*China breezed through Asia's World Cup qualifying tournament to reach their first-ever finals in a convincing and impressive manner.

　　Players such as Sun Jihai, Li Tie and Qu Bo all impressed during qualifying and are the most tangible signs that the Chinese FA's development programme and the professional league are bearing fruit

　　The only question that remained was over the mental strength of asgroupsof players who had consistently under-performed, a fact not lost on Milutinovic as he sought to qualify the team for the finals.

　　Significant past players:

　　Li Fusheng, Da Yu Zhao

　　Achievements:

　　-- Runners-up Asian Cup 1984-- Olympic Games Participants Seoul 1988

　　*Japan's success has been built on the team that Troussier took to the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999, combined with several more experienced players, such as Parma's Hidetoshi Nakata, the most recognisable and successful of the country's European exports.

　　Others are coming through too, though, with Junichi Inamoto proving inspirational in front of the defence during Japan's successful run, his form earning him a move to English Premier League side Arsenal.

　　Significant players of the past:

　　Kunishige Kamamoto, Kazuyoshi Miura

　　Achievements:

　　-- Asian Cup winners: 2000, 1992-- FIFA Confederations' Cup runners-up: 2001-- FIFA World Youth Championship runners-up: 1999-- Olympic Games: bronze medal 1968-- FIFA World Cup final appearance: 1998

　　*Korea Republic's record at the FIFA World Cup? is something of a mixture. While, with their five appearances at the finals (2002 will be their sixth, and an Asian record fifth in a row) they far outrank all other continental rivals, the Koreans have yet to make the move up to global level.

　　Significant past players:

　　Cha Bum-kun, Huh Jung-moo

　　Achievements:

　　-- Champion 1956, 1960 Asian Cup-- 2nd 1972, 1980, 1988 Asian Cup-- FIFA World Cup? final appearances: 1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998

　　*Saudi Arabia's success is all the more remarkable given the nation's revolving door policy regarding coaches. Since Eduardo Vingada guided the Saudis to the Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates in 1996, there have been no fewer than eight changes of head coach, with Otto Pfister and Nasser Al Johar both holding the position twice.

　　Expectations are sure to be high again, especially with the return of Asian Player of the Year Nawaf Al Temyat to the side, who missed qualifying due to a serious knee injury.

　　Significant past players:

　　Al Owairan Saeed, Majed Abdullah, Youssef Al Thuniyan

　　Achievements:

　　-- Champion Asian Cup 1984, 1988, 1996-- Runner-up Asian Cup 1992, 2000-- Winner FIFA World Youth (U17) Championship 1989

　　*Cameroon's Indomitable Lions will be competing in the FIFA World Cup? for the fifth time, a record for the African continent.Many of current crop of Indomitable Lions have already tasted international success with the triumph of Cameroon's under-23 side at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Key players from that unexpected triumph, including current African Footballer of the Year Patrick Mboma, his strike partner Samuel Eto' o and the exciting winger Lauren Etame Mayer, will return to the world stage in Japan and Korea.

　　Significant past players:

　　Fran?ois Omam-Biyik, Roger Milla, Jean-Manga Onguene, Theophile Abega, Thomas N'Kono

　　Achievements:

　　-- Quarter-final 1990 FIFA World Cup-- Champion 1984, 1988, 2000 African Cup of Nations -- Champion Olympic Games 2000-- Champion All Africa Games 1999-- Champion African under-20 1995

　　*Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and can boast more than 200 professional footballers scattered around the world.The Super Eagles have long been regarded as Africa's best hope for FIFA World Cup success and on both their previous appearances in the final phase, they have made it past the first round only then to have their hopes thwarted. Their ambitions will be set higher this time.

　　Significant past players:

　　Muda Lawal, Segun Odegbami, Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Daniel Amokachi

　　Achievements:

　　-- FIFA World Cup finals qualification 1994, 1998 -- Champion African Cup of Nations 1980, 1994 -- Qualification 1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000 African Cup of Nations-- Champion Olympic Games 1996 -- Champion All Africa Games 1973 -- Champion FIFA under-17 World Championship 1993 -- Champion FIFA under-16 World Championship 1985 -- Champion African under-20 Championship 1983 1985, 1987, 1989 -- Champion African under-17 Championship 2001

　　*Senegal are the surprise package from Africa for the 2002 FIFA World Cup? and the only one of the five African representatives who have never been to the finals before. Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup has injected a new feversintosfootball in Senegal, whose previous best footballing achievement was a semi-final berth at the 1990 African Cup of Nations.

