2002 FIFA World Cup qualification failed to qualify for the 2006 finals: Belgium, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Ireland, Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, Uruguay." The 32 spots available in the 2002 World Cup would be distributed among the continental zones as follows: A total of 193 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 777 qualifying matches were played, and 2452 goals were scored (an average of 3.17 per match). The Asian Football Confederation was allocated four and half qualifying berths for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, South Korea and Japan, the co-hosts, qualified automatically, leaving two and half spots open for
Croatia at the 2002 FIFA World Cup the qualifying matches. Boško Balaban and Robert Jarni are the only player that appeared in all 8 matches. Balaban was also the top scorer with 5 achieved goals. Ivica Olić, Anthony Šerić, Josip Šimunić and Vladimir Vasilj did not appear in any of the qualifying matches but made the final World Cup squad. Complete list of players in the qualifying matches Croatia at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Croatia participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This was their second appearance after their debut-bronze madel appearance at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Croatia was in Group 6 of UEFA's World