South Korea and Japan 2002
Final: Brazil 2-0 Germany
The decision to stage the first World Cup in Asia in South Korea and Japan was one of the most profound FIFA have made.
Decades of animosity between the two countries had created a situation that would have resulted in national shame for whichever nation lost the vote to host the tournament.
Their shared and difficult history was something that even FIFA could not solve, and, in July 1996, FIFA did the most pragmatic and sensible thing by making them joint hosts.
The competition threw up surprise after surprise - none bigger in Ireland than Roy Keane's parting of the way with his team before the tournament started. Once the action did get underway, it started with the opening match in Seoul when debutants Senegal beat holders France 1-0.
This, clearly, had the makings of a World Cup with a difference.
France and Argentina departed early, while the co-hosts, swept along on a tide of passionate support, exceeded expectations. South Korea reached the semis and Japan the second round, where they lost to a good Turkish side.
Brazil avoided the errors the other fancied nations were committing.
They won all three group matches against Turkey (2-1), China (4-0) and Costa Rica (5-2) before beating Belgium 2-0 in the second round.
That set them up with a quarter-final match against a strong England side who somehow lost their way after being a goal ahead against 10 men, after Ronaldinho was sent off.
Before departing, Ronaldinho had scored with a free kick that flew over David Seaman's outstretched arm from 40 metres to secure Brazil's 2-1 victory.
Germany, South Korea and Turkey also made it through to the last four. Brazil beat Turkey 1-0 and Germany beat South Korea by the same score.
Despite having reached the deciding match of the previous 16 World Cups 12 times between them, Brazil and Germany had never previously met at a World Cup.
Brazil were the hot favourites, but Germany were difficult to beat. It was not until the 67th minute that Brazil broke through, Ronaldo scoring the first of his two goals.
The second arrived 12 minutes later as he finished the tournament as top scorer, with eight goals.
