<P> The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's national football teams organized by FIFA . It was held from 31 May to 30 June 2002 at sites in South Korea and Japan, with its final match hosted by Japan at International Stadium in Yokohama . </P> <P> A field of 32 teams qualified for this World Cup, which was the first to be held in Asia, the first to be held outside of the Americas or Europe, as well as the first to be jointly - hosted by more than one nation . China, Ecuador, Senegal and Slovenia made their World Cup debuts . </P> <P> The tournament had several upsets and surprise results, which included the defending champions France being eliminated in the group stage after earning a single point and second favourites Argentina also being eliminated in the group stage . South Korea managed to reach the semi-finals, beating Spain, Italy and Portugal en route . However, the most potent team at the tournament, Brazil, prevailed, winning the final against Germany 2--0, making them the first and only country to have won the World Cup five times . The victory qualified Brazil for the 2003 and subsequently 2005 FIFA Confederations Cups, its fourth and fifth Confederations Cup appearance in a row . In the third place play - off match against South Korea, Turkey won 3--2, taking third place in only their second ever FIFA World Cup . </P> <P> South Korea and Japan were selected as hosts by FIFA on 31 May 1996 . Initially, South Korea, Japan, and Mexico presented three rival bids . FIFA officials brokered a united bid between the two Asian countries shortly before the decision was made, and they were chosen unanimously in preference to Mexico . This was the first World Cup to be hosted by more than one country, the second being the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada . The general secretary of South Korea's bidding committee, Song Young - shik, stated that FIFA was interested in staging some matches in North Korea in order to aid Korean reunification, but it was ruled out . </P>

Who won the world cup football in 2002