View source for 1994 FIFA World Cup

{{Short description|Soccer tournament in the United States}}
{{redirect|1994 World Cup}}
{{Redirect|USA 94|the satellite|USA-94}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name   = FIFA World Cup
| year           = 1994
| other_titles   = World Cup USA '94
| image          = 1994 FIFA World Cup.svg
| caption        = ''Making Soccer History''
| country        = United States
| dates          = June 17 – July 17
| confederations = 5
| num_teams      = 24
| venues         = 9
| cities         = 9
| champion       = Brazil
| count          = 4
| second         = Italy
| third          = Sweden
| fourth         = Bulgaria
| matches        = 52
| goals          = 141
| attendance     = {{#expr: 63117 + 56247 + 73425 + 75338 + 91856 + 61219 + 52395 + 93194 + 81061 + 50535 + 54456 + 63113 + 44132 + 61428 + 93869 + 74624 + 54453 + 60790 + 83401 + 71528 + 76322 + 62387 + 54453 + 63160 + 83401 + 93869 + 63089 + 63998 + 52535 + 72404 + 74914 + 77217 + 52959 + 60578 + 63998 + 53001 + 60246 + 53121 + 60277 + 90469 + 61355 + 84147 + 54367 + 74500 + 53400 + 63500 + 75000 + 83500 + 75500 + 91500 + 93500 + 94194}}
| top_scorer     = {{fbicon|BUL}} [[Hristo Stoichkov]]<br />{{fbicon|RUS}} [[Oleg Salenko]]<br />(6 goals each)
| player         = {{fbicon|BRA}} [[Romário]]
| goalkeeper     = {{fbicon|BEL}} [[Michel Preud'homme]]
| young_player   = {{fbicon|NED}} [[Marc Overmars]]
| fair_play      = {{fb|BRA}}
| prevseason     = [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]
| nextseason     = [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]
}}
The '''1994 FIFA World Cup''' was the 15th [[FIFA World Cup]], the world championship for men's national [[association football|soccer]] teams. It was hosted by the United States and took place from June 17 to July 17, 1994, at nine venues across the country. The United States was chosen as the [[FIFA World Cup hosts#1994 FIFA World Cup|host]] by [[FIFA]] on July 4, 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/51/97/81/ip-201_13a_fwc-host.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup™ Host Announcement |publisher=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117104450/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/51/97/81/ip-201_13a_fwc-host.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-01-17 }}</ref> Despite soccer's relative lack of popularity in the host nation, the tournament was the most financially successful in World Cup history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2018-06-09/russia2018/World-Cup-Moments-1994-Penalties-decide-low-key-but-financially-successful-American-tournament-6736191279|title=World Cup Moments, 1994: Penalties decide low key but financially successful American tournament |work=[[The Malta Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-07-19-1994200016-story.html|title=U.S. Cup brimming with profits WORLD CUP 1994|first=Paul|last=McMullen|work=Baltimore Sun|date=July 19, 1994 }}</ref> It broke tournament records with overall attendance of 3,587,538 and an average of 68,991 per game,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/news/story/_/id/1834594/1994 |title=World Cup History: 1994 |date=April 30, 2014 |first1=John |last1=Brewin |first2=Martin |last2=Williamson |website=ESPN.com |access-date=June 25, 2020 }}</ref> figures that stand unsurpassed as of 2022,<ref name="FIFA Records">{{cite web |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/213e0ab950f5bbbc/original/o3dx8kjlopctz35v460o-pdf.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup comparative statistics 1982-2014 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716015538/https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/213e0ab950f5bbbc/original/o3dx8kjlopctz35v460o-pdf.pdf |archive-date=July 16, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> despite the expansion of the competition from 24 to 32 teams starting with the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/08/sports/soccer/world-cup-concacaf-2026-bid.html |title=U.S., Mexico and Canada Likely to Affirm Joint World Cup Bid |first=Andrew |last=Das |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 8, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2020 }}</ref>

[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] was crowned the winner after [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final|defeating]] [[Italy national football team|Italy]] 3–2 in a [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] at the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] in [[Pasadena, California]], near [[Los Angeles]], after the game had ended 0–0 after [[Overtime (Association football)|extra time]]. It was the first World Cup final to be decided on penalties. The victory made Brazil the first nation to win four World Cup titles. There were three new entrants in the tournament: [[Greece national football team|Greece]], [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], and [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]]; [[Russia national football team|Russia]] also appeared as a separate nation for the first time, following the breakup of the [[Soviet Union]], and for the first time since 1938, a unified [[Germany national football team|Germany]] took part in the tournament. It was also the defending champion, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]]. It was the first World Cup in which three points were awarded for a victory instead of two and also the first with the [[back-pass rule]]. This was done to encourage a more attacking style of soccer as a response to the criticism of the defensive tactics and low-scoring matches of the [[1990 World Cup]]. This resulted in an average of 2.71 goals per match, compared to 2.21 in 1990.

==Background and preparations==
===Bidding process===
Three nations bid to host the event: United States,&nbsp;Brazil, and&nbsp;Morocco.<ref name="FIFA Voting" /> The vote was held in Zurich on July 4, 1988 ([[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] in the United States), and only took one round with the United States bid receiving a little over half of the votes by the [[FIFA Executive Committee]] members.<ref name="FIFA Voting">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/51/97/81/fs-201_13a_fwc-bidding.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722021820/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/51/97/81/fs-201%5f13a%5ffwc-bidding.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |title=FIFA World Cup host announcement decision |website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |page=2 |access-date=January 30, 2013}}</ref> FIFA hoped that by staging the world's most prestigious tournament there, it would [[Soccer in the United States|lead to a growth of interest in the sport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/04/usa-world-cup-94-inside-story |title=How USA was chosen to host World Cup 94: the inside story of a historic day |first=Michael |last=Lewis |author-link=Michael Lewis |date=July 4, 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>

An inspection committee also found that the proposed Brazilian stadiums were deficient, while the Moroccan bid relied on the construction of nine new stadiums. Conversely, all the proposed stadiums in the United States were already built and fully functioning; U.S. Soccer spent $500&nbsp;million preparing and organizing the tournament, far less than the billions other countries previously had spent and subsequently would spend on preparing for this tournament.<ref>{{Cite news |title=History's made, now work begins: U.S. soccer savoring '94 World Cup bid |last=Czuczka |first=Tony |date=July 5, 1988 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |agency=Associated Press |page=D2}}</ref> The U.S. bid was seen as the favorite and was prepared in response to losing the right to be the replacement host for the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 tournament]] following Colombia's withdrawal.<ref>{{Cite news |title=U.S. Soccer officials expect to land 1994 World Cup |last=Cress |first=Doug |date=March 13, 1988 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |page=D12}}</ref>

One condition FIFA imposed was the creation of a professional soccer league – [[Major League Soccer]] was founded in 1993 and began operating in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/07/04/does-the-united-states-really-deserve-to-host-another-world-cup/ |title=Does the United States really deserve to host another World Cup? |first=Michael J. |last=Agovino |newspaper=Washington Post |date=July 4, 2018 |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> There was some initial controversy<ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/07/05/us-to-host-1994-soccer-world-cup/4289e86b-3288-4308-9ad5-f0b57dbc9089/ |title=U.S. to host 1994 Soccer World Cup |first=Robert J. |last=McCartney |date=July 5, 1988 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref> about awarding the World Cup to a country where soccer was not a nationally popular sport, and at the time, in 1988,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-world-cup-usa-94-americas-passing-interest-1423009.html|title=Football / World Cup USA '94: America's passing interest|date=June 15, 1994|website=The Independent}}</ref> the U.S. no longer had a professional league; the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]], established in 1967, had folded in 1984 after attendance faded.<ref name="auto"/> The success of the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] in Los Angeles, particularly the [[Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics|soccer tournament]] that drew 1.4&nbsp;million spectators throughout the event, also contributed to FIFA's decision.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/05/sports/us-awarded-94-world-cup-tourney-in-soccer.html |title=U.S. Awarded '94 World Cup Tourney in Soccer |date=July 5, 1988 |newspaper=New York Times |first=Michael |last=Janofsky |access-date=October 8, 2020 }}</ref>

The United States had previously bid to host the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]], after Colombia withdrew as the host nation in November 1982 because of economic concerns. Despite a presentation led by former [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] players [[Pelé]] and [[Franz Beckenbauer]], as well as former [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Henry Kissinger]], the executive committee selected Mexico.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/07/10/how-the-us-won-the-world-cup/04eff69a-2e1b-470a-bda6-37573ef66cf9/ |title=How the U.S. won the World Cup |newspaper=Washington Post |first=Steve |last=Berkowitz |date=July 10, 1988 |access-date=October 8, 2020}}</ref> There were proposals by [[FIFA]] to introduce larger goals and breaks after every quarter instead of just at halftime in order to appease U.S. television advertisers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/12/10/sports-broadcasting-televisions-tech_cx_pm_games06_1212soccer.html|title=This Game Is Brought To You By ...|first=Paul|last=Maidment|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/07/16/new-offside-rule-is-designed-to-spruce-up-game/593a171e-0e07-47db-a642-35f76fdc7da4/|title=New Offside Rule Is Designed to Spruce Up Game|date=July 16, 1990|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-26-sp-1120-story.html|title=The president of soccer's governing body wants...|date=February 26, 1990|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> These proposals were met with resistance,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-09-sp-2337-story.html|title=European Soccer Chief Opposes Rule Changes : World Cup: International federation has been debating reforms in advance of 1994 competition in U.S.|date=October 9, 1990|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> and ultimately rejected.

==Venues==
{{Original research section|section|date=February 2024}}
The games were played in nine cities across the [[contiguous United States]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-world-cup-1994-world-cup-1994-fixtures-1468893.html | title=Football / World Cup 1994: World Cup 1994 fixtures|date=December 21, 1993|website=The Independent}}</ref> All stadiums had a capacity of at least 53,000  and were occupied by [[National Football League|professional]] or [[College football|college]] [[American football]] teams.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-10-ss-14091-story.html |title=World Cup USA 1994: A Tale of Nine Cities |date=July 10, 1994 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

Other host city candidates included [[Atlanta]], [[Denver]], [[Kansas City]], [[Las Vegas]], [[Miami]], [[Minneapolis]], [[New Orleans]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Seattle]], and [[Tampa]], as well as smaller communities such as [[Annapolis, Maryland]]; [[Columbus, Ohio]]; [[Corvallis, Oregon]]; and [[New Haven, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 24, 1992 |title=THE 1994 BID: How the U.S. got the World Cup |url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2017/04/09/1994-bid-u-s-got-world-cup/|page=D1 |work=frontrowsoccer.com}}</ref> Some sites, including [[Joe Robbie Stadium]] in [[Miami]] and [[Candlestick Park]] in [[San Francisco]], were rejected because of conflicts with [[Major League Baseball]]. [[Stanford Stadium]], {{convert|30|mi}} southeast of San Francisco,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 24, 1992 |title=Baseball's key role in World Cup sites |page=D1 |work=[[San Francisco Examiner]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chapin |first=Dwight |date=March 23, 1992 |title=Stanford to host World Cup in 1994 |page=A1 |work=San Francisco Examiner}}</ref> and the [[Camping World Stadium|Citrus Bowl]] in [[Orlando, Florida]], were picked (the [[Miami Orange Bowl]], another Miami venue, required major renovations to meet tournament standards).<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 24, 1992 |title=World Cup gives JRS the boot: Miami rejected because of conflict with Marlins |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-03-24-9201300198-story.html |work=Sun Sentinel}}</ref>

The [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] hosted the most matches with eight, four of them in the knockout stage, including the final. [[Giants Stadium]] hosted seven games including a semifinal; [[Foxborough Stadium]], Stanford Stadium, and the [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]] hosted six games each, and [[Soldier Field]], [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium]], and the Citrus Bowl hosted five games each. [[Pontiac Silverdome]], the first indoor stadium used in a World Cup, hosted four group-stage games, the fewest of any venue; it was also the only one of the nine used that did not host knockout-round games.

Aside from the oceanic coolness of Boston (Foxborough), the Mediterranean climate of San Francisco (Stanford), and occasionally the coolness of Chicago, as they had been in Mexico in 1970 and 1986 most matches were played in hot and/or humid conditions, thanks to nearly all of the games being scheduled to be played during the day. This enabled European television broadcasters to air World Cup matches during late afternoon and evening hours. For example, matches that started at 12:30 PM EDT in New York would air at 6:30 PM in Paris, France.<ref>https://www.travelmath.com/time-change/from/New+York,+NY/to/Paris,+France</ref> Although playing in the mostly dry heat and smoggy conditions of Los Angeles (Pasadena) and the mixture of heat and humidity of Washington and New Jersey sometimes proved to be difficult, the cities with the most consistently oppressive conditions were Orlando and Dallas in the [[Southern United States|South]], because of the combination of heat and extreme humidity.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-14-ss-15690-story.html |title=World Cup USA 1994: The Best and the Worst |date=July 14, 1994 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The Floridian tropical climate of Orlando meant all games there were played in temperatures of {{convert|95|°F|°C}} or above with dew points above 70 or more (the temperature there during the group stage game between Mexico and Ireland was {{convert|105|°F|°C}}) due to the mid-day start times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/qatar-world-cup-2022-football-greg-dyke-fa-hot-temperature|title=Is Qatar too hot for the World Cup?|date=August 10, 2013|website=Channel 4 News}}</ref> Dallas was not much different: in the humid heat of a Texas summer, temperatures exceeded {{convert|100|°F|°C}} during mid-day, when games there were staged in the open-type Cotton Bowl meant that conditions were just as oppressive there as they were in Orlando.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/us-1994-was-a-world-cup-of-scorched-feet-and-sweaty-fans/ |title=US 1994 was a World Cup of scorched feet and sweaty fans |website=[[Fox News]] |date=May 29, 2014}}</ref> Detroit also proved to be difficult: the Pontiac Silverdome did not have a working cooling system and because it was an [[Air-supported structure|air-supported]] stadium, the air could not escape through circulation, so temperatures inside the stadium would climb past {{convert|90|°F|°C}} with 40% humidity. United States midfielder [[Thomas Dooley]] described the Silverdome as "the worst place I have ever played at".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2014/3/4/5466056/world-cup-usmnt-1994-usa-soccer-history |title=The summer that changed U.S. soccer forever |date=March 4, 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! [[Los Angeles]]<br />{{small|([[Pasadena, California]])}}
! [[San Francisco]]<br />{{small|([[Stanford, California]])}}
! [[Detroit]]<br />{{small|([[Pontiac, Michigan]])}}
! [[New York City area|New York/New Jersey]]<br />{{small|([[East Rutherford, New Jersey]])}}
|-
| [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]
| [[Stanford Stadium]]
| [[Pontiac Silverdome]]
| [[Giants Stadium]]
|-
| Capacity: '''94,194'''
| Capacity: '''84,147'''
| Capacity: '''77,557'''
| Capacity: '''76,322'''
|-
| [[File:2018.06.17 Over the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA USA 0039 (42855669451) (cropped).jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Stanford Stadium satellite view.png|200px]]
| [[File:Silverdome 2.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Giants_Stadium_Hosts_the_1994_World_Cup.jpg|200px]]
|-
! [[Dallas]]
|colspan="3" rowspan="4"|
{{location map+|USA|float=center|width=500|places=
{{Location map~|USA|lat=34.161389|long=-118.1675|label='''[[Los Angeles]]'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=42.645833|long=-83.255|label='''[[Detroit]]'''|position=top}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=37.434444|long=-122.161111|label='''[[San Francisco]]'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=40.812222|long=-74.076944|label='''[[New York City area|New York/New Jersey]]'''|position=right}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=28.539167|long=-81.402778|label='''[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=41.862222|long=-87.616667|label='''[[Chicago]]'''|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=32.779722|long=-96.759722|label='''[[Dallas]]'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=42.0927|long=-71.267442|label='''[[Boston]]'''|position=top}}
{{Location map~|USA|lat=38.889722|long=-76.971667|label='''[[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]'''|position=bottom}}
}}
|-
| [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]]
|-
| Capacity: '''64,000'''
|-
| [[File:2007 Cotton Bowl panoramic 1 crop.jpg|200px]]
|-
! [[Chicago]]
! [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
! [[Boston]]<br />{{small|([[Foxborough, Massachusetts]])}}
! [[Washington, D.C.]]
|-
| [[Soldier Field]]
| [[Camping World Stadium|Citrus Bowl]]
| [[Foxboro Stadium]]
| [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium]]
|-
| Capacity: '''63,160'''
| Capacity: '''62,387'''
| Capacity: '''54,456'''
| Capacity: '''53,121'''
|-
| [[File:Soldier Field Chicago aerial view crop.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Citrus Bowl aerial view crop.jpg|200px]]
| [[File:Foxborostade crop 1.png|200px]]
| [[File:RFK Stadium aerial photo, 1988.JPEG|200px]]
|}

==Participating teams==

===Qualification===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2021}}{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup qualification}}

Three teams—one African, one Asian, and one European—made their debuts at the 1994 tournament. [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] qualified from the African zone alongside [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] and [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]] as [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] was granted three spots as a result of the strong performances by African teams in [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]] and [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]. In the Asian zone, [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] qualified for the first time by topping the final round group ahead of [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] as both edged out [[Japan national football team|Japan]], which was close to making its own World Cup debut, but was denied by [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]] in what became known as the "[[Agony of Doha]]". In the European zone, [[Greece national football team|Greece]] made its first World Cup appearance after topping a group from which [[Russia national football team|Russia]] also qualified, competing independently for the first time after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].

The defending champion, [[Germany national football team|West Germany]], was [[German reunification|united]] with its [[East Germany national football team|East German]] counterpart, representing the unified Germany for the first time since the [[1938 FIFA World Cup|1938 World Cup]]. [[Norway national football team|Norway]] qualified for the first time since 1938, [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] for the first time since [[1950 FIFA World Cup|1950]] (and the last time as of 2022), and [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] for the first time since [[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966]]. Norway's 56-year gap between appearances in the final tournament equaled [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]]'s record in the previous tournament as the longest. This record was later broken when [[Wales national football team|Wales]] qualified for the 2022 tournament after a 64-year absence. [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] had its first successful qualification campaign since [[1978 FIFA World Cup|1978]].

The qualification campaigns of both [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] and [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]] were affected by political events. The nation of [[Czechoslovakia]] [[Dissolution of Czechoslovakia|dissolved]] in 1993, completing its qualifying group under the name "Representation of Czechs and Slovaks" (RCS), but failed to qualify for the finals, having been edged out by [[Romania national football team|Romania]] and [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4|Group 4]]. Yugoslavia (which was supposed to play in [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 5|Group 5]]) was suspended from international competition in 1992 as part of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 757|United Nations sanctions]] against the [[Serbia and Montenegro|country]] as a result of the [[Yugoslav Wars]]. The sanctions were not lifted until 1994, by which time it was no longer possible for the team to qualify. [[Chile national football team|Chile]]'s suspension from the 1990 FIFA World Cup, following [[El Maracanazo|the forced interruption]] of its qualification game against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], extended to the 1994 qualifiers as well.

====List of qualified teams====
The following 24 teams, shown with their pre-tournament [[FIFA Men's World Rankings|FIFA World Ranking]] (in parentheses) from June 1994,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/rank=11/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618014701/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/rank=11/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |title=FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking (14 June 1994) |date=January 27, 2012 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association}}</ref> qualified for the final tournamentː

{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
;[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|AFC]] (2)
* {{fb|KSA}}&nbsp;(debut) (34)
* {{fb|KOR|1984}}&nbsp;(37)
;[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|CAF]] (3)
* {{fb|CMR}}&nbsp;(24)
* {{fb|MAR}}&nbsp;(28)
* {{fb|NGA}}&nbsp;(debut) (11)
;[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)|OFC]] (0)
* ''None qualified''
{{col-4}}
;[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|CONCACAF]] (2)
* {{fb|MEX}}&nbsp;(16)
* {{fb|USA}}&nbsp;(23) (host)
;[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|CONMEBOL]] (4)
* {{fb|ARG|1861}}&nbsp;(8)
* {{fb|BOL|civil}}&nbsp;(43)
* {{fb|BRA}}&nbsp;(3)
* {{fb|COL}}&nbsp;(17)
{{col-4}}
;[[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|UEFA]] (13)
* {{fb|BEL}}&nbsp;(27)
* {{fb|BUL}}&nbsp;(29)
* {{fb|GER}}&nbsp;(defending champion) (1)
* {{fb|GRE}}&nbsp;(debut) (31)
* {{fb|ITA|1946}}&nbsp;(4)
* {{fb|NED}}&nbsp;(2)
* {{fb|NOR}}&nbsp;(6)
* {{fb|IRL}}&nbsp;(14)
* {{fb|ROU}}&nbsp;(7)
* {{fb|RUS}}&nbsp;(19)
* {{fb|ESP}}&nbsp;(5)
* {{fb|SWE}}&nbsp;(10)
* {{fb|SUI}}&nbsp;(12)
{{col-4}}
[[File:1994 world cup qualification.png|thumb|upright=1.4|{{legend|#000cff|Countries qualified for World Cup}} {{legend|#ffb400|Country failed to qualify}} {{legend|black|Countries that did not enter or were banned from the World Cup}} {{legend|#ababab|Country not a FIFA member}}]]
{{col-end}}

==Squads==
{{further|1994 FIFA World Cup squads}}

Teams were selected following usual FIFA rules with 22 players. Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Spain were the only countries that had all their players coming from domestic teams, while the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria had no players from domestic teams. Saudi Arabia was the only team with no players from European teams.

==Referees==
{{col-float-begin}}
;[[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
* {{fbaicon|MRI}} [[Lim Kee Chong]]
* {{fbaicon|TUN|1959}} [[Neji Jouini]]

;[[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
* {{fbaicon|SYR|1980}} [[Jamal Al Sharif]]
* {{fbaicon|UAE}} [[Ali Bujsaim]]

;[[UEFA]]
* {{fbaicon|ITA|1946}} [[Fabio Baldas]]
* {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Manuel Díaz Vega]]
* {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Philip Don]]
* {{fbaicon|SWE}} [[Bo Karlsson]]
* {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Hellmut Krug]]
* {{fbaicon|DEN}} [[Peter Mikkelsen (referee)|Peter Mikkelsen]]
* {{fbaicon|SCO}} [[Leslie Mottram]]
* {{fbaicon|ITA|1946}} [[Pierluigi Pairetto]]
* {{fbaicon|HUN}} [[Sándor Puhl]]
* {{fbaicon|FRA|1974}} [[Joël Quiniou]]
* {{fbaicon|SUI}} [[Kurt Röthlisberger]]
* {{fbaicon|NED}} [[Mario van der Ende]]
{{col-float-break}}
;[[CONCACAF]]
* {{fbaicon|USA}} [[Arturo Angeles]]
* {{fbaicon|CRC}} [[Rodrigo Badilla]]
* {{fbaicon|MEX}} [[Arturo Brizio Carter]]
;[[CONMEBOL]]
* {{fbaicon|COL}} [[José Torres Cadena]]
* {{fbaicon|URU}} [[Ernesto Filippi]]
* {{fbaicon|ARG|1861}} [[Francisco Oscar Lamolina]]
* {{fbaicon|BRA}} [[Renato Marsiglia]]
* {{fbaicon|PER}} [[Alberto Tejada]]
{{col-float-end}}

==Draw==
===Seeding and drawing===
The [[FIFA World Cup Organisers|FIFA Organizing Committee]] upheld the tradition to seed the host (United States) and defending champion (Germany), along with the other four teams ranked in the top five based on their results obtained in the last three FIFA World Cups. The newly introduced [[FIFA Men's World Rankings|FIFA World Ranking]] was not used as part of the calculated ranking for the seeding in this World Cup, as FIFA considered it to be too new.<ref name="1994seeding">{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/82/40/89/fs-201_12a_fwc-seeding.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722050449/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/82/40/89/fs-201_12a_fwc-seeding.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2012|work=FIFA fact sheet|title=FIFA World Cup: seeded teams in 1930-2010}}</ref> Despite that it was not used in any way, for comparison purposes the teams' pre-tournament FIFA World ranking position from June 1994 are shown in parentheses,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616093759/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id11 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 June 2022|title=FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking (14 June 1994) |date=14 June 1994|website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association}}</ref> followed by the official and used ranking (OR) position determined by the results obtained in the last three world cups.

The six top-seeded teams, were allocated in pot 1 and would be drawn into the first position of the six groups playing in the group stage. The remaining 18 teams were allocated into three pots based on geographical sections, with the: six qualified teams from Africa and Americas in pot 2, the top-6 ranked European teams in pot 3, while pot 4 comprised the 7th-10th best qualified European teams along with the two qualified Asian teams.

