Every FIFA World Cup Ranked From Worst To Best
6. USA 1994
The 1994 World Cup brought international “soccer” to the US, where it proved a roaring success. Games were consistently sold out, the hosts avoided embarrassment by reaching the second round and an eclectic mix of teams made a major impact.
Nigeria built on the achievements of African counterparts Cameroon four years earlier with some dazzling attacking displays to reach the knockout stages. Saudi Arabia also proved one of the competition’s surprise packages, qualifying for the last-16 via a stunning solo goal from Saeed Al-Owairan against Belgium.
It was a tournament remembered for the feats of some of the decade’s great individual talents. There was Gheorghe Hagi and Romania, who reached the quarter-finals after a thrilling 3-2 win over an Argentina side reeling from the expulsion of Diego Maradona following a failed drugs test.
Bulgaria went one better with the goals of eventual Golden Boot winner Hristo Stoichkov firing them to the semi-finals via a famous 2-1 victory over Germany in the last-eight. Tomas Brolin was another highlight with semi-finalists Sweden.
The biggest individual impact came with Italy, as the mercurial talent of Roberto Baggio dragged an abject Azzurri all the way to the final after defeating Bulgaria in the last four.
Ultimately, however, the collective talents of a more defensively-minded Brazil triumphed. While striker Romario was a free-scoring free spirit, the Seleção still required spot-kicks and an infamous Baggio miss to win the final.