More than two decades after the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the tournament remains one of the most controversial in football history. Co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, it marked the first time the event was held in Asia and the first time two nations jointly staged world football’s most famous competition. While the tournament was hailed for its enthusiastic crowds, modern stadiums and historic upsets, it is equally remembered for allegations of political interference, officiating scandals and accusations that South Korea’s unexpected run to the semi-finals was assisted by refereeing decisions that continue to prompt debate.

South Korea entered the tournament with a modest World Cup record. Prior to 2002, they had never won a World Cup match and were often viewed as one of the more vulnerable qualifying nations. Their best-known appearances involved heavy defeats, including an early exit in 1954 without scoring a goal. Despite consistently qualifying in later decades, the team rarely advanced beyond the group stage and were largely regarded as underdogs on the global stage.

The decision to award the 2002 World Cup to Japan and South Korea was itself contentious. Traditionally, FIFA accepted single-nation bids, and a co-hosted tournament had never been attempted. Concerns were raised regarding logistics, travel distances, differing time zones and fan engagement. Critics also pointed to the political rivalry between Japan and South Korea, questioning whether such an arrangement could function smoothly. Nevertheless, the joint Asian bid won the hosting rights, with FIFA announcing that the decision had been reached “by acclamation,” meaning no formal ballot was recorded. The process raised eyebrows within the football community, particularly given that FIFA’s vice president at the time, Chung Mong-joon, also served as president of the Korean Football Association.

Ahead of the tournament, South Korea invested heavily in football infrastructure, coaching and national development. The appointment of Dutch manager Guus Hiddink was central to efforts to overhaul the program. Hiddink, one of Europe’s most respected managers, introduced rigorous fitness standards, tactical discipline and an ambitious playing style. Under his guidance, South Korea entered the 2002 World Cup far more organized and competitive than previous generations.

The group stage began positively. South Korea defeated Poland 2–0 and held the United States to a 1–1 draw. Their final group match against Portugal, however, sparked the first wave of controversies. Portugal, featuring Luís Figo and a new golden generation of talent, received two red cards in a physical match that saw South Korea win 1–0. Although both dismissals were technically permitted under the laws of the game, debate emerged about consistency, especially given that South Korea committed more fouls overall.

Still, it was the knockout stages that brought the greatest scrutiny. In the Round of 16, South Korea faced Italy in a match officiated by Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno. The game quickly became one of the most disputed in World Cup history. Early in the match, Italy conceded a penalty that raised questions due to limited replay angles. Gianluigi Buffon saved the attempt, but further incidents followed. Several challenges from South Korean players went unpunished, including a high boot that struck Paolo Maldini and an elbow on Alessandro Del Piero.

The defining incidents occurred in extra time, then governed by the “golden goal” rule. Italian forward Francesco Totti received a second yellow card for simulation despite replays suggesting he had been fouled. Minutes later, Damiano Tommasi appeared to score a legitimate golden goal, but it was ruled offside. Ultimately, South Korea scored through Ahn Jung-hwan, eliminating Italy 2–1.

The response in Italy was immediate and intense. Government officials condemned the refereeing, and the Italian Football Federation lodged formal complaints. Some Italian media outlets accused FIFA of enabling systemic bias to promote the host nation’s progress. The controversy deepened when Perugia, Ahn Jung-hwan’s Italian club team, announced the player would not return following his elimination goal, calling his celebration “an offense to a nation that welcomed him.”

South Korea’s quarter-final against Spain delivered another series of disputed decisions. Two Spanish goals were controversially disallowed: one for an alleged foul during a cross and another after the linesman ruled the ball had crossed the byline prior to a header, though replays later indicated otherwise. In the penalty shootout, South Korea’s goalkeeper appeared to advance significantly off his line during Spain’s lone miss, a violation that went unpunished.

Spain, like Italy, expressed frustration but refrained from escalating the situation beyond official channels. Prominent Spanish players, including Fernando Hierro and Luis Enrique, stated publicly that they anticipated difficulties given the prior match involving Italy.

South Korea’s remarkable run ended in the semi-finals with a 1–0 loss to Germany. That match produced fewer controversies and is generally viewed as reflective of the competitive balance on the pitch. South Korea later lost the third-place match to Turkey, finishing fourth—the highest finish ever for an Asian team in World Cup history.

After the tournament, attention turned to the referees involved in the disputed matches. Byron Moreno became a central figure. Already known in Ecuador for contentious officiating, Moreno’s decisions in the Italy match fueled suspicion. He was later suspended by CONMEBOL for unrelated refereeing irregularities and ultimately retired. Years later, in 2010, he was arrested in New York City for attempting to smuggle 13 pounds of heroin, drawing renewed attention to his past.

The other controversial referee, Gamal Al-Ghandour of Egypt, faced scrutiny regarding reports that he received expensive gifts connected to individuals associated with FIFA’s leadership. While allegations were never formally proven, Al-Ghandour retired shortly after the World Cup, ending a distinguished but complicated international career.

Meanwhile, France’s 1998 World Cup champions added their own criticisms. Several players claimed they believed South Korea showed unnatural physical sharpness in a pre-tournament friendly, though no doping violations were ever substantiated.

Hiddink, however, remained widely celebrated in South Korea. For many supporters, the team’s performance represented a historic achievement rather than a scandal. He was granted honorary citizenship and received a villa as a gesture of national appreciation.

With time, the broader historical significance of the 2002 World Cup has become clearer. No Asian team has reached the semi-finals since, and FIFA itself underwent dramatic upheaval in the years that followed. Sepp Blatter, who initially dismissed concerns as “coincidental,” later faced corruption investigations that reshaped public opinion about FIFA governance during that era.

Twenty years later, the 2002 tournament remains a complex case study in international football—an event defined by unprecedented success for the host nation, extraordinary controversy for some of the sport’s traditional powers, and lingering questions about governance, officiating integrity and the global politics surrounding the World Cup.