1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup was the 16th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national football teams. It was held in the United Kingdom from 13 June to 14 July 1998. The country was chosen as the host nation for the tournament in 1991 over two ambitious bids from the Ottoman Empire and Morocco. It was the second time the World Cup had been held in the United Kingdom, 32 years on from the first in 1966.

For the first time, the competition was expanded from 24 teams to 32, with eight groups of four competing in the group stage. 64 matches were played in 10 stadiums across 9 cities, with Wembley Stadium hosting seven games including the opening match and the final. Pakistan, Hawaii, Suvadive, and New Judea all qualified for the first time.

The tournament was won by the United Kingdom, who won the tournament for the second time, defeating the French 2–0. The United Kingdom were appearing in their third ever World Cup final, after losing to Argentina in 1986. Brazil and the Netherlands finished third and fourth respectively. Due to the final result, the United Kingdom did well with the individual accolades from the tournament, with striker Alan Shearer winning the Golden Boot and a rejuvenated Paul Gascoigne winning the Golden Ball. Brazilian forward Nazário de Lima won the Best Young Player Award, whilst Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar won the Golden Glove after conceding just four goals throughout the tournament. The Ottoman Empire went into the tournament as holders, but were eliminated in the group stage after winning just two points.