Estadio Pocitos
Opened in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1921. The first game was played on 6 November in a friendly match between Peñarol and Argentine team River Plate, playing to a 1-1 draw.
Uruguay was the venue for the first ever World Cup in 1930, in which Uruguay actually went on to win. Estadio Pocitos wasn’t big, but it was one of the stadiums chosen to host World Cup games.
The stadium is iconic for being one of the two stadiums that opened the first ever World Cup games, with a match between France and Mexico played here on 13 July 1930, in front of 4,444 people. France crushed Mexico 4-1 with France’s Lucien Laurent making history by scoring the first ever World Cup goal. Another match was played at the same time in Estadio Gran Parque Central.
The only other game played at the stadium during the World Cup was a 3-1 win for Romania against Peru with only 2,549 people in attendance.
Peñarol moved on to the Estadio Centenario in 1933, a stadium that was built specifically for the 1930 FIFA World Cup, while the Estadio Pocitos was demolished in 1940 to make way for a neighbourhood in Montevideo.
Stadio Nazionale PNF
Opened on 10 June 1911 in Rome, Italy. The stadium hosted Lazio from 1931-1953, and Roma from 1940-1953, and held a capacity of 47,300.
It hosted three World Cup games in 1934, the first being a 7-1 hammering of USA by hosts Italy on 27 May in a Round of 16 game, with Angelo Schiavio scoring a hat-trick in front of a crowd of 25,000.
The next game hosted here was the Semi-final on 3 June where Czechoslovakia dispatched of Germany 3-1, with Oldřich Nejedlý grabbing a hat-trick with 15,000 in attendance.
That then set up the 1934 World Cup Final between Italy and Czechoslovakia which was played here on 10 June 1934 with 55,000 people in attendance. The host nation Italy went on to lift the famous trophy after they won the game 2-1 in extra-time with a goal from Angelo Schiavio.
It closed its doors in 1953, and was demolished in 1957, replaced by the Stadio Flaminio.
Stadio Giorgio Ascarelli
Giorgio Ascarelli founded Napoli Soccer Sports Society, and the young entrepreneur decided to build a stadium in Naples for the team to play at. Unfortunately, he would die just days after the opening of the stadium on 13 March, 1930.
The stadium was then chosen to host games at the 1934 World Cup, as the stadium underwent renovations with the wooden stands removed for concrete stands, and capacity went from 20,000 to 40,000. The name of the stadium was changed to Stadio Partenopeo.
The first game hosted at the tournament was a Round of 16 match on 27 May 1934 between Hungary and Egypt, with 9,000 in attendance. Hungary won the game 4-2, with Géza Toldi grabbing a brace, while Egypt’s Abdelirahman Fawzy also grabbed two goals of his own.
The other game hosted here was the Third place play-off between Germany and Austria on 7 June, with a disappointing 7,000 people in attendance. Germany won the game 3-2 with Ernst Lehner grabbing two, to finish third in the 1934 World Cup.
During WWII, Naples was one of the most bombed cities, and the stadium was completed destroyed by bombardments. Today Via Giuliano da Maiano neighboorhoud is in its place.
Stadio Littorio
Inaugurated in 1932, just a couple of years before the 1934 World Cup, the stadium was used by U.S. Triestina Calcio, and had a capacity of 8,000.
It hosted one game at the 1934 World Cup, a Round of 16 match between Czechoslovakia and Romania on 27 May 1934 with 9,000 people in attendance. The game ended 2-1 to Czechoslovakia who went behind in the game early on, but goals from Antonín Puč, the all-time leading goalscorer for Czechoslovakia, and Oldřich Nejedlý secured the win.
The stadium was renamed Stadio di Valmaura in 1943 and again in 1967 to Stadio Giuseppe Grezar. The stadium was replaced in 1992 by the nearby Stadio Nereo Rocco, but it remains open as a minor athletics venue.
Parc des Princes
The new and improved second Parc des Princes opened on 19 April 1932 to a capacity of 38,000, down from the 45,000 that it previously had.
It held the opening game of the 1938 World Cup on 4 June, a Round of 16 game between Switzerland and Germany in front of 27,152 people,. The score was 1-1, and no goals in extra-time meant that the match would go to a replay, which took place a few days later on 9 June again at Parc des Princes, this time Switzerland fought back from 2-0 down to beat Germany 4-2, with 20,025 in attendance.
The Semi-final was the next game hosted here on 16 June as Hungary destroyed Sweden 5-1 with 20,000 people watching from the stands.
It was a multipurpose stadium that hosted many sports. In 1956 it hosted the inaugural final of the first ever European Cup and in 1960 the first ever European Nations’ Cup Final.
The Parc des Princes was redesigned for a third time in 1972, which is the stadium we see standing today.
Stade du T.O.E.C.
Located in Toulouse, the stadium wasn’t initially one of the venues picked for the 1938 World Cup, but due to Stadium de Toulouse being under construction, this stadium was used instead.
The first game here was a Round of 16 match on 5 June that saw Cuba and Romania draw 3-3, with four of those goals coming after extra-time, to a crowd of only 7,000 people.
The replay took place a few days later on 9 June, this time Cuba edged out Romania with a 2-1 victory. The goals for Cuba came in the second half after going 1-0 down in the first, with 8,000 people watching on.
The stadium was renamed after WWII to Stade Chapou in tribute to French Resistant, Jacques Chapou. It was demolished in 1965 to build residence for students.
Stade Victor Bocquey
Opened in Lille on 1902, with Olympique Lillois moving in from 1907 until 1944 before merging with SC Fives to form Lille OSC, who continued on to play here until 1974. It held 15,000 people.
The stadium hosted one game during the 1938 World Cup, a Quarter-final game between Switzerland and Hungary on 12 June, in front of a packed house of 15,000. Hungary won the game 2-0, with a goal either side of each half.
Originally named as Stade de l’avenue de Dunkerque, and later known as Stade Henri-Jooris from 1946 after the former president of Olympique Lillois, Henri-Jooris.
The stadium’s roof collapsed in Feburary 1946, in a match between Lille and Lens, with 53 people injured due to the damage. It was demolished in 1975, to allow the wide gauge of the waterway.
Estádio dos Eucaliptos
Built in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1931 with a seating capacity of 20,000 people. The opening game on 15 March 1931 saw Internacional defeat Grêmio 3-0 with 22,000 in attendance.
For the 1950 World Cup, the Brazilian Sports Confederation reformed the stadium where it would host two matches.
The first match saw 11,078 people take in a Group 1 game between Yugoslavia and Mexico on 28 June 1950. Yugoslavia rolled over Mexico comfortably with a 4-1 win, with Željko Čajkovski grabbing a brace.
A few days later, on 2 July, Mexico were back again, and it was to prove an unlucky stadium for them as Switzerland narrowly beat them 2-1 in another Group 1 game, with a very disappointing 3,580 people in attendance.
The full name of the stadium is Estádio Ildo Meneghetti, and the last match to be played here was in March 1969 with Internacional defeating Rio Grande 4-1. It was then closed, but stood standing up until 2012 when it was demolished to make way for residential areas.
Wankdorf Stadium
Located in Bern, Switzerland, and the former home of BSC Young Boys between 1925-2001. The stadium opened on 18 October 1925, but the original stadium was almost completely demolished for the 1954 World Cup with the new Wankdorf Stadium now able to house 64,000, and would go on to host five games at that year’s World Cup.
The first game saw a Group 3 game in which then current World Cup champions Uruguay beat Czechoslovakia 2-0 on 16 June 1954, with 20,500 people attending.
The next day game a match between West Germany and Turkey in Group 2 was played here in front of 28,000 people, as West Germany comfortably went on to win 4-1.
The third game came on 20 June when England defeated Switzerland 2-0 in a Group 4 match, with 43,119 people in attendance.
The Quater-final saw 40,000 watch on as Hungary and Brazil went head-to-head in a classic World Cup match, known as the Battle of Berne. The game ended 4-2 to the Hungarians, who were at that time, considered to be the best. Three players were sent off during the game due to violent conduct and fighting, while the fighting continued on in the dressing room after the match.
