Romário and a fourth star
Romário won the Golden Ball as Brazil claimed a fourth title and ended a 24-year wait. The final went to penalties, where Roberto Baggio—Italy's hero all tournament—skied the decisive kick over the bar.
America's first World Cup
The 1994 finals drew the highest average attendance in World Cup history, proving the United States could stage the event on a huge scale. That legacy directly informs the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico—see /world-cup-2026.
Top scorers and legacy
Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) and Oleg Salenko (Russia) shared the Golden Boot with six goals; Salenko famously scored five in one match. The full winners list is on /world-cup-winners-list.
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Frequently asked questions
Who won the 1994 World Cup?+
Brazil, beating Italy on penalties after a 0–0 final.
Who missed the decisive penalty?+
Roberto Baggio of Italy, ballooning his kick over the bar.
Why is 1994 important for 2026?+
It showed the USA could host on a record scale—see /world-cup-2026.
Who were the top scorers in 1994?+
Hristo Stoichkov and Oleg Salenko, six goals each.