　　Significant past players:

　　Yerim Diagne, Louis Gomis, Boubacar Sarr, Souleymane Sane, Jules Bocande

　　Achievements:

　　Qualification 1965, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002 African Cup of Nations Champion 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991 Amilcar Cabral Cup

　　Significant past players:

　　Yerim Diagne, Louis Gomis, Boubacar Sarr, Souleymane Sane, Jules Bocande

　　Achievements:

　　Qualification 1965, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002 African Cup of Nations Champion 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991 Amilcar Cabral Cup

　　*South Africa qualified for the last FIFA World Cup finals in France and were winners of the African Nations Cup finals in 1996, which they hosted.South Africa's economic strength and strong corporate sponsorship interest in soccer means the country's football can afford to compete regularly with some of the leading teams in the world.

　　Famous players:

　　Kaizer Motaung, Patrick Ntsoelengoe, Jomo Sono, Doctor Khumalo, Lucas Radebe

　　Achievements:

　　FIFA World Cup finals qualification 1998African Nations Cup winners 1996African Nations Cup finals qualification 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002

　　*The Tunisians have been the dominant force in African club soccer for the last five years and are now seeking to establish the same reputation at national team level. There was just one hiccup for them during the qualifying campaign when coach Francesco Scoglio left to return to Italian football and had to be replaced by the German Eckhard Krautzen in the middle of the campaign. Krautzen departed after the successful conclusion of the qualifiers.

　　Significant past players:

　　Tarak Dhiab, Mohieddine Habita, Sadok Sassi, Hedi Benrekhissa, Adel Sellimi

　　Achievements:

　　Qualification 1978, 1998 FIFA World Cup finalsQualification 1962, 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 African Cup of Nations finals

　　*Although not recognised as a powerhouse in the CONCACAF confederation, Costa Rica is a proud football nation that has been in pure ecstasy since 5 September 2001.Costa Rica plays a 3-5-2 formation with a flexible midfield, making their opponents go through the middle, while they counter attack on the flanks with blazing speed. Two wing backs overlap constantly, with another two midfielders staying back to fill the gaps.

　　Significant past players:

　　Juan Ulloa, Javier Astua

　　Achievements:

　　-- Champion UNCAF Cup in 1991, 1997 & 1999

　　*Mexico has long been the super-power of the CONCACAF federation. Their visit to Korea and Japan will mark their 13th qualification for a FIFA World Cup? final, with nearest rivals the United States lagging behind on seven. Aguirre's preferred formation is 4-4-2 with a dominant midfield.

　　Significant past players:

　　Antonio Carbajal, Carlos Hermosillo

　　Achievements:

　　-- Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 1993, 1996, 1998-- Winner FIFA Confederations Cup 1999

　　*After their last place finish in the 1998 FIFA World Cup?, the United States needed an infusion of youth. The country turned to Manager Bruce Arena, the most successful coach in the US soccer. Arena has won everything from college to MLS titles and even earned a cap for the USA as a goalkeeper.

　　Significant past players:Ricky Davis, John Harkes, Bart McGhee, Bert Patenaude

　　Achievements:

　　-- Semi-final 1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay-- Champion 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup-- Runner-up 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup-- 3rd 1999 FIFA Confederations' Cup Mexico

　　*Colombia coach Francisco Maturana said of the then runawaysgroupsleaders: "It is hell playing against Argentina." Maturana's assessment is understandable when you consider the players at Bielsa's disposal: Batistuta (Roma, Italy), Crespo (Lazio, Italy), Veron (Manchester United, England), Gonzalez (Valencia, Spain), Samuel (Roma, Italy), Gallardo (Monaco, France), Ayala (Valencia, Spain), Zanetti (Inter Milan, Italy), Ortega (River Plate), and Sorin (Cruzeiro, Brazil).