The principle of the draw was that each of the six drawn groups would have one team drawn respectively from pot 1, 2, 3 and 4; while respecting the following geographical limitations:
# At least two [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|European teams from UEFA]] in all groups, with one group having three European teams.
# United States and Mexico could not be drawn in the same group, because only one [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|CONCACAF team]] per group.
# Brazil and Argentina could not be drawn with another South American team, because only one [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|CONMEBOL team]] per group.
# As all qualified [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|Asian teams from AFC]] were in pot 4, and all qualified [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|African teams from CAF]] in pot 2, this automatically ensured only allowing maximum one Asian team and maximum one African team per group, as part of the normal draw procedure - without needing to observe special restricting sub-rules for them.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Pot 1<br />Top-seeded teams<br /><small> (top 5 teams + hosts)</small>
!Pot 2<br />Africa & Americas<br /><small>([[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|CAF]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|CONCACAF]] and [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|CONMEBOL]])</small>
!Pot 3<br />Best unseeded from Europe<br /> <small> ([[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|UEFA]])</small>
!Pot 4<br />Asia and worst ranked from Europe<br /><small> ([[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|AFC]] and [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|UEFA]])</small>
|-
|valign="top"|
* {{fb|USA}}<small> (hosts) (23, OR=18)</small>
* {{fb|GER}}<small> (1990 champions) (1, OR=1)</small>
* {{fb|ARG|1861}}<small> (8, OR=2)</small>
* {{fb|ITA|1946}}<small> (4, OR=3)</small>
* {{fb|BRA}}<small> (3, OR=4)</small>
* {{fb|BEL}}<small> (27, OR=5)</small>
|valign="top"|
* {{fb|MEX}}<small> (16, OR=8)</small>
* {{fb|CMR}}<small> (24, OR=9)</small>
* {{fb|MAR}}<small> (28, OR=11)</small>
* {{fb|COL}}<small> (17, OR=13)</small>
* {{fb|NGA}}<small> (11, OR=new)</small>
* {{fb|BOL|civil}}<small> (43, OR=new)</small>
|valign="top"|
* {{fb|ESP}}<small> (5, OR=6)</small>
* {{fb|RUS}}<small> (19, OR=7)</small>
* {{fb|IRL|name=Ireland}}<small> (14, OR=10)</small>
* {{fb|ROU}}<small> (7, OR=12)</small>
* {{fb|NED}}<small> (2, OR=14)</small>
* {{fb|BUL}}<small> (29, OR=15)</small>
|valign="top"|
* {{fb|KOR|1984}}<small> (37, OR=16)</small>
* {{fb|SWE}}<small> (10, OR=17)</small>
* {{fb|GRE}}<small> (31, OR=new)</small>
* {{fb|NOR}}<small> (6, OR=new)</small>
* {{fb|SUI}}<small> (12, OR=new)</small>
* {{fb|KSA}}<small> (34, OR=new)</small>
|}
* The draw took place at the [[Las Vegas Convention Center]] and was televised live on December 19, 1993, on [[ESPN]] in the United States & [[Eurosport]] in all Europe with English language commentary on the latter channel by Scottish sportscaster [[Archie Macpherson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxX2tQNiv6w |title=USA '94 &#124; FIFA World Cup Draw &#124; EUROSPORT |website=[[YouTube]] |date=December 27, 2020 }}</ref> The draw presenters were [[Dick Clark]] and [[Faye Dunaway]].

Ahead of the draw, the FIFA Organizing Committee had decided to allocate the top-seeded first group position A1 for the United States as the host, C1 for defending champion Germany, and E1 for the Italian team, which had requested to play most of its group matches at [[Giants Stadium]] in [[New York metropolitan area|New York]]. The three other top-seeded teams would be located at the first position of either group B/D/F, with the decision largely depending on the identity of the other drawn group members for the seeded teams. Therefore, this last decision would only be made by a secret vote made by the FIFA Organizing Committee a few minutes after all teams had been drawn for all groups, and the decision would only be announced as the last step of the televised draw event. To make this procedure possible, the six drawn groups would during the draw be given the colors green, orange, white, black, pink and blue; and the closing remarks at the event would then reveal the group letters represented by the colors. The six groups from A to F would play their group matches in the following nine cities:<ref name="Group formation">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/12/12/world-cup-notebook/fb84cd3f-9946-4480-bc9d-61a65b9eb770/|title=World Cup notebook|newspaper=Washington Post|first=Steven|last=Goff|date=12 December 1993|access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref>
* Group A and B played in [[Detroit]], [[San Francisco]], and [[Los Angeles]].
* Group C and D played in [[Chicago]], [[Dallas]], and [[Boston]].
* Group E and F played in [[New York metropolitan area|New York]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]], and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]].

Procedure for the draw:<ref name="Draw of Groups">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxX2tQNiv6w |title=USA '94 - FIFA World Cup Draw - Eurosport|date=19 December 1993|access-date=28 December 2020|via=YouTube|medium=video|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619122003/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxX2tQNiv6w|archive-date=19 June 2022}}</ref>
# Pot 1 was used to draw the six top-seeded teams into the first position of the six groups designated by the colors green, orange, white, black, pink and blue. Group letters behind each color would only be decided by a following secret FIFA Organizing Committee vote and only be revealed after the draw had been completed, although the committee had already predetermined ahead of the draw that (1) the United States should play in group A, (2) Germany should play in group C, and (3) Italy should play in group E.<ref name="Group formation"/>
# Pot 2 was used to draw one team to each of the six colored groups, with the draw conducted in the color order from left to right (green, orange, white, black, pink, blue); while this order however at the same time had to respect the following restricted geographical rules:
#* '''Rule 1:''' First two drawn non South American teams shall irrespectively of the color order, first be drawn into the two groups led by a South American team, in order to avoid the possibility for these groups later to be drawn by a second South American team.
#* '''Rule 2:''' First drawn South American team or one of the last two African teams shall irrespectively of the color order, first be drawn into the group led by the CONCACAF team, the United States, in order to avoid the possibility for this group later to be drawn by the second CONCACAF team Mexico.
#* '''Rule 3:''' One of the two South American teams or one of the last two African teams shall irrespectively of the color order, first be drawn into the first available open group being led by a European team, in order to avoid the meeting of two South American teams in the same group.
#* '''Rule 4:''' Mexico can not be drawn together with the United States as they are both CONCACAF teams, so Mexico will be grouped with the first still open available group being led by a European or South American team, as per the color order.
# Pot 3 was used to draw one European team to each of the six colored groups, with the draw conducted in the color order from left to right (green, orange, white, black, pink, blue).
# Pot 4 was used to draw one European/Asian team to each of six colored groups, with the draw conducted in the color order from left to right (green, orange, white, black, pink, blue). However, in order to respect the geographical rule that five of the groups shall have two European teams - and the rule that three European teams is only allowed in one group, the color order will be skipped subject to these allocation rules:
#* '''Rule 1:''' All drawn [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|Asian (AFC) teams]] would not be drawn into any of the three groups led by a top-seeded CONCACAF/CONMEBOL team (United States/Brazil/Argentina), but would instead only be allowed to join a group being led by a top-seeded European team.
#* '''Rule 2:''' All drawn [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|European (UEFA) teams]], shall first be drawn into the three groups led by a top-seeded CONCACAF/CONMEBOL team (United States/Brazil/Argentina), until the point of time when only European team(s) remain to be drawn from the last pot 4.
# The exact group position number for the teams (2, 3 or 4) in each colored group, were also drawn immediately from six special group bowls, after each respective team had been drawn from pot 2, 3 and 4.
# Group letters behind each color (green, orange, white, black, pink and blue) would finally be decided by a final secret FIFA Organizing Committee vote, being announced as the last part of the televised event.

The draw was officiated by FIFA general-secretary [[Joseph Blatter]]. Teams were drawn by former and at the time football players such as [[Eusébio]], [[Tony Meola]], [[Bobby Charlton]], [[Roger Milla]], [[Michel Platini]], and [[Marco van Basten]]; actor [[Beau Bridges]]; Women's World Cup champion [[Michelle Akers]]; model [[Carol Alt]]; artist [[Peter Max]]; racecar driver [[Mario Andretti]]; and Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics [[Mary Lou Retton]]. Numbers for placement in the group were drawn by German legend [[Franz Beckenbauer]], heavyweight boxing champion [[Evander Holyfield]], and comedian and actor [[Robin Williams]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Arnold |first=P. |title=FIFA World Cup USA 94 The Official Book |year=1994 |page=12 |publisher=Collins |location=San Francisco |isbn=0-00-255231-0 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/44/131203-mnt-1994-wc-draw |title=Looking Back at the 1994 FIFA World Cup Draw |website=ussoccer.com|first=Michael|last=Lewis|date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410101244/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/44/131203-mnt-1994-wc-draw |url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="Draw of Groups"/>

===Results of the draw===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
![[#Group A|Group A]]<br /><small>(blue)</small>
![[#Group B|Group B]]<br /><small>(orange)</small>
![[#Group C|Group C]]<br /><small>(green)</small>
![[#Group D|Group D]]<br /><small>(white)</small>
![[#Group E|Group E]]<br /><small>(pink)</small>
![[#Group F|Group F]]<br /><small>(black)</small>
|-
|valign="top"|
# {{fb|USA}}<br /><small> (23, OR=18)</small>
# {{fb|SUI}}<br /><small> (12, OR=new)</small>
# {{fb|COL}}<br /><small> (17, OR=13)</small>
# {{fb|ROU}}<br /><small> (7, OR=12)</small>
|valign="top"|
# {{fb|BRA}}<br /><small> (3, OR=4)</small>
# {{fb|RUS}}<br /><small> (19, OR=7)</small>
# {{fb|CMR}}<br /><small> (24, OR=9)</small>
# {{fb|SWE}}<br /><small> (10, OR=17)</small>
|valign="top"|
# {{fb|GER}}<br /><small> (1, OR=1)</small>
# {{fb|BOL|civil}}<br /><small> (43, OR=new)</small>
# {{fb|ESP}}<br /><small> (5, OR=6)</small>
# {{fb|KOR|1984}}<br /><small> (37, OR=16)</small>
|valign="top"|
# {{fb|ARG|1861}}<br /><small> (8, OR=2)</small>
# {{fb|GRE}}<br /><small> (31, OR=new)</small>
# {{fb|NGA}}<br /><small> (11, OR=new)</small>
# {{fb|BUL}}<br /><small> (29, OR=15)</small>
|valign="top"|
# {{fb|ITA|1946}}<br /><small> (4, OR=3)</small>
# {{fb|IRL|name=Ireland}}<br /><small> (14, OR=10)</small>
# {{fb|NOR}}<br /><small> (6, OR=new)</small>
# {{fb|MEX}}<br /><small> (16, OR=8)</small>
|valign="top"|
# {{fb|BEL}}<br /><small> (27, OR=5)</small>
# {{fb|MAR}}<br /><small> (28, OR=11)</small>
# {{fb|NED}}<br /><small> (2, OR=14)</small>
# {{fb|KSA}}<br /><small> (34, OR=new)</small>
|}
In each group, the teams played three games, one against each of the other teams. After completion of the group stage, the best two teams in each group, as well as the [[#Ranking of third-placed teams|four best-ranked third-place teams]], advanced to the round of 16 in the [[#Knockout stage|knockout stage]]. This format was identical to the tournament structure used in [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]] and [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]] except that a win now earned three points instead of two, to encourage more attacking play.

==Summary==
{{Anchor|Format|Summary of tournament}}
The format of the competition stayed the same as in the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cup]]: 24 teams qualified, divided into six groups of four. Sixteen teams would qualify for the knockout phase: the six group winners, the six group runners-up, and the four third-placed teams with the best records. This was the last time this format was used, due to the [[1998 FIFA World Cup#Format|expansion of the finals tournament in 1998]] to 32 teams. FIFA introduced three rule changes for this tournament to encourage attacking play: [[Three points for a win|three points awarded for a win]] in a group stage match instead of two, a relaxed [[Offside (association football)|offside rule]] and a [[Back-pass rule|ban on picking up back-passes to goalkeepers]]. The number of goals increased to 2.73 per game from the record-low of 2.21 in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/13/usa-94-the-best-moments-from-americas-first-world-cup |title=USA 94: the World Cup that distracted Americans from Oprah and OJ |first=Bryan Armen |last=Graham |date=June 13, 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=January 11, 2021 }}</ref>

The tournament saw the end of [[Diego Maradona]]'s World Cup career, having played in the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]], [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], and [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cups]], and leading [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] to the 1986 World Cup title and the final of the 1990 World Cup. Maradona was expelled from the tournament by FIFA after he failed a drug test that uncovered [[ephedrine]], a weight-loss drug, in his blood. [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]], despite high expectations due to their style and impressive qualifying campaign, [[Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup|failed to advance from the round robin]]. The team was dogged by influence from betting syndicates and drug cartels, with coach [[Francisco Maturana]] receiving death threats over squad selection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-24-mn-8067-story.html |title=Colombians Ponder Defeat, Threats |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 24, 1994 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-colombias-1994-world-cup-campaign-led-to-the-murder-of-andres-escobar/|title=How Colombia's 1994 World Cup Campaign Led To The Murder of Andres Escobar|first=Will|last=Magee|date=July 20, 2017}}</ref> After scoring an own goal for the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] and effectively eliminating Colombia from the competition, defender [[Andrés Escobar]] was shot to death on his return to Colombia outside a bar in a [[Medellín]] suburb 10 days later, possibly in retaliation for his mistake.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/hof/escobar/ |title=World Cup Hall of Fame – Andrés Escobar (1967–1994)] |website=CNNSI.com |date=May 8, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021022052443/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/hof/escobar/ |archive-date=October 22, 2002 |access-date=June 25, 2020 }}</ref>

[[File:WorldCup1994BulgariaGermany.jpg|thumb|[[Lothar Matthäus]] scoring a penalty kick in Germany's quarterfinal against Bulgaria at [[Giants Stadium]] on July 10. Bulgaria came back to win the game.]]

[[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] was one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The Bulgarians had never won a game in five previous World Cup appearances, but, led by [[Hristo Stoichkov]], who would eventually share the tournament lead in [[World Cup Golden Boot|scoring]], they presented a formidable challenge for the title. The team won two of their three group games to qualify for the second round, where they advanced after a 3–1 penalty shootout win over [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]. They then faced reigning world champions [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in the quarterfinals, where goals from Stoichkov and [[Yordan Letchkov|Letchkov]] gave them a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/11/sports/world-cup-94-bulgaria-a-small-foot-in-soccer-steps-closer-to-glass-slipper.html|title=Bulgaria, a Small Foot in Soccer, Steps Closer to Glass Slipper|date=July 12, 1994|website=The New York Times}}</ref> Bulgaria went on to finish in fourth place after losing to Italy in the semifinals and Sweden in the third-place game.

