The 2002 FIFA World Cup (branded as 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan) was the 17th edition of the FIFA World Cup, the global championship tournament in men's association football, held across 10 cities each in South Korea and Japan[1] (20 in total) from May 31 to June 30, 2002. It was the first FIFA World Cup to be held in more than one country, with the second being the 2026 edition in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The defending champions were France, who won the 1998 tournament at home. The tournament was won by Brazil, which beat Germany in the International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, on June 30, 2002.
On 31 May 1996, the Japan Football Association and the Korea Football Association's joint bid to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup was "voted by acclamation" which is an oral vote without ballots, edging out Mexico's bid to host the tournament.
The official logo of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan was revealed on 31 May 1999 simultaneously in Seoul and Tokyo, the capital cities of the first countries in Asia to host the world's premier sports event.
The circular logo was created by the London office of Interbrand, in consultation with its offices in Tokyo and Seoul. For the first time in the history of the event, the logo features the FIFA World Cup Trophy as a central stylised feature, as well as the FIFA World Cup logotype.
“The logo builds on the artistic principles and traditions of Korea and Japan, such as asymmetry, dynamism and harmony, in order to live up to the high quality of design for which both countries are renowned.”
The Spheriks: Ato (Yellow) Kaz (Purple) Nik (Blue)
Species:
Aliens
Designer:
Unknown
The mascots were introduced in 2000 and for the first time in World Cup mascot history, the mascots were computer generated and futuristic. The trio was named the Spheriks and the backstory was that the yellow Spherik is the coach and the purple and blue Spheriks are the players for a team at the fictional sport of 'Atmoball' and resided in the Atmozone. On 26 April 2001, the mascots' final names were decided: Ato, Nik and Kaz. The colours interestingly, don't have any connection to South Korea or Japan.
Notes and references[]
↑No matches were played in Tokyo, the Japanese capital (uniquely among FIFA World Cups; every World Cup since then has had matches in the country capital).
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