UEFA and the AFC viewed co-hosting between the two Asian rivals as the best option. FIFA boss João Havelange had long backed the Japanese bid, but his rival in FIFA, UEFA chief Lennart Johansson, sought to undermine Havelange's plans.
The two Asian rivals went on a massive and expensive PR blitz around the world, prompting Sultan Ahmad Shah, the head of the Asian Football Confederation, to step in. With Mexico regarded as a long shot, the battle to host the tournament came down to Japan and South Korea. FIFA leaders were split on whom to favor as host as politics within the world governing body held sway. South Korea's entry into the race was seen by some as a response to the bid of political and sporting rival Japan. Initially, South Korea, Japan and Mexico presented three rival bids. South Korea and Japan were selected as hosts by FIFA on. Japanese 10,000 yen coin for the 2002 FIFA World Cup The 2002 World Cup was also the last one to use the golden goal rule. In the third place play-off match against South Korea, Turkey won 3–2, taking third place in only their second ever FIFA World Cup, and scored the fastest goal in the FIFA World Cup history (10.8 seconds after kick-off). The victory qualified Brazil for the 2003 and subsequently 2005 FIFA Confederations Cups, its fourth and fifth Confederations Cup appearance in a row. However, the most potent team at the tournament, Brazil, prevailed, winning the final against Germany 2–0, making them the first and only country to have won the World Cup five times. South Korea controversially managed to reach the semi-finals, beating Portugal, Italy and Spain en route, thus becoming the first and only team from outside Europe and the Americas to reach the last four of a World Cup. The tournament had several upsets and surprise results, which included the defending champions France being eliminated in the group stage after earning a single point and second favourites Argentina also being eliminated in the group stage. China, Ecuador, Senegal, and Slovenia made their World Cup debuts. It was held from 31 May to 30 June 2002 at sites in South Korea and Japan, with its final match hosted by Japan at International Stadium in Yokohama.Ī field of 32 teams qualified for this World Cup, which was the first to be held in Asia, the first to be held outside of the Americas or Europe, as well as the first to be jointly-hosted by more than one nation. The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's national football teams organized by FIFA.