The host nation United States, after a 23rd-place finish in the 1990 tournament, advanced to the second round as one of the best third-place teams. They were eliminated in the Round of 16 in a 1–0 defeat to [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] on [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]].

Brazil's win over the hosts helped take them to the final against [[Italy national football team|Italy]]. Brazil's path was relatively smooth as they never trailed over 270 minutes of the knockout stage, defeating the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] in the quarterfinals and [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] in the semis after the aforementioned win over the hosts. The Italians meanwhile had made hard work of reaching the final. During the group stage, Italy struggled and narrowly advanced to the next round, despite losing 1–0 to the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]. Italian playmaker [[Roberto Baggio]], who as the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon D'Or holder, was expected{{by whom|date=June 2020}} to be one of the stars of the tournament,{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} had not yet scored a goal. During the Round of 16 games against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], Italy was trailing 1–0 in the dying minutes when Baggio scored the tying goal, forcing the game into [[extra time]]. He scored again with a penalty kick to send Italy through. Baggio carried the Italians from there, scoring the game-winning goal in the quarterfinal against [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]], and both goals in Italy's semifinal victory over Bulgaria.<ref name="Baggio">{{cite news |url=http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174363/ |title=Divine by moniker, divine by magic |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602200053/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=174363/ |website=FIFA.com |accessdate=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=June 2, 2014 }}</ref>

The third-place playoff was set between Bulgaria and Sweden, the team which scored more goals than any other in this World Cup with 15 over seven matches. These teams had also previously met in the [[1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA – Group 6)|qualifying group]]. Sweden won, 4–0. Swedish forward [[Tomas Brolin]] was named to the All-star team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |title=FIFA World Cup All-Star Team – Football world Cup All Star Team |publisher=Football sporting 99 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630203237/http://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2014}}</ref>

The [[1994 FIFA World Cup Final|final game]] at the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] was tense but devoid of scoring chances. It was the second time in [[1970 FIFA World Cup|24 years]] that the two nations had met in a [[1970 FIFA World Cup Final|final]]. After 120 goalless minutes, the World Cup was decided for the first time by a penalty shootout. After four rounds, Brazil led 3–2, and Baggio, playing injured, had to score to keep Italy's hopes alive.<ref name="Baggio" /> He missed by shooting it over the crossbar, and the Brazilians were crowned champions for the fourth time.<ref name="FOXSports" /> After the game ended, [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] hosted the awarding ceremony by handing Brazilian captain [[Dunga]] the prestigious trophy; the Brazil national team dedicated the title to the deceased [[Formula One]] motor racing champion and countryman [[Ayrton Senna]], who had [[Death of Ayrton Senna|died two and a half months prior]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Senna served as inspiration for Brazil during 1994 World Cup run |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/auto-racing/sennas-death-inspired-brazils-94-wc-run/ |website=www.sportsnet.ca |language=en}}</ref>

The tournament's [[FIFA World Cup Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] went jointly to Bulgaria's Stoichkov and [[Oleg Salenko]] of [[Russia national football team|Russia]], the latter becoming the first player to score five goals in a game, coming in a 6–1 victory against [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]. Both players scored six goals in the tournament. Brazilian striker [[Romário]], with five goals, won the [[Golden Ball (FIFA)|Golden Ball]] as the tournament's best player.<ref name="FOXSports">{{cite news |url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/editorial/news/detail/item776966/ |title=Romario is legen......dary |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212946/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/editorial/news/detail/item776966/ |archivedate=January 4, 2014 |work=Fox Sports |accessdate=November 19, 2013 }}</ref>

Despite previous controversy, the U.S. staged a hugely successful tournament, with an average attendance of nearly 70,000, surpassing the [[1966 FIFA World Cup]] average attendance of 51,000, thanks to the large seating capacities of the stadiums in the United States in comparison to the generally smaller venues of Europe and Latin America. To this day, the total attendance for the final tournament of nearly 3.6 million remains the highest in World Cup history, despite the expansion of the competition from 24 to 32 teams at the 1998 World Cup in France.<ref name="FIFA Records"/>

===Opening ceremony===
[[File:Bill and Hillary Clinton at 1994 FIFA World Cup P16938-19a 17Jun1994.jpg|thumb|President [[Bill Clinton]] (left, white shirt) and First Lady [[Hillary Clinton]] (in blue, wearing sunglasses) watching the opening match in Chicago along the then [[International Olympic Committee ]] president [[Juan Antonio Samaranch]]]]The opening ceremony of the World Cup was held on June 17 at Chicago's Soldier Field. The ceremony was [[emcee]]d by [[Oprah Winfrey]], who introduced [[Diana Ross]]: she gave a musical performance. Ross was also intended to score a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] at the beginning of her performance, with the goal then splitting in two as part of a pre-orchestrated stunt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/world-cup-2014-countdown-diana-ross-and-the-opening-ceremony-of-usa-94-9169002.html|title=World Cup 2014 countdown: Diana Ross and the opening ceremony of USA|date=March 4, 2014|website=The Independent}}</ref> Instead, she kicked the ball wide to the left, missing the goal, but the goalposts collapsed anyway in accordance with the stunt plans. In addition, [[Daryl Hall]] and [[Jon Secada]] also gave musical performances.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/13/usa-94-the-best-moments-from-americas-first-world-cup |title=USA 94: the World Cup that distracted Americans from Oprah and OJ |last=Graham |first=Bryan Armen |date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=August 25, 2019 |publisher=Guardian News & Media |website=The Guardian}}</ref> It was officially opened by then-President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-06-18-9406180100-story.html|title=Chicago says welcome to the world|first=Colin McMahon and Sue Ellen|last=Christian|work=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=April 19, 2021}}</ref>
==Group stage==
''Times are [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Daylight Time]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC−4]]) (East Rutherford, Foxborough, Orlando, Pontiac and Washington), [[Central Time Zone|Central Daylight Time]] ([[UTC−05:00|UTC−5]]) (Chicago and Dallas), and [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific Daylight Time]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC−7]]) (Pasadena and Stanford).''
[[File:1994 world cup.png|thumb|upright=2.05|{{col-begin}} {{col-4}} {{legend|#2b42a3|Champion}} {{legend|#34c0be|Runner-up}} {{col-4}} {{legend|#269c5a|Third place}} {{legend|#81c846|Fourth place}} {{col-4}} {{legend|#e4e454|Quarterfinals}} {{legend|#f4d4ac|Round of 16}} {{col-4}} {{legend|#b94954|Group stage}} {{col-end}}]]

In the following tables:
*'''Pld''' = total games played
*'''W''' = total games won
*'''D''' = total games drawn (tied)
*'''L''' = total games lost
*'''GF''' = total goals scored (goals for)
*'''GA''' = total goals conceded (goals against)
*'''GD''' = goal difference (GF−GA)
*'''Pts''' = total points accumulated

===Group A===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup Group A}}

The Group A game between the United States and Switzerland was the first to take place indoors, played under the roof at the Pontiac Silverdome.

Following the tournament, Colombian defender [[Andrés Escobar]] was shot dead on his return to Colombia, possibly in retaliation, after his own goal had contributed to his country's elimination.

Victories against Colombia and the United States (in front of a crowd of 93,869) were enough to see Romania through as group winners, despite a 4–1 hammering by Switzerland in between. The magnitude of that victory allowed Switzerland to move ahead of the United States on goal difference, although the hosts qualified for the second round as one of the best third-placed teams.

Switzerland's 4–1 victory over Romania came nearly 40 years to the date of Switzerland's last World Cup victory, also a 4–1 victory, on that occasion over Italy. The United States' 2–1 victory over Colombia was its first World Cup victory since their 1–0 upset over [[United States v England (1950 FIFA World Cup)|England]] in the 1950 World Cup.
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup Group A|transcludesection=Standings}}
{{Football box
| date = June 18, 1994
| time = 11:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC-4]])
| team1 = {{fb-rt|USA}}
| score = 1–1
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3051 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|SUI}}
| goals1 = [[Eric Wynalda|Wynalda]] {{goal|45}}
| goals2 = [[Georges Bregy|Bregy]] {{goal|39}}
| stadium = [[Pontiac Silverdome]], [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]]
| attendance = 73,425
| referee = [[Francisco Oscar Lamolina]] ([[Argentine Football Association|Argentina]])
}}

{{Football box
| date = June 18, 1994
| time = 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-7]])
| team1 = {{fb-rt|COL}}
| score = 1–3
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3053 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|ROU}}
| goals1 = [[Adolfo Valencia|Valencia]] {{goal|43}}
| goals2 = [[Florin Răducioiu|Răducioiu]] {{goal|16||89}}<br />[[Gheorghe Hagi|Hagi]] {{goal|34}}
| stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
| attendance = 91,856
| referee = [[Jamal Al Sharif]] ([[Syrian Football Federation|Syria]])
}}

----

{{Football box
| date = June 22, 1994
| time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC-4]])
| team1 = {{fb-rt|ROU}}
| score = 1–4
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3062 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|SUI}}
| goals1 = [[Gheorghe Hagi|Hagi]] {{goal|35}}
| goals2 = [[Alain Sutter|Sutter]] {{goal|16}}<br />[[Stéphane Chapuisat|Chapuisat]] {{goal|52}}<br />[[Adrian Knup|Knup]] {{goal|65||72}}
| stadium = [[Pontiac Silverdome]], [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]]
| attendance = 61,428
| referee = [[Neji Jouini]] ([[Tunisian Football Federation|Tunisia]])
}}

{{Football box
| date = June 22, 1994
| time = 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-7]])
| team1 = {{fb-rt|USA}}
| score = 2–1
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3063 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|COL}}
| goals1 = [[Andrés Escobar|Escobar]] {{goal|35|o.g.}}<br />[[Earnie Stewart|Stewart]] {{goal|52}}
| goals2 = [[Adolfo Valencia|Valencia]] {{goal|90}}
| stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
| attendance = 93,869
| referee = [[Fabio Baldas]] ([[Italian Football Federation|Italy]])
}}

----

{{Football box
| date = June 26, 1994
| time = 1:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-7]])
| team1 = {{fb-rt|SUI}}
| score = 0–2
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3074 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|COL}}
| goals1 = 
| goals2 = [[Hernán Gaviria|Gaviria]] {{goal|44}}<br />[[Harold Lozano|Lozano]] {{goal|90}}
| stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]], [[Stanford, California|Stanford]]
| attendance = 83,401
| referee = [[Peter Mikkelsen (referee)|Peter Mikkelsen]] ([[Danish Football Association|Denmark]])
}}

{{Football box
| date = June 26, 1994
| time = 1:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-7]])
| team1 = {{fb-rt|USA}}
| score = 0–1
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3073 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|ROU}}
| goals1 = 
| goals2 = [[Dan Petrescu|Petrescu]] {{goal|18}}
| stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
| attendance = 93,869
| referee = [[Mario van der Ende]] ([[Royal Dutch Football Association|Netherlands]])
}}

===Group B===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup Group B}}

Group B produced two of the four semifinalists of this World Cup — Brazil and Sweden — and was also one of the two groups in which only two, rather than three, sides progressed to the second round. The match between the two eliminated teams, Cameroon and Russia, broke two World Cup records. Oleg Salenko of Russia became the first – and remains the only – man to score five goals in a single World Cup game as Russia won 6–1. The goals also ensured that Salenko finished the tournament joint-top scorer with six goals, having previously bagged one against Sweden. Cameroon left a mark too as Roger Milla, at the age of 42, became the oldest World Cup goalscorer of all time, as he grabbed his side's consolation goal in the game. The result was not enough to take Russia through following losses to Brazil and Sweden. Brazil beat Cameroon, and then confirmed the top spot with a draw to Sweden.