Following that, Hungary returned here for the final against West Germany, in a game that Hungary were expected to win. Instead what occurred is known as the Miracle of Bern, as West Germany went on to beat Hungary 3-2 on 4 July 1954 with 62,500 people watching on. Four early goals were scored before Helmut Rahn grabbed the winner and his second of the game late on to win it for West Germany, cementing the stadium as an icon.
The stadium was demolished in 2001, with the last match on 7 July 2001, a league game between Young Boys and Lugano. In 2005 Stade de Suisse was built on the same site.
St. Jakob Stadium
Built specifically for the 1954 World Cup, it then became home to FC Basel between 1964-1998. The stadium had a capacity of 51,500 people and hosted six games at the World Cup in Switzerland.
A Group 4 game between England and Belgium was up first at the stadium, in a match that ended 4-4, with only 14,000 people attending.
Attendance more than doubled as 34,000 watched on for a Group 3 match on 19 June to see then current World Cup champions Uruguay comfortably dispatch Scotland 7-0, with Carlos Borges grabbing a hat-trick.
The third game played here was a Group 2 match between Hungary and West Germany, the two teams that would meet in the final. On 20 June though, it was Hungary’s day as they destroyed West Germany 8-3 with Sándor Kocsis grabbing four goals.
A few days later on 23 June, a Group 4 play-off match was played to see who would advance between Switzerland and Italy. The Swiss won comfortably 4-1, with 28,655 people in attendance.
A Quater-final was up next on 26 June as Uruguay took on England. Goals continued to be plenty at the stadium as Uruguay won 4-2, with 28,000 in attendance.
The Semi-final saw almost 60,000 people take to their seats as West Germany took care of Austria with a 6-1 win to advance to the final on 30 June.
The stadium closed its doors in 1998, for St. Jakob-Park to be built in its place.
Charmilles Stadium
Located in Geneva, and the former home of Servette FC, the stadium was built for the Coupe des Nations 1930 tournament, and opened in June 1930 with a capacity of 9,250 people. It held four matches for the 1954 World Cup.
The first match on 16 June saw 13,470 people watch Brazil comfortably defeat Mexico 5-0 in a Group 1 game, with Pinga grabbing a brace.
On 19 June saw 19,000 people squeeze in to watch another Group 1 game, between France and Mexico. The game finished 3-2 to France after a late penalty from Raymond Kopa won the match.
The next day disappointed, at least attendance wise as only 3,541 people showed up to watch a Group 2 game between Turkey and South Korea. The game didn’t disappoint from a Turkey standpoint as they went on to win 7-0, with Burhan Sargun scoring a hat-trick.
The last game played at the stadium was a Quarter-final in which 17,000 people packed in to watch West Germany, who went on to win the tournament, defeat Yugoslavia 2-0 on 27 June.
The stadium closed in 2002 due to the Stade de Genève opening, and it was demolished in 2012. In 2015 Parc Gustave & Leonard Hentsch was inaugurated on the site.
Hardturm Stadium
Opened in Zürich in 1929, the stadium was home to Grasshopper Club Zürich from 1929-2007, and held 27,500 people, before capacity was reduced to 17,666. The stadium held five matches at the 1954 World Cup.
The first of those was a Group 3 game on 16 June between Austria and Scotland, as the Austrians narrowed out the Scots 1-0 with 25,000 attending.
A hefty 9-0 took place the day after in a Group 2 match as Hungary easily took down South Korea. Sándor Kocsis grabbed a hat-trick in the game, with 13,000 watching.
Austria were back again for another group game on 19 June, and another win as 26,000 people watched them beat Czechoslovakia 5-0, with Erich Probst scoring three.
A Group 2 play-off game between West Germany and Turkey took place on 23 June with 17,000 in attendance to watch West Germany win 7-2, with Maximilian Morlock bagging a hat-trick.
It was to be a good stadium for Austria, who in front of 32,000 returned to play the Third place play-off match between them and Uruguay on 3 July. Austria won the match 3-1, defeating then defending champions and finishing third in that year’s World Cup.
