- Luiz Felipe Scolari
Luiz Felipe Scolari, <small>ComIH</small> (born November 9, 1948 in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), also known as "Felipão" ("Big Phil"), is a Brazilian football coach, who led the Brazilian national team to victory in the 2002 World Cup. He has been the head coach of the Portuguese national team since 2003.
- Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose is a German footballer who plays as a striker. He currently plays for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, as well as the German national football team. He was the top scorer and thus the Golden Boot winner of the 2006 World Cup hosted by his country Germany, with 5 goals. Klose also scored 5 goals in his debut World Cup, the 2002 World Cup hosted jointly by the Korea Republic and Japan, giving him a total of 10 goals in World Cup finals.
- Nihat Kahveci
Nihat Kahveci is a Turkish football player for Spanish side Villarreal CF. He made his debut for the Turkish national team in 2000 against Sweden. Nihat plays predominantly as a forward but can also play as an attacking midfielder. Nihat is a product of Beşiktaş J.K.'s youth system and was discovered by Hurser Tekinoktay when Nihat played in Dikilitaş in 1996-1997 season. He joined the first team at Beşiktaş in the 1997-1998 season.
- