United States 1994
The 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States marked a significant milestone for football, as it sought to win over a new audience in a country where the sport was not the primary national pastime. The tournament was record-breaking in terms of attendance, with stadiums across the vast American landscape filled with passionate fans, showcasing the sport's potential in the American market. It ended in dramatic fashion, with Brazil claiming their fourth title via the first-ever World Cup final decided by penalties, after a goalless draw with Italy. The missed final penalty by Italy's Roberto Baggio, one of the tournament's standout players, was a poignant moment that encapsulated the tension and high stakes of the event. The USA '94 World Cup is also remembered for the tragic murder of Colombian defender Andrés Escobar, the emergence of new football nations on the world stage, and the vibrant, if at times unconventional, American presentation of the tournament. The success of the event was a catalyst for the establishment of Major League Soccer (MLS) and contributed to the increasing popularity of football in the United States.
Knockout stage
group stage
| Group A | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Romania | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
2  Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
3  United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
4  Colombia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Group C | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
2  Spain | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
3  South Korea | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
4  Bolivia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Group D | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Nigeria | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
2  Bulgaria | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
3  Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
4  Greece | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Group E | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
2  Republic of Ireland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
3  Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
4  Norway | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Group F | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
2  Saudi Arabia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
3  Belgium | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
4  Morocco | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Top scorers
Hristo Stoichkov (6)
Oleg Salenko (6)Jürgen Klinsmann (5)Roberto Baggio (5)
Romário (5)
Kennet Andersson (5)Gabriel Batistuta (4)Florin Răducioiu (4)Martin Dahlin (4)José Luis Caminero (3)