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2002 FIFA World Cup for PlayStation 2
2002 FIFA World Cup for PlayStation 2 focuses entirely on the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. You choose a national team and try to reach the final through the group stage and knockout rounds. The official kits, national teams, tournament presentation and twenty recreated World Cup stadiums give every match the character of the 2002 event. The mascots and mounting tension between rounds are also incorporated into the presentation.
On the pitch, the game uses the foundations of FIFA Football 2002, supplemented by Air Play. This lets you perform crosses, headers, bicycle kicks and volleys with clear timing instead of long button combinations. Shots have a visible power build-up, while star players have recognisable animations and stronger actions. The pace is high, so losing possession can quickly turn into an attack at the other end.
Alongside the full World Cup tournament, you can play individual international matches and adjust settings such as difficulty, game speed and referee strictness. Two players can compete locally using two controllers. All content is stored on the PlayStation 2 disc; this release was designed for local play and does not include modern squads, transfers or football rules introduced later.
Region and language
Our PlayStation 2 games are PAL editions and come with a Dutch or English box, unless stated otherwise. By default, you receive the version for the European market. We note it in the product details if the region is different or the box is in another language. In almost all cases, the game is playable at least in English, and often in the other five common European languages too.
2002 FIFA World Cup supports one or two players on PlayStation 2. A local two-player match requires two controllers. The complete game content is stored on the disc.
Manual
2002 FIFA World Cup for PlayStation 2 includes the manual unless the product title states otherwise. If the booklet is missing, the title says “No Manual”. This lets you see before ordering whether the game comes with a manual.
The manuals included with our games usually contain at least English and often around six European languages. The exact languages vary by edition, so Dutch is not always included. The booklet explains the controls and the main rules. You can use it to check how to control the game, which actions are available and how its different features work.
The history of 2002 FIFA World Cup
EA Sports released 2002 FIFA World Cup in Europe in April 2002, shortly before the real finals began on 31 May. It was the official game of the first World Cup hosted by two countries and the first world championship held in Asia. The PlayStation 2 version appeared alongside releases for PlayStation, GameCube, Xbox and Windows, among others, but this description applies only to the PS2 disc.
Development built on FIFA Football 2002, but narrowed the structure to international football and the route to a single world title. EA placed extra emphasis on broadcast presentation, stadium details and spectacular aerial duels. The tournament consists of seven matches for a team that reaches the final: three group games and four knockout rounds. A complete campaign is therefore more compact than a club season.
The game preserves the teams, kits and stadiums as EA assembled them around the 2002 World Cup. Later changes to squads and rules have not been added. Its presentation also differs from newer FIFA games with broader careers and online features. The focused tournament structure, twenty stadiums and emphasis on national rivalry make this release a snapshot of Japan and South Korea in 2002.
Similar games for PlayStation 2
FIFA Football 2002 includes clubs, national leagues and a longer season structure. 2002 FIFA World Cup uses a related match foundation but replaces club football with national teams, twenty official World Cup stadiums and a campaign from the group stage to the final. Air Play and the emphasis on spectacular aerial duels also give the World Cup release its own rhythm.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2 places more emphasis on build-up play, ball control and creating space, with fewer official team and stadium licences. 2002 FIFA World Cup plays faster and presents recognisable World Cup kits, stadiums, mascots and broadcast graphics. One focuses on tactical freedom within a match, the other on the official 2002 tournament.
This Is Football 2002 offers many club and national teams and a broader selection of competitions. EA's World Cup game is narrower in scope: every campaign revolves around the same finals and the seven steps to the trophy. In return, it has a more detailed official World Cup presentation featuring the venues in Japan and South Korea.
UEFA Champions League 2001-2002 follows European clubs through the Champions League group and knockout stages. 2002 FIFA World Cup also uses a recognisable licensed tournament, but with national teams and World Cup stadiums. Both build tension from one round to the next, while their teams, atmosphere and match schedule are clearly different.
RedCard 20-03 makes football looser and rougher, with exaggerated tackles, fast attacks and an arcade-like tone. 2002 FIFA World Cup retains official teams, normal rules and a more serious tournament presentation. The pace can be high here as well, but fouls and aerial duels remain part of a recognisable football match.