The Swedes also progressed, finishing in second place with five points. Sweden's 3–1 victory over Russia was the nation's first World Cup victory since July 3, 1974. Russia failed to progress to the second round for the second time (accounting for the Soviet Union's results four years before), while Cameroon failed to repeat their surprise performance from the previous tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://footballcoal.com/watch-fifa-world-cup-live-2022-online-full-tv-channels-list/|title=Watch FIFA World Cup Live Online & Full TV Channels List |publisher= footballcoal.com|date= |accessdate= 10 April 2022}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup Group B|transcludesection=Standings}}
{{football box
|date = June 19, 1994
|time = 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC–7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CMR}}
|score = 2–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3056 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|SWE}}
|goals1 = [[David Embé|Embé]] {{goal|31}}<br />[[François Omam-Biyik|Omam-Biyik]] {{goal|47}}
|goals2 = [[Roger Ljung|Ljung]] {{goal|8}}<br />[[Martin Dahlin|Dahlin]] {{goal|75}}
|stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
|attendance = 93,194
|referee = [[Alberto Tejada Noriega]] ([[Peruvian Football Federation|Peru]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 20, 1994
|time = 1:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC–7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BRA}}
|score = 2–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3057 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|RUS}}
|goals1 = [[Romário]] {{goal|26}}<br />[[Raí]] {{goal|52|pen.}}
|stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]], [[Stanford, California|Stanford]]
|attendance = 81,061
|referee = [[Lim Kee Chong]] ([[Mauritius Football Association|Mauritius]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 24, 1994
|time = 1:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC–7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BRA}}
|score = 3–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3067 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|CMR}}
|goals1 = [[Romário]] {{goal|39}}<br />[[Márcio Roberto dos Santos|Márcio Santos]] {{goal|66}}<br />[[Bebeto]] {{goal|73}}
|stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]], [[Stanford, California|Stanford]]
|attendance = 83,401
|referee = [[Arturo Brizio Carter]] ([[Mexican Football Federation|Mexico]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 24, 1994
|time = 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SWE}}
|score = 3–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3068 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|RUS}}
|goals1 = [[Tomas Brolin|Brolin]] {{goal|39|pen.}}<br />[[Martin Dahlin|Dahlin]] {{goal|60||82}}
|goals2 = [[Oleg Salenko|Salenko]] {{goal|4|pen.}}
|stadium = [[Pontiac Silverdome]], [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]]
|attendance = 71,528
|referee = [[Joël Quiniou]] ([[French Football Federation|France]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 28, 1994
|time = 1:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC–7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|RUS}}
|score = 6–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3079 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|CMR}}
|goals1 = [[Oleg Salenko|Salenko]] {{goal|15||41||44|pen.|72||75}}<br />[[Dmitri Radchenko|Radchenko]] {{goal|81}}
|goals2 = [[Roger Milla|Milla]] {{goal|46}}
|stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]], [[Stanford, California|Stanford]]
|attendance = 74,914
|referee = [[Jamal Al Sharif]] ([[Syrian Arab Federation for Football|Syria]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 28, 1994
|time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BRA}}
|score = 1–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3080 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|SWE}}
|goals1 = [[Romário]] {{goal|47}}
|goals2 = [[Kennet Andersson|K. Andersson]] {{goal|23}}
|stadium = [[Pontiac Silverdome]], [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]]
|attendance = 77,217
|referee = [[Sándor Puhl]] ([[Hungarian Football Federation|Hungary]])
}}

===Group C===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup Group C}}

As was the case with Group B, Group C would only send two teams into the Round of 16 as Spain and defending champions Germany progressed to round two. Coming from two goals down with four minutes left to snatch a 2–2 draw against Spain, the South Koreans very nearly eclipsed that feat against Germany when they came from 3–0 down to lose narrowly 3–2. In spite of these comebacks, South Korea was held to a 0–0 draw against Bolivia in their other group game when a win would have seen them through. Spain's late implosion against the South Koreans effectively decided that it would be Germany who won the group and not them.

Germany, who defeated Bolivia 1–0 in the tournament's opening game, finished with seven points. Spain had to settle for second place despite leading in all three games.

Despite Bolivia finishing last in the group, Erwin Sanchez made team history after scoring the nation's first World Cup goal in a 3–1 loss to Spain. Prior to 1994, Bolivia had never scored in either of their previous appearances at the 1930 and 1950 World Cups.
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup Group C|transcludesection=Standings}}
{{football box
| date = June 17, 1994
| time = 2:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| team1 = {{fb-rt|GER}}
| score = 1–0
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3049 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|BOL|civil}}
| goals1 = [[Jürgen Klinsmann|Klinsmann]] {{goal|61}}
| stadium = [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago]]
| attendance = 63,117
| referee = [[Arturo Brizio Carter]] ([[Mexican Football Federation|Mexico]])
}}

{{football box
| date = June 17, 1994
| time = 6:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| team1 = {{fb-rt|ESP}}
| score = 2–2
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3050 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|KOR|1984}}
| goals1 = [[Julio Salinas|Salinas]] {{goal|51}}<br />[[Jon Andoni Goikoetxea|Goikoetxea]] {{goal|55}}
| goals2 = [[Hong Myung-bo]] {{goal|85}}<br />[[Seo Jung-won]] {{goal|90}}
| stadium = [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]
| attendance = 56,247
| referee = [[Peter Mikkelsen (referee)|Peter Mikkelsen]] ([[Danish Football Association|Denmark]])
}}

----

{{football box
| date = June 21, 1994
| time = 3:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| team1 = {{fb-rt|GER}}
| score = 1–1
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3060 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|ESP}}
| goals1 = [[Jürgen Klinsmann|Klinsmann]] {{goal|48}}
| goals2 = [[Ion Andoni Goikoetxea|Goikoetxea]] {{goal|14}}
| stadium = [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago]]
| attendance = 63,113
| referee = [[Filippi Cavani]] ([[Uruguayan Football Association|Uruguay]])
}}

{{football box
| date = June 23, 1994
| time = 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| team1 = {{fb-rt|KOR|1984}}
| score = 0–0
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3065 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|BOL|civil}}
| stadium = [[Foxboro Stadium]], [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
| attendance = 54,453
| referee = [[Leslie Mottram]] ([[Scottish Football Association|Scotland]])
}}

----

{{football box
| date = June 27, 1994
| time = 3:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| team1 = {{fb-rt|BOL|civil}}
| score = 1–3
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3075 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|ESP}}
| goals1 = [[Erwin Sánchez|E. Sánchez]] {{goal|67}}
| goals2 = [[Pep Guardiola|Guardiola]] {{goal|19|pen.}}<br />[[José Luis Caminero|Caminero]] {{goal|66||70}}
| stadium = [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago]]
| attendance = 63,089
| referee = [[Rodrigo Badilla]] ([[Costa Rican Football Federation|Costa&nbsp;Rica]])
}}

{{football box
| date = June 27, 1994
| time = 3:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
| team1 = {{fb-rt|GER}}
| score = 3–2
| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3076 Report]
| team2 = {{fb|KOR|1984}}
| goals1 = [[Jürgen Klinsmann|Klinsmann]] {{goal|12||37}}<br />[[Karl-Heinz Riedle|Riedle]] {{goal|20}}
| goals2 = [[Hwang Sun-hong]] {{goal|52}}<br />[[Hong Myung-bo]] {{goal|63}}
| stadium = [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]
| attendance = 63,998
| referee = [[Joël Quiniou]] ([[French Football Federation|France]])
}}

===Group D===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup Group D}}
Tournament favorites Argentina led by Diego Maradona collected a maximum of six points from their opening two games after dominating Greece 4–0 in Foxboro with a Gabriel Batistuta hattrick before winning a close match against a formidable Nigeria with a 2–1 victory on the same field four days later; despite this Argentina finished third in the group. Nigeria had been very impressive on their World Cup debut, and despite the narrow loss to Argentina, had emerged as group winners following victories against Bulgaria and Greece, the latter in which Nigeria doubled its lead late on a goal from Daniel Amokachi – a goal that would allow Nigeria to top its group. Maradona only played with Argentina during their first two games, both in Foxborough (playing Greece and Nigeria and scoring his last ever World Cup goal against the former); he was thrown out of the tournament after testing positive for ephedrine.

Having qualified for the tournament through a last-gasp goal against France, Bulgaria surprised many people, as the nation had never even won a game at the World Cup finals prior to this tournament. Despite losing its opening game 3–0 to Nigeria, Bulgaria came back in style with a 4–0 win over neighbor Greece (who had suffered exactly the same fate five days earlier against Argentina), and a 2–0 win against Argentina saw them advance. Argentina had actually been winning the group going into injury time, while Bulgaria played the last 25 minutes with 10 men; however, a 91st-minute header from [[Nasko Sirakov]] meant that Argentina dropped two places and finished third. Nigeria won the group on goal difference. Bulgaria's victory over Argentina earned them second place.
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup Group D|transcludesection=Standings}}
{{football box
|date = June 21, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG|1861}}
|score = 4–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3059 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|GRE}}
|goals1 = [[Gabriel Batistuta|Batistuta]] {{goal|2||45||90+2|pen.}}<br />[[Diego Maradona|Maradona]] {{goal|60}}
|stadium = [[Foxboro Stadium]], [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|attendance = 54,456
|referee = [[Arturo Angeles]] ([[United States Soccer Federation|United States]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 21, 1994
|time = 6:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}
|score = 3–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3061 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
|goals1 = [[Rashidi Yekini|Yekini]] {{goal|21}}<br />[[Daniel Amokachi|Amokachi]] {{goal|43}}<br />[[Emmanuel Amunike|Amunike]] {{goal|55}}
|stadium = [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas]]
|attendance = 44,132
|referee = [[Rodrigo Badilla]] ([[Costa Rican Football Federation|Costa&nbsp;Rica]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 25, 1994
|time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG|1861}}
|score = 2–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3071 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}
|goals1 = [[Claudio Caniggia|Caniggia]] {{goal|21||28}}
|goals2 = [[Samson Siasia|Siasia]] {{goal|8}}
|stadium = [[Foxboro Stadium]], [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|attendance = 54,453
|referee = [[Bo Karlsson]] ([[Swedish Football Association|Sweden]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 26, 1994
|time = 11:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
|score = 4–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3072 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|GRE}}
|goals1 = [[Hristo Stoichkov|Stoichkov]] {{goal|5|pen.|55|pen.}}<br />[[Yordan Letchkov|Letchkov]] {{goal|65}}<br />[[Daniel Borimirov|Borimirov]] {{goal|90}}
|stadium = [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago]]
|attendance = 63,160
|referee = [[Ali Bujsaim]] ([[United Arab Emirates Football Association|United&nbsp;Arab&nbsp;Emirates]])}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 30, 1994
|time = 6:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ARG|1861}}
|score = 0–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3084 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
|goals2 = [[Hristo Stoichkov|Stoichkov]] {{goal|61}}<br />[[Nasko Sirakov|Sirakov]] {{goal|90+3}}
|stadium = [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas]]
|attendance = 63,998
|referee = [[Neji Jouini]] ([[Tunisian Football Federation|Tunisia]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 30, 1994
|time = 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|GRE}}
|score = 0–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3083 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|NGA}}
|goals2 = [[Finidi George|George]] {{goal|45+2}}<br />[[Daniel Amokachi|Amokachi]] {{goal|90+5}}
|stadium = [[Foxboro Stadium]], [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|attendance = 53,001
|referee = [[Leslie Mottram]] ([[Scottish Football Association|Scotland]])
}}

===Group E===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup Group E}}

[[File:ItalyVsNorway1994inUSA.jpg|thumb|Italy and Norway getting ready to play at Giants Stadium]]
Group E remains the only group in World Cup history in which all four teams finished with the same points. All four teams even had the same goal difference. It began at Giants Stadium where [[Ray Houghton]]'s chip ensured a shock Irish victory over the then-three-time champions Italy by 1–0, as well as gaining a measure of revenge for [[1990 FIFA World Cup|the previous World Cup]], in which Italy both hosted and eliminated Ireland at the quarterfinal stage. The next day in Washington, Norway played its first World Cup game since 1938 and [[Kjetil Rekdal]]'s goal five minutes from time proved decisive in an equally tense encounter as Norway beat Mexico.

In the second round of group play, [[Luis García (footballer, born 1969)|Luis García]]'s double had Mexico 2–0 up and in control of the game before a disagreement on the touchline resulted in fines for both Republic of Ireland's manager, [[Jack Charlton]], and their striker [[John Aldridge]]. Aldridge was able to regain concentration in time to score six minutes from the end of the game to make it 2–1. Despite their loss, Aldridge's goal proved crucial to Ireland in the final group standings.

During the previous day at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Italy's World Cup hopes seemed to be diminishing fast as goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca was sent off with the game still at 0–0. Yet despite this, Italy was still able to salvage an important 1–0 victory. Norway would ultimately pay a price for their inability to take advantage of Pagliuca's dismissal. With the four teams level on points, the final two group games would each have to finish as draws for things to stay that way. Republic of Ireland made it through after a dreary 0–0 draw with Norway; while Massaro and Bernal traded strikes as Italy and Mexico played to a 1–1 draw.

