1978 FIFA World Cup win the World Cup after failing to win two matches, where they had lost to Italy in the first round and drawn with Brazil in the second round. Four years later, Italy would win the next World Cup despite failing to win three games. The official mascot of this World Cup was "Gauchito", a boy wearing an Argentina kit. His hat (with the words ARGENTINA '78), neckerchief, and whip are typical of gauchos. Of the six venues used, the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires was the largest and most used venue, hosting nine total matches, including the final match. The
2002 Beach Soccer World Championship Soccer League (EBSL). The winners, runners up and third placed nations in the previous World Cup also gained automatic qualification for their performances a year earlier; reigning champions Portugal had already gained their spot through being runners-up in the EBSL, however runners-up of last years World Cup France, who did not finish in the top three of the ESBL, and third placed Argentina, gained their spots this way. The other entries received invites. Africa, North America and Oceania were unrepresented. Asian Zone (1): European Zone (4): South American Zone (2): Hosts: "Matches are listed as local time in Vitória and