Which two countries co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup?

South Korea and Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The tournament was the first World Cup staged jointly by two countries and the first held in Asia. FIFA selected the two nations as hosts on 31 May 1996 after they had initially competed with rival bids.

The tournament ran from 31 May to 30 June 2002, using 20 stadiums across both countries. South Korea hosted the opening match and reached the semifinals, while Japan hosted the final at International Stadium in Yokohama. Brazil defeated Germany 2–0 in that final, with Ronaldo scoring both goals.

The event is sometimes called “Korea-Japan 2002,” reflecting the official co-hosting arrangement. It is also easy to confuse the hosts with the champion: Brazil won the competition, but neither Brazil nor Argentina hosted it. The tournament featured 32 teams and was the first World Cup held outside Europe or the Americas.