Those results meant that Mexico won the group on goals scored, with three in the group. With Ireland and Italy also progressing having finished with identical records, the Irish team qualified as second place as a result of their victory against the Italians. Norway's shortcomings in attack ultimately let them down, and they exited the tournament with only one goal.
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup Group E|transcludesection=Standings}}
{{football box
|date = June 18, 1994
|time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA|1946}}
|score = 0–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3052 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|IRL}}
|goals2 = [[Ray Houghton|Houghton]] {{goal|11}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 75,338
|referee = [[Mario van der Ende]] ([[Royal Dutch Football Association|Netherlands]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 19, 1994
|time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|NOR}}
|score = 1–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3055 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|MEX}}
|goals1 = [[Kjetil Rekdal|Rekdal]] {{goal|84}}
|stadium = [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]
|attendance = 52,395
|referee = [[Sándor Puhl]] ([[Hungarian Football Federation|Hungary]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 23, 1994
|time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA|1946}}
|score = 1–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3064 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|NOR}}
|goals1 = [[Dino Baggio|D. Baggio]] {{goal|69}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 74,624
|referee = [[Hellmut Krug]] ([[German Football Association|Germany]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 24, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|MEX}}
|score = 2–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3066 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|IRL}}
|goals1 = [[Luis García Postigo|García]] {{goal|42||65}}
|goals2 = [[John Aldridge|Aldridge]] {{goal|84}}
|stadium = [[Citrus Bowl (stadium)|Citrus Bowl]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
|attendance = 60,790
|referee = [[Kurt Röthlisberger]] ([[Swiss Football Association|Switzerland]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 28, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA|1946}}
|score = 1–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3078 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|MEX}}
|goals1 = [[Daniele Massaro|Massaro]] {{goal|48}}
|goals2 = [[Marcelino Bernal|Bernal]] {{goal|57}}
|stadium = [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]
|attendance = 52,535
|referee = [[Francisco Oscar Lamolina]] ([[Argentine Football Association|Argentina]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 28, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|IRL}}
|score = 0–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3077 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|NOR}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 72,404
|referee = [[José Torres Cadena]] ([[Colombian Football Federation|Colombia]])
}}

===Group F===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup Group F}}

Just as happened to Argentina in Group D, Belgium endured the same fate in Group F. Despite winning both of its first two matches 1–0 against Morocco and neighbors Netherlands, Belgium finished third as, in an upset, it lost to tournament newcomers Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the third game. During that game, Saudi player Saaed Al-Owairan ran from his own half through a maze of Belgian players to score the game's only goal.

Saudi Arabia advanced through to the Round of 16 as well, having also defeated Morocco 2–1. The Netherlands endured a somewhat nervier experience. The opening 2–1 victory against Saudi Arabia was followed by the 1–0 loss against Belgium before another 2–1 victory against Morocco, with Bryan Roy scoring the winner a mere 12 minutes from time, saw the Dutch win the group having scored more goals than Belgium and beaten Saudi Arabia. Morocco, despite losing all three of their group games, did not leave without a fight, as each of their losses were by just a single goal, 1–0 to Belgium, 2–1 to Saudi Arabia, and 2–1 to the Netherlands.
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup Group F|transcludesection=Standings}}
{{football box
|date = June 19, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEL}}
|score = 1–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3054 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|MAR}}
|goals1 = [[Marc Degryse|Degryse]] {{goal|11}}
|stadium = [[Citrus Bowl (stadium)|Citrus Bowl]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
|attendance = 61,219
|referee = [[José Torres Cadena]] ([[Colombian Football Federation|Colombia]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 20, 1994
|time = 7:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|NED}}
|score = 2–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3058 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|KSA}}
|goals1 = [[Wim Jonk|Jonk]] {{goal|50}}<br />[[Gaston Taument|Taument]] {{goal|86}}
|goals2 = [[Fuad Anwar|Anwar]] {{goal|18}}
|stadium = [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]
|attendance = 50,535
|referee = [[Manuel Díaz Vega]] ([[Royal Spanish Football Federation|Spain]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 25, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEL}}
|score = 1–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3069 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|NED}}
|goals1 = [[Philippe Albert|Albert]] {{goal|65}}
|stadium = [[Citrus Bowl (stadium)|Citrus Bowl]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
|attendance = 62,387
|referee = [[Renato Marsiglia]] ([[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazil]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 25, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|KSA}}
|score = 2–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3070 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|MAR}}
|goals1 = [[Sami Al-Jaber|Al-Jaber]] {{goal|7|pen.}}<br />[[Fuad Anwar|Anwar]] {{goal|45}}
|goals2 = [[Mohammed Chaouch|Chaouch]] {{goal|26}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford, New Jersey|East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 76,322
|referee = [[Philip Don]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
}}

----

{{football box
|date = June 29, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BEL}}
|score = 0–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3082 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|KSA}}
|goals2 = [[Saeed Al-Owairan|Al-Owairan]] {{goal|5}}
|stadium = [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]
|attendance = 52,959
|referee = [[Hellmut Krug]] ([[German Football Association|Germany]])
}}

{{football box
|date = June 29, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|team1 = {{fb-rt|MAR}}
|score = 1–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3081 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|NED}}
|goals1 = [[Hassan Nader|Nader]] {{goal|47}}
|goals2 = [[Dennis Bergkamp|Bergkamp]] {{goal|43}}<br />[[Bryan Roy|Roy]] {{goal|77}}
|stadium = [[Citrus Bowl (stadium)|Citrus Bowl]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
|attendance = 60,578
|referee = [[Alberto Tejada Noriega]] ([[Peruvian Football Federation|Peru]])
}}

===Ranking of third-placed teams===
<onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
|teamwidth=180
|update=complete
|source=[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/usa1994/groups/index.html FIFA]

|team1=GrD |team2=GrF |team3=GrA |team4=GrE |team5=GrB |team6=GrC
|result1=KO |result2=KO |result3=KO |result4=KO

|win_GrA=1 |draw_GrA=1 |loss_GrA=1 |gf_GrA=3 |ga_GrA=3
|win_GrB=1 |draw_GrB=0 |loss_GrB=2 |gf_GrB=7 |ga_GrB=6
|win_GrC=0 |draw_GrC=2 |loss_GrC=1 |gf_GrC=4 |ga_GrC=5
|win_GrD=2 |draw_GrD=0 |loss_GrD=1 |gf_GrD=6 |ga_GrD=3
|win_GrE=1 |draw_GrE=1 |loss_GrE=1 |gf_GrE=2 |ga_GrE=2
|win_GrF=2 |draw_GrF=0 |loss_GrF=1 |gf_GrF=2 |ga_GrF=1

|name_GrA={{fb|USA}}
|name_GrB={{fb|RUS}}
|name_GrC={{fb|KOR|1984}}
|name_GrD={{fb|ARG|1861}}
|name_GrE={{fb|ITA|1946}}
|name_GrF={{fb|BEL}}

|show_groups=T
|group_GrA=[[1994 FIFA World Cup Group A|A]]
|group_GrB=[[1994 FIFA World Cup Group B|B]]
|group_GrC=[[1994 FIFA World Cup Group C|C]]
|group_GrD=[[1994 FIFA World Cup Group D|D]]
|group_GrE=[[1994 FIFA World Cup Group E|E]]
|group_GrF=[[1994 FIFA World Cup Group F|F]]
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to {{nowrap|[[1994 FIFA World Cup#Knockout stage|knockout stage]]}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Knockout stage==
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage}}

===Bracket===
{{:1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|transcludesection=Bracket}}

===Round of 16===
{{football box
|date = July 2, 1994
|time = 12:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00|UTC–5]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|GER}}
|score = 3–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3085 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BEL}}
|goals1 = [[Rudi Völler|Völler]] {{goal|6||38}}<br />[[Jürgen Klinsmann|Klinsmann]] {{goal|11}}
|goals2 = [[Georges Grün|Grün]] {{goal|8}}<br />[[Philippe Albert|Albert]] {{goal|90}}
|stadium = [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago]]
|attendance = 60,246
|referee = [[Kurt Röthlisberger]] ([[Swiss Football Association|Switzerland]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 2, 1994
|time = 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ESP}}
|score = 3–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3086 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|SUI}}
|goals1 = [[Fernando Hierro|Hierro]] {{goal|15}}<br />[[Luis Enrique (footballer)|Luis Enrique]] {{goal|74}}<br />[[Txiki Begiristain|Begiristain]] {{goal|86|pen.}}
|goals2 = 
|stadium = [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], [[Washington, D.C.]]
|attendance = 53,121
|referee = [[Mario van der Ende]] ([[Royal Dutch Football Association|Netherlands]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 3, 1994
|time = 12:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00|UTC–5]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|KSA}}
|score = 1–3
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3087 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|SWE}}
|goals1 = [[Fahad Al-Ghesheyan|Al-Ghesheyan]] {{goal|85}}
|goals2 = [[Martin Dahlin|Dahlin]] {{goal|6}}<br />[[Kennet Andersson|K. Andersson]] {{goal|51||88}}
|stadium = [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]
|attendance = 60,277
|referee = [[Renato Marsiglia]] ([[Brazilian Football Confederation|Brazil]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 3, 1994
|time = 1:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC–7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ROU}}
|score = 3–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3088 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|ARG|1861}}
|goals1 = [[Ilie Dumitrescu|Dumitrescu]] {{goal|11||18}}<br />[[Gheorghe Hagi|Hagi]] {{goal|58}}
|goals2 = [[Gabriel Batistuta|Batistuta]] {{goal|16|pen.}}<br />[[Abel Balbo|Balbo]] {{goal|75}}
|stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
|attendance = 90,469
|referee = [[Pierluigi Pairetto]] ([[Italian Football Federation|Italy]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 4, 1994
|time = 12:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|NED}}
|score = 2–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3089 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|IRL}}
|goals1 = [[Dennis Bergkamp|Bergkamp]] {{goal|11}}<br />[[Wim Jonk|Jonk]] {{goal|41}}
|goals2 = 
|stadium = [[Camping World Stadium|Citrus Bowl]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
|attendance = 61,355
|referee = [[Peter Mikkelsen (referee)|Peter Mikkelsen]] ([[Danish Football Association|Denmark]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 4, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC−07:00|UTC–7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BRA}}
|score = 1–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3090 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|USA}}
|goals1 = [[Bebeto]] {{goal|72}}
|goals2 = 
|stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]], [[Stanford, California|Stanford]]
|attendance = 84,147
|referee = [[Joël Quiniou]] ([[French Football Federation|France]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 5, 1994
|time = 1:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|NGA}}
|score = 1–2
|aet = yes
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3091 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|ITA|1946}}
|goals1 = [[Emmanuel Amunike|Amunike]] {{goal|25}}
|goals2 = [[Roberto Baggio|R. Baggio]] {{goal|88||102|pen.}}
|stadium = [[Foxboro Stadium]], [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|attendance = 54,367
|referee = [[Arturo Brizio Carter]] ([[Mexican Football Federation|Mexico]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 5, 1994
|time = 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|MEX}}
|score = 1–1
|aet = yes
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3092 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
|goals1 = [[Alberto García Aspe|García Aspe]] {{goal|18|pen.}}
|goals2 = [[Hristo Stoichkov|Stoichkov]] {{goal|6}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 71,030
|referee = [[Jamal Al Sharif]] ([[Syrian Arab Federation for Football|Syria]])
|penalties1 = [[Alberto García Aspe|García Aspe]] {{penmiss}}<br />[[Marcelino Bernal|Bernal]] {{penmiss}}<br />[[Jorge Rodríguez (footballer, born 1968)|Rodríguez]] {{penmiss}}<br />[[Claudio Suárez|Suárez]] {{pengoal}}
|penaltyscore = 1–3
|penalties2 = {{penmiss}} [[Krasimir Balakov|Balakov]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Boncho Genchev|Genchev]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Daniel Borimirov|Borimirov]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Yordan Letchkov|Letchkov]]
}}

===Quarterfinals===
{{football box
|date = July 9, 1994
|time = 12:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA|1946}}
|score = 2–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3097 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|ESP}}
|goals1 = [[Dino Baggio|D. Baggio]] {{goal|25}}<br />[[Roberto Baggio|R. Baggio]] {{goal|88}}
|goals2 = [[José Luis Caminero|Caminero]] {{goal|58}}
|stadium = [[Foxboro Stadium]], [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]]
|attendance = 53,400
|referee = [[Sándor Puhl]] ([[Hungarian Football Federation|Hungary]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 9, 1994
|time = 2:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00|UTC–5]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|NED}}
|score = 2–3
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3098 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BRA}}
|goals1 = [[Dennis Bergkamp|Bergkamp]] {{goal|64}}<br />[[Aron Winter|Winter]] {{goal|76}}
|goals2 = [[Romário]] {{goal|53}}<br />[[Bebeto]] {{goal|63}}<br />[[Branco (footballer)|Branco]] {{goal|81}}
|stadium = [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]], [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]
|attendance = 63,500
|referee = [[Rodrigo Badilla]] ([[Costa Rican Football Federation|Costa Rica]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 10, 1994
|time = 12:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
|score = 2–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3096 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|GER}}
|goals1 = [[Hristo Stoichkov|Stoichkov]] {{goal|75}}<br />[[Yordan Letchkov|Letchkov]] {{goal|78}}
|goals2 = [[Lothar Matthäus|Matthäus]] {{goal|47|pen.}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 72,000
|referee = [[José Torres Cadena]] ([[Colombian Football Federation|Colombia]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 10, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-07:00|UTC-7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ROU}}
|score = 2–2
|aet = yes
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3095 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|SWE}}
|goals1 = [[Florin Răducioiu|Răducioiu]] {{goal|88||101}}
|goals2 = [[Tomas Brolin|Brolin]] {{goal|78}}<br />[[Kennet Andersson|K. Andersson]] {{goal|115}}
|stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]], [[Stanford, California|Stanford]]
|attendance = 83,500
|referee = [[Philip Don]] ([[The Football Association|England]])
|penalties1 = [[Florin Răducioiu|Răducioiu]] {{pengoal}}<br />[[Gheorghe Hagi|Hagi]] {{pengoal}}<br />[[Ioan Lupescu|Lupescu]] {{pengoal}}<br />[[Dan Petrescu|Petrescu]] {{penmiss}}<br />[[Ilie Dumitrescu|Dumitrescu]] {{pengoal}}<br />[[Miodrag Belodedici|Belodedici]] {{penmiss}}
|penaltyscore = 4–5
|penalties2 = {{penmiss}} [[Håkan Mild|Mild]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Kennet Andersson|K. Andersson]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Tomas Brolin|Brolin]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Klas Ingesson|Ingesson]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Roland Nilsson|R. Nilsson]]<br />{{pengoal}} [[Henrik Larsson|Larsson]]
}}