　　Significant past players:

　　Claudio Caniggia, Oscar Ruggeri, Sergio Goicochea, Diego Maradona, Mario Kempes, Ubaldo Fillol, Daniel Passarella, Guillermo Stabile

　　Achievements:

　　-- FIFA World Cup? winners 1978, 1986, runners-up 1930, 1990-- Copa America winners 1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993-- Olympic silver medallists 1926, 1996-- FIFA World Youth Championship winners 1979, 1995, 1997, 2001

　　*At last, Brazil's hallowed name is to grace the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan?. The FIFA World Cup record-breakers, the only team to have played in all previous tournaments and the only one to have lifted the coveted trophy four times, finally made it to the finals.

　　Significant past players:

　　Romario, Bebeto, Dunga, Alemao, Careca, Falcao, Sócrates, Toninho Cerezo, Zico, Rivelino, Leao, Jairzinho, Pelé, Garrincha, Didí, Vava, Zagallo.

　　Achievements:

　　-- FIFA World Cup? winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, runners-up 1950, 1998-- Copa America winners 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999-- Runners-up in the Olympic Football tournament in 1976 and 1988-- Winners of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1983, 1985 and 1993-- Winners of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1997 and 1999

　　*Ecuador is a country of oil, emeralds and bananas. It is also a point of reference for the rest of the world, hence the equator. What it has never been, however, is a land of footballing opportunity. Nn November 7, Ecuador reached the FIFA World Cup? finals for the first time.

　　Significant past players:

　　Alberto Spencer.

　　Achievements:

　　-- Copa America fourth place 1993-- FIFA World Youth Championship 2001, last 16-- 2002 FIFA World Cup? second in South American qualifying group

　　*To reach consecutive FIFA World Cup? finals is no small feat. For a country like Paraguay, whose population numbers less than five million, it is a big deal. Paraguay have achieved this for the first time in their history owes much to Sergio Markarian, the Uruguayan coach who led them to the second phase of the 1998 FIFA World Cup?.

　　Significant past players:

　　Julio Cesar Romero, Saturnino Arrua, Jose Parodi, Cesar Lopez Fretes, Delfin Benitez Caceres, Aurelio Gonzalez.

　　Achievements:

　　-- Copa America winners 1953, 1979, runners-up 1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963-- Olympic qualifying tournament winners 1992

　　*Belgium

　　The squad may see a new striker emerge over in the months leading up to the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan?, as forward Emile Mpenza, also of Schalke, will be out of action for some time with a groin injury. Wesley Sonck will stake a claim for Mpenza's place up front - the 23-year-old Racing Genk striker has been the revelation of the 2001-2002 season but lacks top-flight experience.

　　Significant past players:

　　Enzo Scifo, Michel Preud'homme, Frankie van der Elst, Eric Gerets, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Jan Ceulemans, Paul van Himst, Raoul Lambert

　　Achievements:

　　-- 4th 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- 3rd UEFA European Championship Belgium 1972-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Italy 1980-- Winner Olympic Games 1920

　　＊Croatia

　　Now it seems the squad has regained their footing after qualifying for their second consecutive FIFA World Cup finals in their short existence as an independent national squad. Although no Croatian player would dare to hope for another bronze medal finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, the team is a confident mix of young and experienced.

　　Significant past players:

　　Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilic, Drazan Jerkovic (former Yugoslavia), Josip Skoblar (former Yugoslavia).

　　Achievements:

　　-- 3rd, 1998 FIFA World Cup France

　　*Denmark qualified for the FIFA World Cup? finals for the third time when they thrashed Iceland 6-0 in their final 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan qualifier.

　　Significant past players:

　　Brian Laudrup, Peter Schmeichel, Michael Laudrup, Preben Elkjaer, Morten Olsen.

