Germany at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Germany at the 2002 FIFA World Cup This article concerns the German national football team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Germany had to play against England, Finland, Albania and Greece, managed by fellow German Otto Rehhagel. It was not to be an easy group, so much so as only the first placed team could qualify automatically. The start was promising with four wins in a row, including a 1-0 win against England at Wembley. Since England could only manage a draw away at Finland, automatic qualification should have been a foregone conclusion. In the
FIFA World Cup hosts Cup had more than one host, being split between Japan and South Korea. Upon the selection of Canada–Mexico–United States bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament will be the first to be hosted by more than two countries. Mexico becomes the first country to host three men's World Cups and its Estadio Azteca, should it be selected, will become the first stadium to stage three World Cup tournaments. Except 1934, host nations are granted an automatic spot in the World Cup group stages. The first host ever to fail to advance past the first round was South Africa