===Semifinals===
{{football box
|date = July 13, 1994
|time = 4:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] ([[UTC−04:00|UTC–4]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
|score = 1–2
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3100 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|ITA|1946}}
|goals1 = [[Hristo Stoichkov|Stoichkov]] {{goal|44|pen.}}
|goals2 = [[Roberto Baggio|R. Baggio]] {{goal|21||25}}
|stadium = [[Giants Stadium]], [[East Rutherford]]
|attendance = 74,110
|referee = [[Joël Quiniou]] ([[French Football Federation|France]])
}}
----
{{football box
|date = July 13, 1994
|time = 4:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-07:00|UTC-7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SWE}}
|score = 0–1
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3099 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BRA}}
|goals1 = 
|goals2 = [[Romário]] {{goal|80}}
|stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
|attendance = 91,856
|referee = [[José Torres Cadena]] ([[Colombian Football Federation|Colombia]])
}}

===Third place playoff===
{{football box
|date = July 16, 1994
|time = 12:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] ([[UTC-07:00|UTC-7]])
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SWE}}
|score = 4–0
|report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/84/337/3103 Report]
|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
|goals1 = [[Tomas Brolin|Brolin]] {{goal|8}}<br />[[Håkan Mild|Mild]] {{goal|30}}<br />[[Henrik Larsson|Larsson]] {{goal|37}}<br />[[Kennet Andersson|K. Andersson]] {{goal|39}}
|goals2 = 
|stadium = [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]], [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]
|attendance = 91,500
|referee = [[Ali Bujsaim]] ([[United Arab Emirates Football Association|United Arab Emirates]])
}}

===Final===
{{main|1994 FIFA World Cup final}}
{{#lst:1994 FIFA World Cup final|Final}}

==Statistics==

===Goalscorers===

[[Hristo Stoichkov]] and [[Oleg Salenko]] received the [[FIFA World Cup Golden Boot|Golden Boot]] for scoring six goals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/usa1994/index.html#div-gpt-ad-c64485b1-ad49-41cb-9497-52fc3361b989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204134632/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/usa1994/index.html#div-gpt-ad-c64485b1-ad49-41cb-9497-52fc3361b989 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |title=1994 FIFA World Cup USA: Awards |website=[[FIFA]] |access-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> In total, 141 goals were scored by 81 players, with only one of them credited as an own goal.

'''6 goals'''
* {{fbicon|BUL}} [[Hristo Stoichkov]]
* {{fbicon|RUS}} [[Oleg Salenko]]
'''5 goals'''
* {{fbicon|BRA}} [[Romário]]
* {{fbicon|ITA|1946}} [[Roberto Baggio]]
* {{fbicon|GER}} [[Jürgen Klinsmann]]
* {{fbicon|SWE}} [[Kennet Andersson]]
'''4 goals'''
* {{fbicon|ARG|1861}} [[Gabriel Batistuta]]
* {{fbicon|ROU}} [[Florin Răducioiu]]
* {{fbicon|SWE}} [[Martin Dahlin]]
'''3 goals'''
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{fbicon|BRA}} [[Bebeto]]
* {{fbicon|NED}} [[Dennis Bergkamp]]
* {{fbicon|ROU}} [[Gheorghe Hagi]]
* {{fbicon|ESP}} [[José Luis Caminero]]
* {{fbicon|SWE}} [[Tomas Brolin]]
{{div col end}}

'''2 goals'''
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{fbicon|ARG|1861}} [[Claudio Caniggia]]
* {{fbicon|BEL}} [[Philippe Albert]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Yordan Letchkov]]
* {{flagicon|COL}} [[Adolfo Valencia]]
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Rudi Völler]]
* {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Dino Baggio]]
* {{flagicon|KOR|1984}} [[Hong Myung-bo]]
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Luis García (footballer, born 1969)|Luis García]]
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Wim Jonk]]
* {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Daniel Amokachi]]
* {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Emmanuel Amunike]]
* {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Ilie Dumitrescu]]
* {{flagicon|KSA}} [[Fuad Anwar]]
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Jon Andoni Goikoetxea]]
* {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Adrian Knup]]
{{div col end}}

'''1 goal'''
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|ARG|1861}} [[Abel Balbo]]
* {{flagicon|ARG|1861}} [[Diego Maradona]]
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Marc Degryse]]
* {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Georges Grün]]
* {{flagicon|BOL|civil}} [[Erwin Sánchez]]
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Branco (footballer)|Branco]]
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Márcio Roberto dos Santos|Márcio Santos]]
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Raí]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Daniel Borimirov]]
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Nasko Sirakov]]
* {{flagicon|CMR}} [[David Embé]]
* {{flagicon|CMR}} [[Roger Milla]]
* {{flagicon|CMR}} [[François Omam-Biyik]]
* {{flagicon|COL}} [[Hermán Gaviria]]
* {{flagicon|COL}} [[John Harold Lozano]]
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Lothar Matthäus]]
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Karl-Heinz Riedle]]
* {{flagicon|IRL}} [[John Aldridge]]
* {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Ray Houghton]]
* {{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Daniele Massaro]]
* {{flagicon|KOR|1984}} [[Hwang Sun-hong]]
* {{flagicon|KOR|1984}} [[Seo Jung-won]]
* {{flagicon|MAR}} [[Mohammed Chaouch]]
* {{flagicon|MAR}} [[Hassan Nader]]
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Marcelino Bernal]]
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Alberto García Aspe]]
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Bryan Roy]]
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Gaston Taument]]
* {{flagicon|NED}} [[Aron Winter]]
* {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Finidi George]]
* {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Samson Siasia]]
* {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Rashidi Yekini]]
* {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Kjetil Rekdal]]
* {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Dan Petrescu]]
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Dmitri Radchenko]]
* {{flagicon|KSA}} [[Fahad Al-Ghesheyan]]
* {{flagicon|KSA}} [[Sami Al-Jaber]]
* {{flagicon|KSA}} [[Saeed Al-Owairan]]
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Txiki Begiristain]]
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Pep Guardiola]]
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Fernando Hierro]]
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Luis Enrique (footballer)|Luis Enrique]]
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Julio Salinas]]
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Henrik Larsson]]
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Roger Ljung]]
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Håkan Mild]]
* {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Georges Bregy]]
* {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Stéphane Chapuisat]]
* {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Alain Sutter]]
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Earnie Stewart]]
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eric Wynalda]]
{{div col end}}

'''Own goals'''
* {{flagicon|COL}} [[Andrés Escobar]] (against the United States)

===Awards===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto;text-align:center"
|-
![[Adidas Golden Shoe|Golden Shoe]]
![[Golden Ball (FIFA)|Golden Ball]]
![[Yashin Award]]
![[FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award|Best Young Player]]
![[FIFA World Cup Fair Play Trophy|FIFA Fair Play Trophy]]
![[FIFA World Cup awards#Most Entertaining Team|Most Entertaining Team]]
|-
|{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Hristo Stoichkov]]<br />{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Oleg Salenko]]
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Romário]]
|{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Michel Preud'homme]]
|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Marc Overmars]]
|{{fb|BRA}}
|{{fb|BRA}}
|}

===All-star team===
The All-star team is a squad consisting of the eleven most impressive players at the 1994 World Cup, as selected by FIFA's Technical Study Group.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto"
|-
!Goalkeeper
!Defenders
!Midfielders
!Forwards
|-
|valign=top|
{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Michel Preud'homme]]
|valign=top|
{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Jorginho (footballer, born 1964)|Jorginho]]<br />
{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Márcio Roberto dos Santos|Márcio Santos]]<br />
{{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Paolo Maldini]]
|valign=top|
{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Dunga]]<br />
{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Krasimir Balakov]]<br />
{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Gheorghe Hagi]]<br />
{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Tomas Brolin]]
|valign=top|
{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Romário]]<br />
{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Hristo Stoichkov]]<br />
{{flagicon|ITA|1946}} [[Roberto Baggio]]
|}

===Final standings===
After the tournament, FIFA published a ranking of all teams that competed in the 1994 World Cup finals based on progress in the competition, overall results and quality of the opposition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/01/18/03/18/fs-201_08a_fwc-alltimeranking.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617060343/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/01/18/03/18/fs-201_08a_fwc-alltimeranking.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 17, 2012 |title=All-time FIFA World Cup Ranking 1930–2010 |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |access-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center"
|-
!width=25| {{abbr|R|Final rankings}}
!width=165| Team
!width=25| {{abbr|G|Group}}
!width=25| {{abbr|P|Played}}
!width=25| {{abbr|W|Win}}
!width=25| {{abbr|D|Draw}}
!width=25| {{abbr|L|Lose}}
!width=25| {{abbr|GF|Goals for}}
!width=25| {{abbr|GA|Goals against}}
!width=25| {{abbr|GD|Goal difference}}
!width=25| {{abbr|Pts.|Points}}
|- style="background:gold"
| 1 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|BRA}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group B|B]] || 7 || 5 || 2 || 0 || 11 || 3 || +8 || 17
|- style="background:silver"
| 2 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|ITA|1946}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group E|E]] || 7 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 8 || 5 || +3 || 14
|- style="background:#c96"
| 3 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|SWE}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group B|B]] || 7 || 3 || 3 || 1 || 15 || 8 || +7 || 12
|- style="background:gray"
| 4 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|BUL}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group D|D]] || 7 || 3 || 1 || 3 || 10 || 11 || −1 || 10
|-
|colspan="11"| '''Eliminated in the quarterfinals'''
|-
| 5 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|GER}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group C|C]] || 5 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 9 || 7 || +2 || 10
|-
| 6 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|ROU}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group A|A]] || 5 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 10 || 9 || +1 || 10
|-
| 7 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|NED}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group F|F]] || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2 || 8 || 6 || +2 || 9
|-
| 8 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|ESP}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group C|C]] || 5 || 2 || 2 || 1 || 10 || 6 || +4 || 8
|-
|colspan="11"| '''Eliminated in the round of 16'''
|-
| 9 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|NGA}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group D|D]] || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 7 || 4 || +3 || 6
|-
| 10 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|ARG|1861}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group D|D]] || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 8 || 6 || +2 || 6
|-
| 11 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|BEL}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group F|F]] || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 6
|-
| 12 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|KSA}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group F|F]] || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 5 || 6 || −1 || 6
|-
| 13 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|MEX}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group E|E]] || 4 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 5
|-
| 14 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|USA}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group A|A]] || 4 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || −1 || 4
|-
| 15 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|SUI}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group A|A]] || 4 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 5 || 7 || −2 || 4
|-
| 16 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|IRL}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group E|E]] || 4 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 4 || −2 || 4
|-
|colspan="11"| '''Eliminated in the group stage'''
|-
| 17 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|NOR}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group E|E]] || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 4
|-
| 18 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|RUS}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group B|B]] || 3 || 1 || 0 || 2 || 7 || 6 || +1 || 3
|-
| 19 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|COL}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group A|A]] || 3 || 1 || 0 || 2 || 4 || 5 || −1 || 3
|-
| 20 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|KOR|1984}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group C|C]] || 3 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 4 || 5 || −1 || 2
|-
| 21 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|BOL|civil}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group C|C]] || 3 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 4 || −3 || 1
|-
| 22 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|CMR}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group B|B]] || 3 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 11 || −8 || 1
|-
| 23 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|MAR}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group F|F]] || 3 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 2 || 5 || −3 || 0
|-
| 24 ||style="text-align:left"| {{fb|GRE}} || [[1994 FIFA World Cup Group D|D]] || 3 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 10 || −10 || 0
|}

