Final Standings
Individual Awards
Tournament Overview
The 1994 World Cup came to the United States — a nation with almost no soccer culture at the time — and broke every attendance record in the history of the tournament. Over 3.5 million fans attended matches across nine cities, a record that still stands. Brazil won their fourth World Cup in a final unlike any before it: a goalless draw that became the first final in World Cup history to be decided by penalties. Roberto Baggio, Italy's talismanic star, stepped up last and put his kick over the crossbar, handing Brazil the trophy.
Defining Moments
The Penalty That Changed Everything
Roberto Baggio was Italy's greatest player of his generation — the 'Divine Ponytail.' He had carried Italy to the final almost single-handedly. Then, with the shootout at 3-2 to Brazil, he stepped up needing to score to stay alive. His shot flew high over the bar. He stood alone in the center of the pitch, head bowed, hands on knees. Brazil celebrated. The image became one of the most iconic in sports history.
Oleg Salenko's Five-Goal Record
Russia were eliminated in the group stage, but Oleg Salenko wrote his name into World Cup history by scoring five goals in a single match against Cameroon — a record that has never been broken. He finished as joint top scorer with six goals. No one has ever scored five in a World Cup game since.
Record Attendance on American Soil
The United States hosted a tournament it had barely earned the right to hold, and the Americans showed up in unprecedented numbers. The average attendance of 68,991 per match remains the highest in World Cup history. The Rose Bowl final was watched by 94,194 people in person. The US co-hosting WC26 is in part a tribute to what 1994 proved: Americans would embrace soccer given the chance.
Brazil arrive at WC26 as one of the favorites to win a record-extending sixth title, while the USA co-hosts the tournament on the same soil where the 1994 record crowds were set. Several WC26 venues — including Los Angeles — hosted games at the original US edition.