　　Achievements:

　　-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup France?-- 4th UEFA European Championship Spain 1964-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship France 1984-- Champion UEFA European Championship Sweden 1992-- Runner-up Olympic Games 1908, 1912, 1960

　　*With their coach and many of their supporters believing that the current team has only yet shown glimpses of the kind of football they are capable of playing, England has the potential to erase any lingering doubts at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

　　Significant past players:

　　Gary Lineker, Peter Shilton, Kevin Keegan, Gordon Banks, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright

　　Achievements:

　　-- Quarter-final 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland-- Quarter-final 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile-- Champion 1966 FIFA World Cup England-- 4th 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy-- 3rd UEFA European Championship Italy 1968-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship England 1996

　　*If France can recapture the defensive solidity that won them the 1998 FIFA World Cup France? and can break forward with the devastating fluidity that saw them lift the UEFA European Championship 2000 crown, then they will be a difficult side to beat come June in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

　　Significant past players:

　　Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, Michel Platini, Just Fontaine, Raymond Kopa

　　Achievements:

　　-- 3rd 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden-- 4th 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain-- 3rd 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- Champion 1998 FIFA World Cup France-- 4th UEFA European Championship France 1960-- Champion UEFA European Championship France 1984-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship England 1996-- Champion UEFA European Championship Holland/Belgium 2000-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1984-- Champion FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001

　　*Germany's national football team is second only to Brazil in terms of historical achievement. The Mannschaft has, however been in a state of decline for the past decade, and the team is now desperately looking for the spark that will bring them back among the world's elite.

　　Significant past players:

　　Lothar Matth?us, Jürgen Klinsmann, Karl Heinz Rummenigge, Horst Hrubesch, Sepp Maier, Berti Vogts, Ulrich Stielike, Paul Breitner, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Fritz Walter.

　　Achievements:

　　-- Winner 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland-- Winner 1974 FIFA World Cup West Germany-- Winner 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy-- Runner-up 1966 FIFA World Cup England-- Runner-up 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain-- Runner-up 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- 3rd 1934 FIFA World Cup Italy-- 3rd 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- 4th 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden-- Quarter-final 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile-- Quarter-final 1994 FIFA World Cup USA-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup France-- Winner UEFA European Championship Belgium 1972-- Winner UEFA European Championship Italy 1980-- Winner UEFA European Championship England 1996-- Runner-up UEFA European Championship Yugoslavia 1976-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship West Germany 1988-- Runner-up UEFA European Championship Sweden 1992

　　*Since Big Jack's retirement in 1995, his former protégéMick McCarthy initially struggled to return the nation to former glories before qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan,swheresthe Irish emerged from the "group of death" that included The Netherlands and Portugal.

　　Significant past players:

　　Paul McGrath, Liam Brady, Johnny Giles

　　Achievements:

　　-- Quarter-final 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy

　　*Despite less-than-convincing performances in qualifying, confidence is high in Italy that the Azzurri will be strong contenders for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan? and follow-up on their second-place finish in the UEFA European Championship 2000.

　　Significant past players:

　　Roberto Baggio, Franco Baresi, Marco Tardelli, Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli, Dino Zoff, Luigi Riva, Gianni Rivera, Sandro Mazzola, Giacinto Facchetti, Giuseppe Meazza

　　Achievements:

　　-- Champion 1934 FIFA World Cup Italy-- Champion 1938 FIFA World Cup France-- 2nd 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- 4th 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina-- Champion 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain-- 3rd 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy-- 2nd 1994 FIFA World Cup USA-- Quarter-final 1998 FIFA World Cup France-- Champion UEFA European Championship Italy 1968-- 4th UEFA European Championship Italy 1980-- 3rd UEFA European Championship France 1984-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Belgium - The Netherlands 2000-- Champion Olympic Football Tournament 1936

　　*It's easy to forget that Poland were once one of the best national sides in the world, beating Brazil to take third place in the 1974 FIFA World Cup? Germany, finishing ahead of defending champions West Germany in 1978 and again finishing third in 1982 after defeating France.

　　In Korea and Japan, the Polish national team will play in a FIFA World Cup finals for the first time since 1986.

　　Significant past players:

　　Grzegorz Lato, Kazimierz Deyna, Wlodzimierz Lubanski, Jan Tomaszewski

　　Achievements:

　　-- 3rd 1974 FIFA World Cup West Germany-- 3rd 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain-- Champion Olympic Games 1972-- 2nd Olympic Games 1976-- 2nd Olympic Games 1992

　　*With Figo, whom many consider to be the best player in the world, leading the way, the Portuguese may be on their way to overcoming their tag of purveyors of beautiful football without ever getting results. As coach Antonio Oliveira said when he accepted the position, "We have to be the first, instead of being the best."

