in World Cup history at the time.

• Opening match: France vs. Senegal on May 31, 2002, at Seoul World Cup Stadium, where Senegal won 1–0 in a major upset.
• Final match: Brazil vs. Germany on June 30, 2002, at Yokohama International Stadium, with Brazil winning 2–0.
• Group stage: Lasted from May 31 to June 14, with eight groups of four teams each playing round-robin matches.
• Knockout stage: Began on June 15 with the Round of 16 and concluded with the final on June 30.
• Host cities: 10 in South Korea and 10 in Japan, including Seoul, Busan, Tokyo, and Osaka.

How It Works

The 2002 FIFA World Cup followed a two-phase structure: a group stage followed by a knockout round. Teams were seeded based on FIFA rankings and drawn into groups to determine match assignments.

• Group Format: 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four; the top two from each group advanced to the knockout stage.
• Match Duration: Each game lasted 90 minutes with two 45-minute halves and up to 30 minutes of extra time if needed in knockout rounds.
• Golden Goal Rule: In effect during knockout matches; the first goal in extra time ended the game immediately.
• Refereeing: 24 referee teams from different countries were selected by FIFA to officiate matches across both nations.
• Ball Type: The official match ball was the Adidas Fevernova, designed specifically for the 2002 tournament.
• Attendance: Over 3.7 million fans attended matches, averaging approximately 58,000 per game.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2002 World Cup differed significantly from previous editions in format, location, and outcomes. The table below highlights key comparisons:

The 2002 tournament stood out for its geographical distribution and surprising performances, such as Turkey finishing third and South Korea reaching the semifinals. These results reshaped perceptions of underdog potential in international football and highlighted the growing competitiveness of Asian teams.

Why It Matters

The 2002 FIFA World Cup had lasting impacts on global football, both in terms of legacy and tournament structure. It demonstrated the feasibility of co-hosting across multiple countries and expanded FIFA's reach into new markets.

• Historic Achievement: Brazil became the first nation to win five World Cup titles, cementing their status as a football powerhouse.
• Asian Representation: South Korea’s semifinal run marked the best performance by an Asian team in World Cup history.
• Global Broadcast: The tournament was televised in over 200 countries, reaching an estimated 1.7 billion viewers.
• Infrastructure Development: Both South Korea and Japan invested heavily in stadiums and transportation systems.
• Commercial Growth: Sponsorship and merchandise sales reached record levels, boosting FIFA’s revenue significantly.
• Legacy Influence: Paved the way for future World Cups in non-traditional locations, including South Africa in 2010.

The 2002 World Cup remains a landmark event in football history, remembered for its dramatic matches, cultural significance, and the rise of new footballing nations on the world stage.