Ranking every World Cup, from worst to best

Japan/South Korea 2002

Rating: 9/10

Champion: Brazil 

The Brazilians won their fifth, and most-recent World Cup, in 2002 after beating Germany 2-0 thanks to two goals from superstar Ronaldo.

Host: South Korea/Japan 

This was the first tournament to be hosted by two nations as well as the first held in Asia.

Best player: Ronaldo (Brazil) 

After failing to dazzle in the 1998 final, Ronaldo left his mark on the tournament. Ronaldo’s goals in the final, his seventh and eighth of the tournament, earned him the competition’s Golden Boot.

Iconic moment:

South Korea’s golden goal against Italy in the second round highlighted the tournament’s unpredictable nature as well as the unbridled joy of a nation. Ahn Jung-Hwan’s header that sailed past Gianluigi Buffon brought Italy to their knees.

Quality of play:

In a tournament highlighted by upsets, with nearly every underdog having their day (co-host South Korea above all), it proved strange that the final would be contested by such traditional powers. Brazil returned to their jogo bonito brand made famous over decades past. Their 3-4-2-1 with Cafu and Roberto Carlos on the flanks made for some high-energy offensive soccer that no opponent could stop. Brazil were one of the first teams to play three in the back at this high a level. Ronaldo, as a lone striker, got help from the pair of Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. This was a tournament that highlighted upsets. Senegal beat holders France, while South Korea, Turkey and the USA’s deep runs appeared to usher in a new world order that never materialized.

Kits:

Brazil’s classic yellow shirts were made a fashion faux-paus with the addition of green accents under the arms and across the shoulders. At the same time, FIFA banned Cameroon from wearing the sleeveless shirts used at the 2002 African Nations Cup earlier in the year after they were deemed to be “vests.” On a positive note, Germany’s white shirts with black trim escaped the eyesore nature of Korea/Japan uniforms.

Miscellaneous:

On the same day as the final, the two lowest-ranked FIFA teams, Montserrat (203rd) and Bhutan (202nd), met in Bhutan. The hosts won 2-0.