　　Significant past players:

　　Fernando Gomes, Paulo Futre, Jordao, Eusebio

　　Achievements:

　　-- 3rd 1966 FIFA World Cup? England-- 3rd UEFA European Championship France 1984-- 3rd UEFA European Championship Belgium - The Netherlands 2000

　　*Russia coach Oleg Romantsev has crafted a squad that spreads around the goal-scoring opportunities, with midfielders and forwards alternating on the score-sheet. Among them are Dmitri Khoklov and Alexandre Mostovoi, but the current star of the Russian squad is striker Vladimir Beschastnykh, who cemented his place in the side with a three-goal effort against Switzerland that saw the Russians through to the FIFA World Cup finals.

　　Significant past players (as Soviet Union):

　　Igor Belanov, Oleg Salenko, Oleg Blokhin, Lev Yashin

　　Achievements (as Soviet Union):

　　-- Quarter-final 1958 FIFA World Cup? Sweden-- Quarter-final 1962 FIFA World Cup Chile-- 4th 1966 FIFA World Cup England-- Quarter-final 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- Champion UEFA European Championship France 1960-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Spain 1964-- 4th UEFA European Championship Italy 1968-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Belgium 1972-- 2nd UEFA European Championship West Germany 1988-- Champion Olympic Games 1956-- Champion Olympic Games 1988　

　　*The nation's chances in the upper echelon of world football rest largely on the fitness and temperament of playmaker Zlatko Zahovic. Slovenia's much-admired number 10 is injury-prone and has a questionable attitude, a spat with Katanec leading to his benching for a friendly after EURO 2000.

　　Significant past players:

　　Screcko Katanec

　　Achievements:

　　- First round UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000

　　*Two things will favour Spain's quest for glory at the 2002 World Cup Korea/Japan: new coach Jose Camacho and Spain's status asshavingswhat is arguably Europe's top domestic league. Since taking over from Javier Clemente in 1998, the former Real Madrid defender has given the team a breath of fresh air. His attacking style has suited the Spanish players, who seemed uncomfortable with their former coach's obsession with filling the midfield with defenders instead of creativity.

　　Significant past players:

　　Andoni Zubizarreta, Emilio Butrague?o, Estanislao Basora

　　Achievements:

　　-- 4th place 1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil-- Quarter-final 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico-- Quarter-final 1994 FIFA World Cup USA-- Champions UEFA European Championship Spain 1964-- Runners-up UEFA European Championship France 1984-- Runners-up Olympic Games 1920-- Champion Olympic Games 1992-- Runners-up Olympic Games 2000

　　*Sweden overcame a disappointing UEFA European Championship in 2000 by qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan? without losing a single game. The team was given a helping hand by drawing asgroupsdevoid of any of Europe's traditional powerhouses, and the players took advantage by winning sailing through the group.

　　Significant past players:

　　Thomas Brolin, Thomas Ravelli, Gunnar Gren, Nils Liedholm, Lennart Skoglund

　　Achievements:

　　-- 4th 1938 FIFA World Cup? France?-- Finalsgroups1950 World Cup Brazil?-- 2nd 1958 FIFA World Cup Sweden?-- 3rd 1994 FIFA World Cup USA?-- Semi-final UEFA European Championship Sweden 1992-- Champion Olympic Games 1948

　　*After reaching their first UEFA European Championship in 1996 and making it to the quarter-final stage of the corresponding tournament in 2000, Turkey now seems set to make a mark on the world stage.

　　Significant past players:

　　Metin Oktay, Can Bartu, Lefter Kucukandonyadis, Turgay Seren

　　Achievements:

　　-- First round playoff 1954 FIFA World Cup? Switzerland-- Quarter-final UEFA European Championship Belgium/The Netherlands 2000

　　Uruguay '30 ---- The Birth of the World Cup

　　The first World Cup was opened at the Centenary Stadium in Montevideo on 18 July 1930. 13 countries participated in the first ever World Cup in Uruguay. There was not a qualification at that time, the hosts invited teams to the cup. Only 4 european teams were invited: France, Belgium, Yugoslavia and Romania. Six south-american neighbours participated in the competition: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru.

　　Italy 1934 ----- the second World Cup.

