2001 FIFA Confederations Cup — 5th FIFA Confederations Cup, held in South Korea and Japan
France won the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, becoming only the second nation to simultaneously hold the World Cup, continental, and Confederations Cup titles.
Key Facts
- Tournament edition
- 5th FIFA Confederations Cup
- Host nations
- South Korea and Japan
- Dates
- 30 May – 10 June 2001
- Winner
- France
- Final score
- France 1–0 Japan
- Winning goal scorer
- Patrick Vieira
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
South Korea and Japan were selected as co-hosts of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, prompting FIFA to stage the 2001 Confederations Cup in the same countries as a preparatory tournament. Saudi Arabia, the tournament's founding nation under its original name the King Fahd Cup, did not participate, marking the first such absence.
The tournament ran from 30 May to 10 June 2001, featuring eight teams divided into two groups of four. France, the reigning World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 champions, advanced through the knockout rounds and defeated co-hosts Japan 1–0 in the final, with Patrick Vieira scoring the decisive goal.
By claiming the Confederations Cup title, France became only the second team in history—after Brazil in 1997—to simultaneously hold the FIFA World Cup, their continental championship, and the Confederations Cup. The tournament also served as a practical test run for South Korea and Japan ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.