The 1994 FIFA World Cup set all-time attendance records and marked Brazil's fourth world title, decided by penalty shootout for the first time in a World Cup final.
Key Facts
- Total attendance
- 3,587,538
- Average attendance per game
- 68,991
- Tournament duration
- June 17 – July 17, 1994
- Number of venues
- 9
- Average goals per match
- 2.71
- Final score (after extra time)
- Brazil 3–2 Italy (penalties, 0–0 AET)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
FIFA selected the United States as host on July 4, 1988, partly to grow soccer's popularity in North America. Rule changes were introduced—three points for a win and the back-pass rule—to counter the defensive, low-scoring football seen at the 1990 World Cup and encourage more attacking play.
The 15th FIFA World Cup was held across nine U.S. venues from June 17 to July 17, 1994, featuring 24 national teams. Brazil defeated Italy 3–2 on penalties in the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena after a goalless draw, in the first World Cup final ever decided by a shootout.
Brazil became the first nation to win four World Cup titles. The tournament shattered attendance records that remained unsurpassed through 2022, despite later field expansions to 32 teams. The rule changes yielded a higher scoring average of 2.71 goals per game compared to 2.21 in 1990, helping reshape the modern game.
Result
at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California