===Disciplinary statistics===
*Total number of yellow cards: '''235'''
*Average yellow cards per game: '''4.52'''
*Total number of red cards: '''15'''
*Average red cards per match: '''0.29'''
*First yellow card of the tournament: [[Jürgen Kohler]] – [[Germany national football team|Germany]] against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]]
*First red card of the tournament: [[Marco Etcheverry]] – [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] against [[Germany national football team|Germany]]
*Fastest yellow card from kick off: '''1 minute''' – [[Sergei Gorlukovich]] – [[Russia national football team|Russia]] against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]
*Fastest yellow card after coming on as substitute: '''2 minutes''' – [[Daniel Borimirov]] – [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]] against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] (introduced in the 82nd minute)
*Latest yellow card in a game without extra time: '''90 minutes''' – [[José Luis Caminero]] – [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]], [[Yuri Nikiforov]] – [[Russia national football team|Russia]] against [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]], [[Mohamed Al-Deayea]] – [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] against [[Morocco national football team|Morocco]]
*Latest yellow card in a game with extra time: '''108 minutes''' – [[Basarab Panduru]] – [[Romania national football team|Romania]] against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]
*Fastest dismissal from kick off: '''21 minutes''' – [[Gianluca Pagliuca]] – [[Italy national football team|Italy]] against [[Norway national football team|Norway]]
*Fastest dismissal of a substitute: '''3 minutes''' – [[Ion Vlădoiu]] – [[Romania national football team|Romania]] against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] (introduced in the 80th minute)
*Latest dismissal in a game without extra time: '''89 minutes''' – [[Gustavo Quinteros]] – [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] against [[Germany national football team|Germany]]
*Latest dismissal in a game with extra time: '''101 minutes''' – [[Stefan Schwarz]] – [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] against [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
*Least time difference between two yellow cards given to the same player: '''21 minutes''' – [[Fernando Clavijo]] – [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] (booked in the 64th minute and again in the 85th minute)
*Most yellow cards (team): '''23''' – [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]]
*Most red cards (team): '''2''' – [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]], [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]], [[Italy national football team|Italy]], [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]
*Fewest yellow cards (team): '''5''' – [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
*Most yellow cards (player): '''4''' – [[Zlatko Yankov]]
*Most red cards (player): '''1''' – [[Fernando Clavijo]], [[Luis Cristaldo]], [[Marco Etcheverry]], [[Luis García Postigo|Luis García]], [[Sergei Gorlukovich]], [[Emil Kremenliev]], [[Leonardo Araújo|Leonardo]], [[Miguel Ángel Nadal]], [[Gianluca Pagliuca]], [[Stefan Schwarz]], [[Rigobert Song]], [[Jonas Thern]], [[Tsanko Tsvetanov]], [[Ion Vlădoiu]], [[Gianfranco Zola]]
*Most yellow cards (match): '''10''' – [[1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Mexico vs Bulgaria|Mexico vs Bulgaria]]
*Most red cards (match): '''2''' – [[1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Mexico vs Bulgaria|Mexico vs Bulgaria]]
*Fewest yellow cards (match): '''1''' – [[1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Netherlands vs Republic of Ireland|Netherlands vs Republic of Ireland]]
*Most cards in one match: '''10 yellow cards and 2 red cards''' – [[1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Mexico vs Bulgaria|Mexico vs Bulgaria]]

==Marketing==
===Sponsorship===
[[File:美國8oz('94-世足-美國) (4771184933).jpg|thumb|[[Coca-Cola]] was one of the [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsors]] of FIFA World Cup 1994.]]
The sponsors of the 1994 FIFA World Cup are divided into two categories: [[FIFA World Cup]] Sponsors and [[United States men's national soccer team|USA]] Supporters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! [[FIFA World Cup]] sponsors !! [[United States men's national soccer team|USA]] Supporters
|-
|
* [[Adidas]]
* [[Budweiser]]
* [[Canon Inc.|Canon]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[Fujifilm]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[General Motors]] ([[Opel]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[Gillette (brand)|Gillette]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[JVC]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[MasterCard]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[McDonald's]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[Philips]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
* [[Snickers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official FIFA World Cup™ Partners & Sponsors since 1982 |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fs-401_01_fwc-partners.pdf |access-date=2014-01-01 |website=www.whatahowler.com}}</ref>
||
* [[American Airlines]]
* [[Chevrolet]]
* [[Electronic Data Systems|EDS]]
* [[Energizer]]
* [[GMC (automobile)|GMC]]
* [[ITT Inc.]]
* [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]]
* [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts]]
* [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint]]
* [[Sun Microsystems]]
* [[Upper Deck Company]]
|}

==Symbols==
===Mascot===
[[File:Usa94mascot.png|thumb|upright=0.5|right|Striker, the official [[FIFA World Cup mascot|mascot]] of the tournament.]]
The [[List of FIFA World Cup official mascots|official mascot]] of this World Cup was "Striker, the World Cup Pup", a dog wearing a [[Flag of the United States|red, white and blue]] soccer uniform with a ball.<ref>{{cite web |first=Wojciech |last=Dzierzbicki |url=http://www.worldcup.isn.pl/en/cups/1994.htm |title=XV FIFA World Cup (USA '94) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020523112139/http://www.worldcup.isn.pl/en/cups/1994.htm |archivedate=May 23, 2002 |work=World Cup History Page }}</ref> Striker was designed by the [[Warner Bros.]] animation team.<ref name="ehistory.osu.edu">{{cite web |url=http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/origins/download/Origins%20-%20Summer%201994%20-%20Football.pdf |title=Funny... It Doesn't Look Like Football |access-date=March 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629054446/http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/origins/download/Origins%20-%20Summer%201994%20-%20Football.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A dog was picked as the mascot because dogs are a popular domestic pet in the United States.<ref name="ehistory.osu.edu" />

===Match ball===
{{Main article|Adidas Questra}}
The [[List of FIFA World Cup official match balls|official match ball]] was "[[Adidas Questra|Questra]]", manufactured by [[Adidas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/photos/galleries/y=2009/m=12/gallery=official-match-balls-the-fifa-world-cuptm-1143505.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003074950/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/photos/galleries/y=2009/m=12/gallery=official-match-balls-the-fifa-world-cuptm-1143505.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-10-03|title=Official match balls of the FIFA World Cup |date=October 3, 2015}}</ref> Following the convention of the addition of decorations to the established [[Adidas Tango]] style since the [[Adidas Azteca|Azteca]] and the [[Adidas Etrusco Unico|Etrusco Unico]], this one featured space-themed decorations, not only due to its name, but that 1994 marked the 25th anniversary of the [[Apollo 11|Apollo 11 mission]] in which the first Moon landing took place, which is considered to be one of the most important moments in the history of the host country and the world.

===Music===
{{Main article|Gloryland World Cup USA 94}}
The [[List of FIFA World Cup songs and anthems|official song]] was "[[Gloryland (FIFA World Cup)|Gloryland]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/2018russia/media-releases/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.com2018-fifa-world-cup-russiatm-official-song-live-it-up-to-be-performed-by-all-sta|title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Official Song 'Live It Up' to be performed by all-star line-up|website=www.fifa.com}}</ref>

==Aftermath and legacy==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2020}}
{{Main|Score bug}}
[[File:WorldCup1994GiantsStadiumQF.jpg|thumb|The large capacity stadiums enabled huge crowds to attend the games, such as this one at the [[Giants Stadium]] quarterfinal game.]]
* Although USA '94 marked the seventh time FIFA hosted the World Cup in the Americas (after being held in [[1930 FIFA World Cup|Uruguay]], [[1950 FIFA World Cup|Brazil]], [[1962 FIFA World Cup|Chile]], [[1978 FIFA World Cup|Argentina]], and twice by Mexico in [[1970 FIFA World Cup|1970]] and [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]), the United States became the first host in the Americas outside of the Latin American spectrum, and the first in the Anglosphere outside of England.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
* The game between the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] and [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] at the [[Pontiac Silverdome]] on June 18 was the first to be played indoors in World Cup history: grass was grown by [[Michigan State University]] and was the first time since 1965 (the failed attempt at the [[Astrodome]]) that natural turf was used in an indoor stadium in the United States. To date, only [[Sapporo Dome]] in 2002 and [[Arena AufSchalke]] in 2006 have subsequently hosted indoor games in World Cup history.
* For the first time, the FIFA Anthem, composed by Franz Lambert, was played during the players' entrance onto the field.
* The finals were the first time FIFA decided to experiment with the style of jerseys worn by officials, forgoing the traditional black. Officials could choose between burgundy, yellow, or silver shirts depending on what was necessary to avoid a clash of colors between the two competing teams. This custom has since been followed, but black shirts were added as an option later.
* The finals were also the first time that players had their shirt numbers printed on the center front (or on the right or left breast, in Morocco's and Russia's case, respectively) of the shirt, as well as their names printed on the back of their jerseys in a World Cup, just as other American sports did, to make their identification easier for sportscasters. This custom followed from [[UEFA Euro 1992|Euro 92]] and has continued ever since (although numbers printed on the center front had been experimented with during the [[1991 FIFA World Youth Championship|1991 FIFA U-20 World Cup]] held in Portugal).
* The finals were the first to award [[Three points for a win|3 points for a win]] in the group stage to motivate teams to play an attacking style.
* In disciplinary matters, for the first time [[Misconduct (football)|yellow cards]] accumulated in the group stage were wiped clean after its completion, and players started with a clean slate at the start of the knockout stage. Previously, players were suspended for one game if they accumulated two yellow cards throughout the tournament. Now, players were suspended for one game after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage or two yellow cards in the knockout stage. This was in response to the situation in 1990, where players such as [[Claudio Caniggia]] and [[Paul Gascoigne]] were suspended for the later games.
* The 1994 World Cup expanded television coverage of sports in the United States and worldwide through the sponsored scoreboard and game clock constantly shown on screen throughout the game. Being fully privately funded, television sports coverage in the United States had long relied upon commercial breaks, a feature suitable for sports such as [[baseball]], [[basketball]], [[ice hockey]], and [[American football]] (which all have breaks in the action), but long considered incompatible with soccer, due to the long stretches of uninterrupted play. Led by [[NFL on Fox|Fox Sports]], which debuted its NFL coverage about a month following the completion of the World Cup, virtually every television network included their version of the scoreboard clock by the decade's end.{{or|date=March 2025}}
* This was the last World Cup in which games other than the last two in each group were played simultaneously. However, this only happened once in this tournament: Saudi Arabia vs. Morocco and Belgium vs. Netherlands in Group F. From [[1998 FIFA World Cup|France '98]] onwards, each game in the first two rounds of group play and the whole knockout stage have been played separately to maximize television audiences.
* This was the last World Cup featuring 24 nations, and the up to the 2022 tournament, the last in which third-placed teams progressed to the round of 16. From 1998 to 2022, 32 nations competed, with only the top two in each group progressing. With 48 nations competing starting in [[2026 FIFA World Cup|2026]] onwards, the best eight third-placed teams across 12 groups advance to a round of 32.

===Statistical records===
* The 1994 World Cup final was the first (and to date only) goalless final in World Cup history. It was also the first to be decided by a penalty shootout, followed by the [[2006 FIFA World Cup Final|2006]] and [[2022 FIFA World Cup Final|2022]] finals.
* [[Oleg Salenko]] of [[Russia national football team|Russia]] became the first player to score five goals in a single World Cup finals game in his country's group stage win over [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]. Cameroon's [[Roger Milla]] also scored a goal in the same game, becoming the oldest player to score a goal in a World Cup. At 42, he was also the oldest player to appear in a World Cup, a record held until 2014, when [[Faryd Mondragón]] (43 years, 3 days) of [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] broke the record in their game against [[Japan national football team|Japan]] at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]. In turn, goalkeeper [[Essam El Hadary]] (45 years, 161 days) of [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] would surpass Mondragón against [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]], in the Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Russia, on June 25, 2018. However, Milla remains the oldest outfield player to perform in the World Cup.
* [[Gianluca Pagliuca]] of [[Italy national football team|Italy]] became the first goalkeeper to be sent off in a World Cup game, dismissed for handling outside his area against [[Norway national football team|Norway]].
* Brazil's eleven goals in their seven games was a record for the lowest average goals scored per game for any World Cup-winning side, but this record was broken by Spain's eight goals in 2010. The three goals Brazil conceded in those seven games were, at the time, also the lowest average goals conceded per game, although this was subsequently surpassed by France in 1998, Italy in 2006, and Spain in 2010.

==See also==
{{Portal|1990s|Sport|Association football|United States}}
* [[Soccer in the United States]]
* [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup]] – a first Women's World Cup hosted by the United States
* [[2003 FIFA Women's World Cup]] – a second Women's World Cup hosted by the United States
* [[Copa América Centenario]] – First edition of the ''[[Copa América]]'' hosted within the United States in 2016
* [[2024 Copa América]] – Second edition of the ''[[Copa América]]'' hosted within the United States
* [[2026 FIFA World Cup]] – an upcoming tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
* [[2031 FIFA Women's World Cup]] – a third Women's World Cup hosted by the United States, co-hosted with Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Mexico.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikivoyage|World Cup 1994|1994 FIFA World Cup}}
*[https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/1994usa 1994 FIFA World Cup USA], FIFA.com
*[https://www.rsssf.org/tables/94full.html 1994 World Cup details] RSSSF
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111220065927/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/62/wc%5f94%5ftr%5fpart1%5f272.pdf FIFA Technical Report (Part 1)], [https://web.archive.org/web/20100106062745/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/58/wc%5f94%5ftr%5fpart2%5f271.pdf (Part 2)], [https://web.archive.org/web/20111220065721/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/57/wc%5f94%5ftr%5fpart3%5f270.pdf (Part 3)] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20111220064605/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/54/wc%5f94%5ftr%5fpart4%5f268.pdf (Part 4)]
*[http://www.oppetarkiv.se/etikett/ovrigt/Fotbolls-VM_1994/ The event at SVT's open archive] {{in lang|sv}}

{{1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{1994 FIFA World Cup stadiums}}
{{FIFA World Cup}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:FIFA World Cup}}
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup| ]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup tournaments|1994]]
[[Category:1994 in men's international association football|World Cup]]
[[Category:1994 in American soccer]]
[[Category:Men's international association football competitions hosted by the United States|1994]]
[[Category:June 1994 sports events in the United States]]
[[Category:July 1994 sports events in the United States]]