Ranking every World Cup, from worst to best

USA 1994

Rating: 8/10

Champion: Brazil 

Brazil won their fourth World Cup, overcoming Italy in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of play. It was the first final to ever finish without a goal to be decided on penalties.

Host: United States  

The United States was chosen as host on July 4, 1988. Despite the country’s lack of a national pro league, the tournament was the most-financially successful in the tournament’s history. USA ’94 broke the average attendance record with nearly 69,000 spectators per game, which stands to this day. The total attendance of nearly 3.6 million remains the highest in World Cup history. The tournament also spurred the creation of MLS and the popularity the game enjoys today.

Best player: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) 

The Bulgarian striker led his team to a shock fourth-place finish. His six goals, tied with Russia’s Oleg Salenko, were good enough to make him tournament top scorer. The Bulgarians had never won a game in five previous World Cup finals. At USA ’94, a Stoichkov goal helped Bulgaria defeat Germany 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

Iconic moment:

Brazil won the title, but Roberto Baggio’s missed penalty kick — drilling his kick high over the crossbar — followed by Franco Baresi’s post-game tears encapsulate the agony of defeat for the Italians.

Quality of play:

Playing a 4-4-2, Brazil won the tournament with less flair than previous World Cup-winning sides. Led by strikers Romario and Bebeto, manager Carlos Alberto Parreira leaned on captain Dunga and hard-nosed players like Leonardo, Branco and Aldair to control the back and midfield to ensure that their tight defense kept opponents at bay. The Italians abandoned their traditional defensive catenaccio style for a zonal-marking approach as employed by former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi. He came under much pressure from fans and pundits alike, but was able to reach the final after a series of Baggio heroics in the knockout stage.

Kits: 

The baggy style of clothes of the early ’90s made their way to the soccer field. While Brazil and Italy played in their traditional colors, patterns interwoven into the fabric gave each a flair. The ugliest, by far, was the USA’s jersey. The shirt featured a series of white stars across the chest on a denim blue background.

Miscellaneous:

Greece, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria made their first ever appearance at a World Cup. England and France failed to qualify. Colombia’s Andres Escobar, after scoring an own goal in a 2-1 loss to the United States, was gunned down after his team returned home upon failing to reach the knockout stage.