The stadium closed on 1 September 2007, with demolition of the stadium beginning in December 2008 and finishing in March 2009. After the demolition, the “stadium wasteland” was created, an open space that is used in a variety of ways.
Råsunda Stadium
Built in Stockholm, Sweden, and opened in 1937 on 18 April as AIK took on Malmo, in a match where AIK won 4-0. The stadium was host to eight matches at the 1958 World Cup.
Five of the Group 3 matches were played here, the first being a 3-0 win for Sweden against Mexico on 8 June with 34,107 people attending to watch the hosts comfortably win. The next one saw Mexico back again on 12 June, as 15,150 took in a 1-1 draw with Wales. Sweden were back a day later as 38,850 people watched them beat Hungary 2-1. Sweden’s last group game saw a 0-0 draw with Wales on 15 June, before a play-off between Wales and Hungary took place with only 2,823 people attending to watch the Welsh go through to the Quater-finals on with a 2-1 win.
The Quater-final saw Sweden take on Soviet Union on 19 June, with 31,900 people watching on as Sweden won the game 2-0.
Brazil and France were up next for the Semi-final on 24 June with the Brazilians proving to be too much for the French in a 5-2 win for Brazil, with Pelé hitting a hat-trick.
The Brazilian was at it again with a brace for the Final as almost 50,000 turned up to watch Brazil win 5-2 again, this time against host nation Sweden on 29 June, as Brazil lifted the World Cup.
The stadium was used by AIK and the Sweden national team up until 2013 when it was demolished and being replaced by apartment buildings.
Wembley Stadium
Originally known as Empire Stadium, Wembley Stadium was England’s iconic stadium. It opened on 28 April 1923. The stadium could hold up to 100,000 people, and held nine World Cup games in 1966. Every game England played at this World Cup was held in this stadium.
Five of the six Group games were played here, starting off with England and Uruguay drawing 0-0 on 11 July with 87,148 people attending, before France and Mexico drew 1-1 a couple of days after with 69,237 people at the game. The next game saw both England and Mexico back on 16 July as 92,570 watched England win their first game of the World Cup campaign 2-0. Mexico then returned on 19 July with yet another draw, 0-0 against Uruguay. Almost 100,000 showed up for England’s last group match against France, a 2-0 win on 20 July.
England were back for the Quater-final against Argentina on 23 July, as 90,584 people watched England win 1-0.
The Semi-final had 94,493 people watch England take on Portugal in another hard fought match on 26 July, as the hosts won 2-1.
The Third place play-off took place a couple of days later when Portugal returned to play Soviet Union here in a 2-1 win for Portugal.
The stadium proved to be a gift to England as they went on to win their first and only World Cup when they took on West Germany in front of 96,924 people on 30 July. The game was 2-2 before it went to extra-time, where England took control and Geoff Hurst finished off a hat-trick to sink West Germany as England won 4-2.
The last match to be played at the stadium was a game between England and Germany on 7 October 2000, in which Germany won 1-0. It was then demolished in 2003, and replaced by a new and improved Wembley Stadium in 2007.
White City Stadium
Built in London in 1907 for the 1908 Summer Olympics, the stadium was needed for one match at the 1966 World Cup.
The only game played here was a Group 1 match on 15 July between Uruguay and France, in a 2-1 win for Uruguay with 45,662 people in attendance.
The stadium closed its doors in 1984, and was demolished in 1985 with the site now White City Place.
Roker Park
Opened in 1898 as the home of Sunderland AFC until 1997, the stadium held 22,500 people. It went on to host four matches at the 1966 World Cup.
First up was a Group 4 game on 13 July, as Italy took on Chile, with 27,199 people. The game finished 2-0 to Italy. The next game was another Italy match, this time against Soviet Union on 16 July. Soviet Union won by a single goal.
On 20 July, Soviet Union returned for another win as they beat Chile 2-1, with two goals coming from Valeriy Porkuyan, with 16,000 attending.
A few days later, it was proven to be a lucky stadium for Soviet Union again as they beat Hungary 2-1 in the Quater-final for the stadium’s final match at the World Cup, with almost 27,000 watching.