　　The World Cup of Italy was held under the governement of Mussolini. Italy had to win the cup, they hadn't another chance.France 1938----the third World Cup.

　　That was Jules Rimet's Cup.

　　Like the two past editions great teams didn't went to France because of several reasons.

　　Brazil 1950----World Cup IV

　　The opening match was held on June 24 between Brazil and Mexico. Brazil beat Mexico 4-0, but surprisingly drew with Switzerland 2-2, before beating Yugoslavia 1-0 to advance to the finalsgroupsstage.

　　Switzerland 1954------World Cup V

　　To mark the 50th anniversary of FIFA in 1954, Switzerland (the country in which FIFA has its headquarters) was selected as the host of the World Cup in that year.

　　Sweden 1958---World Cup VI

　　Former champions Italy and Uruguay did not qualify for the 1958 World Cup, while the USSR, Northern Ireland and Wales made it for the first time. The favourites for the tournament were Brazil, who had in their ranks a 17-year-old named Pele.While the Swedes had the backing of nearly 50,000 home fans in the final, the Brazilians were too much for them. Pele and Vava each scored a pair of goals in a 5-2 rout which helped the South Americans to overcome the disappointment of 1950 and finally lift the World Cup.

　　World Cup VII - Chile 1962

　　The Brazilians and Czechs had played to a 0-0 draw in thesgroupsstages but there was to be no stalemate in the final as Josef Masopust gave Czechoslovakia the lead after 16 minutes. However, Pele's replacement, Amarildo, equalized for Brazil two minutes later, and second-half goals by Zito and Vava gave them a second consecutive World Cup crown.

　　World Cup VIII - England 1966

　　Football came home in 1966. Thirty-six years after the start of the world championship of the sport they are credited with creating, England hosted the World Cup for the first time.

　　World Cup IX - Mexico 1970

　　Argentina was considered the favourite to stage the World Cup in 1970 but the South American nation was snubbed yet again as FIFA awarded the tournament to Mexico, hosts of the 1968 Olympics.

　　World Cup X - West Germany 1974

　　The final was held at the Munich Olympic Stadium on July 7 and started sensationally with Holland taking the lead just one minutesintosthe game when Cruyff was brought down in the German penalty area and Johan Neeskens converted the spot kick for the quickest goal in a World Cup final. The Dutch dominated for much of the mathc but Beckenbauer's Germany got backsintosthe game when Paul Breitner equalized with another penalty kick in the 26th minute, and Gerd Muller then struck two minutes before half-time to give the hosts a 2-1 win.

　　World Cup XI - Argentina 1978

　　Argentina was finally granted the rights to host a World Cup in 1978 although the domestic situation in the country under a military junta at that time caused more than a few eyebrows to be raised. The country's ability to successfully host the global event was further questioned when a bomb went off at a press centre in Buenos Aires just a few days before the start of the World Cup.

　　World Cup XII - Spain 1982

　　The 1982 World Cup was staged in Spain with the number of finalists increased from 16 to 24 for the first time with North and Central America given two places, Asia/Oceania two, Africa two, South America four, and Europe 14. World Cup XIII - Mexico 1986

　　Mexico became the first country to host the World Cup twice as they took over as replacement hosts after original hosts Colombia withdrew for financial reasons in 1983. After Colombia's withdrawal, Brazil, the United States, and Mexico contested for the rights to take over the tournament but FIFA selected Mexico on the basis of their facilities and success in hosting the 1968 Olympics and 1970 World Cup.

　　World Cup XIV - Italy 1990

　　Italy, the USSR, Greece, Yugoslavia, England, and West Germany made their bids to host the 1990 World Cup. The final contest came down to Italy and the USSR, but the FIFA Congress held during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics selected Italy as the Soviets had boycotted the Olympics. That made Italy the second country after Mexico to host the World Cup twice.World Cup XV - USA 1994

　　The 1994 World Cup marked the first time that the competition was held in a continent other than Europe or South America. The United States, Brazil, and Morocco bid for the right to host the competition, but FIFA decided on the North Americans insgroupsto promote football in that country,swheresthe sport was virtually unknown to the public.

　　World Cup XVI - France 1998

　　France became the third country to host the World Cup twice, after Mexico and Italy, as their bid was chosen over Morocco.