Sunderland moved on to the Stadium of Light and Roker Park was demolished in 1998, with the last ever match a special farewell game. A housing estate was built in its place, with streets named after various Roker Park and football names.
Ayresome Park
Opened in 1903 as the home of Middlesbrough FC until 1995 before they moved on to the Riverside Stadium. It held 26,667 people and hosted three Group 4 games at the 1966 World Cup.
The first game was on 12 July, as Soviet Union beat North Korea 3-0 with Eduard Malofeyev grabbing a brace in front of 27,000.
North Korea grabbed a draw in the second game played here as 13,792 watched them draw 1-1 with Chile on 15 July after a late equaliser from Pak Seung-zin.
North Korea then enjoyed a famous victory for the third and final game played here as they knocked out Italy with a 1-0 win, as Pak Doo-ik scored the goal that helped his country advance to the Quarter-final, with 17,829 attending.
The stadium was then demolished in 1997, to be replaced by housing, with the original gates of the stadium now standing outside the Riverside Stadium.
Parkstadion
Built in 1969 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, the stadium opened in 1973 as home of FC Schalke 04 from 1973-2001, and held 62,109 people. It hosted five matches at the 1974 World Cup.
The first of those was a Group 2 game on 18 June as Yugoslavia beat Zaire 9-0, in what is the record for the biggest ever win at a World Cup, with 31,700 people watching.
Zaire lost again, this time 3-0 to Brazil on 22 June with 36,200 people in attendance.
In the 2nd round, three games in Group A were played at the stadium, as the Netherlands beat Argentina 4-0 in front of 56,548 people on 26 June. Four days later, Netherlands returned, this time defeating East Germany 2-0 in front of almost 70,000. The last match played here was on 3 July, with Argentina and East Germany drawing 1-1.
The last match at the stadium took place on 19 May 2001 in a 5-3 thriller between Schalke and SpVgg Unterhaching. The stadium was closed in 2008 and is now partly demolished.
Rheinstadion
Built near the Rhine, in Düsseldorf Germany in 1926 and was home to Fortuna Düsseldorf between from 1953-1970 and again from 1972-2002. It held 54,000 people and was chosen to host five games at the 1974 World Cup.
The first two were Group 3 games both involving Sweden, first on 15 June, they drew 0-0 with Bulgaria in front of 23,800, and then they beat Uruguay 3-0 on 23 June.
Three Group B games were then held here, with West Germany taking on Yugoslavia in a 2-0 win for West Germany as 67,385 people attended the match on 26 June. West Germany were back again on 30 June, another win, this time 4-2 against Sweden with almost 68,000 people attending. Sweden returned for their fourth game at the stadium, a 2-1 win against Yugoslavia on 3 July.
The stadium was demolished in the summer of 2002, replaced by Merkur Spiel-Arena in 2004.
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Estadi Sarrià
Built in Barcelona in 1923, and used by Espanyol between 1923-1997. The stadium held 44,000 people, while it played host to three Group C games at the 1982 World Cup.
The first game was on 28 June, when Italy took on Argentina in front of a crowd of 43,000. All goals came in the second half as Italy went on to win 2-1. The next game was on 2 July when Argentina were handed their second defeat at the stadium, this time a 3-1 loss to Brazil, with 44,000 watching on. 5 July saw a classic match as Italy took on Brazil for the final match in Group C. The Italians won the match 3-2 in front of 44,000, with Paolo Rossi grabbing all three of Italy’s goals.
Financial issues meant the stadium was sold off to property developers, with the last match played on 21 July 1997, a 3-2 for Espanyol against Valencia. The stadium was demolished on 20 September 1997 and converted into a park.
Estadio Vicente Calderón
Former home of Atlético Madrid from 1966-2017, the stadium held almost 55,000 people and opened on 2 October 1966. The stadium held the Group D matches for the 1982 World Cup.
A 1-0 win for France against Austria on 28 June saw 37,000 watch as Bernard Genghini’s goal was enough. The next match on 1 July saw Austria and Northern Ireland play to a 2-2 draw, with 20,000 watching on. William Hamilton bagged both goals for Northern Ireland. France were too much for Northern Ireland in the final game played at the stadium as they ran out 4-1 winners, with 37,000 in attendance.
Atlético Madrid moved on to the Metropolitano Stadium in 2017, and demolition of the Vicente Calderón finished on 6 July 2020. The land is currently being developed into housing and shopping centres.
Estadio San Mamés
Built on 20 January 1913 in Bilbao, and former home to Athletic Bilbao. It held 40,000, and hosted three Group 4 games at the 1982 World Cup.
All of England’s Group 4 games were played here, with the first one against France in front of 44,000, a 3-1 win for England on 16 June. Next saw England defeat Czechoslovakia 2-0, with 41,123 attending, and the final game was another England win, this time winning 1-0 against Kuwait.
The last match played at the stadium was a farewell friendly against Athletic Bilbao and Biscay XI on 5 June 2013. Demolition began the following days after the game to make way for the new San Mamés, that would stand adjacent to the old.
Estadio Carlos Tartiere
Opened in Oviedo in 1932, in a game between Spain and Yugoslavia on 24 April. The stadium was the home of Real Oviedo between 1932-2000. The stadium held 22,000, and was rebuilt for the 1982 World Cup where it played host to three Group games.
The first saw Austria beat Chile 1-0 on 17 June, with 22,500 people watching. Austria won again this time 2-0 against Algeria a few days later, with 22,000 attending. The final game here saw Algeria defeat Chile 3-2, with 16,000 watching on 24 June as Salah Assad bagged two goals for Algeria.
The last game played at the stadium was a league match with Real Oviedo and Real Sociedad on 20 May 2000. The stadium was then demolished in 2003. The city’s Congress Palace was built on the land occupied by the stadium.
Estadio Tecnológico
Built in 1950 in Monterrey, Mexico, the stadium was home to CF Monterrey from 1952-1973, and then again from 1980-2015. It held almost 37,000, and played host to three games at the 1986 World Cup.
The first match played here was on 3 June, with 23,000 in attendance to watch a Group F game between Portugal and England in a match that ended with a 1-0 win for Portugal. On 6 June, England and Morocco played a goalless draw in front of a crowd of 20,000.
The other game came in Group D on 12 June with Spain comfortably beating Algeria 3-0 in front of 24,000.
The stadium held a public farewell on 29 April 2017 with over 12,000 attending before demolition began. The new Estadio Borregos was built on the same place in 2019.
Stadio Delle Alpi
Built in March 1988 in Turin. The former home of Juventus and Torino between 1990-2006. The stadium held a capacity of 69,000, and hosted five games at the 1990 World Cup.
The first four games involved Brazil, with all of their Group games taking place here. The first on 10 June, was a 2-1 win against Sweden as over 62,000 attended the game. Next was another hard fought victory for Brazil, a 1-0 win against Costa Rica on 16 June to a crowd of 58,000. On 20 June Brazil won 1-0 against Scotland with 62,502 watching on.
The Round of 16 was up next for Brazil at the stadium, but it ended in defeat this time for the Brazilians as Claudio Caniggia scored the single goal in a 1-0 win for Argentina to send Brazil home on 24 June, with 61,381 attending.
62,628 people attended the last game of the World Cup played here to watch the Semi-final between West Germany and England on 3 July 1990. The game ended 1-1, and extra-time and eventually penalties followed, where West Germany defeated England 4-3 in the shootout.
Demolition of the stadium was completed in Feburary 2009, and the new Juventus Stadium was built on the same site.
Stadio Sant’Elia
Built in 1965, and former home of Cagliari between 1970-2017. The stadium held 40,919, and underwent major restructuring to be able to host at the 1990 World Cup.
The stadium held all three of England’s Group games, starting off on 11 June with a 1-1 against Republic of Ireland with a crowd of 35,238. The next game was another draw on, this time a 0-0 between England and Netherlands. On 21 June England won against Egypt 1-0 in front of 35,000 people.
Cagliari presented plans for a new stadium in 2015, and the project was approved in 2017. The stadium was closed and partly demolished by 2019. In 2017 the new Sardegna Arena was built in the parking lot of the old stadium.
Pontiac Silverdome
Opened in 1975 in Pontiac, Michigan, and former home to NFL team Detroit Lions between 1975-2001, the stadium held just over 80,000, and held four matches at the 1994 World Cup.
Almost 74,000 people attended the Group A game between host nation USA and Switzerland on 18 June with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Switzerland returned for their second game on 22 June, this time comfortably defeating Romania 4-1 with a crowd of 61,428 people.
24 June saw the first of two Group B games take place at the stadium. Sweden took on Russia first with 71,528 attending to watch Sweden win 3-1. Sweden were back for their second game of Group B, this time against Brazil on June 28, with both teams playing to a 1-1 draw, with 77,217 people watching.
Without a permanent residence since 2002, the stadium stood until it was finally fully demolished in March 2018.
Giants Stadium
Built in New Jersey in 1972, and former home of the NFL team New York Giants between 1976-2009. The stadium held a maximum seating capacity of 80,242 and held seven games at the 1994 World Cup.
On 18 June, a Group E game between Republic of Ireland and Italy ended 1-0 to the Irish, in front of a crowd of over 75,000. Italy returned a few days later, with the Italians down to ten men early on, they still managed to find the winning goal as Dino Baggio scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win against Norway, with 74,624 people in attendance.
Group F then took centre stage here as 76,322 took to their seats to watch Saudi Arabia defeat Morocco 2-1 on 25 June.
It was then back to Group E, for Republic of Ireland and Norway on 28 June. The game ended 0-0, enough to send Ireland through to the next stage on goal difference.
The Round of 16 was up next for Giants Stadium, on 5 July, as Mexico took on Bulgaria, where 71,000 saw Bulgaria knock-out Mexico, winning 3-1 on penalties.
Bulgaria returned to the stadium for their Quarter-final against Germany in front of 72,000 on 10 July. Bulgaria won 2-1 and move on to the Semi-final.
74,110 people were in attendance to see Bulgaria and Italy in the Semi-final. Two goals from Roberto Baggio was the difference in a 2-1 win for Italy to send them to the Final.
Demolition on the stadium began on 4 Feburary 2010, and finished on 28 June 2010.
Foxboro Stadium
Breaking ground on 23 September 1970, and former home of the NFL team New England Patriots from 1971-2001. The stadium held a little over 60,000, and hosted six 1994 World Cup games.
The first of those was a Group D game in front of 54,456 people, where Diego Maradona would score his last ever World Cup goal, in a 4-0 win for Argentina against Greece on 21 June. 54,453 people witnessed a goalless draw between South Korea and Bolivia on 23 June. A couple of days later, Argentina won 2-1 with almost 55,000 attending. Nigeria won 2-0 against Greece on 30 June.
Italy won 2-1 against Nigeria and Spain in the round of 16 and quarter final.
By the late 1990s, the stadium wasn’t up to NFL standards, and the stadium was demolished in January 2002. It was replaced by Gillette Stadium and the Patriot Place shopping center.
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Commonly known as RFK Stadium, built in Washington in 1960. The stadium was the former home to NFL team Washington Commanders between 1961-1996. It held just less than 57,000, and hosted five games at the 1994 World Cup.
The first was a Group E game between Norway and Mexico on 19 June with a crowd of 52,395 watching on as Norway narrowly defeated Mexico 1-0.
50,525 watched Netherlands scrape past Saudi Arabia in Group F with a 2-1 victory.
Mexico returned to the stadium for another Group game, this time a 1-1 draw against Italy on 28 June.
It was back to Group F and Saudi Arabia on 29 June as they went on to beat Belgium 1-0.
It was a Round of 16 game for the last one here as Spain cruised by Switzerland 3-0 on 2 July, with an attendance of 53,121.
Plans were made to demolish the stadium by 2021, but costs pushed that back. On 5 July 2022, a few fires broke out in the stadium, while demolition is said to be completed by the end of 2023.
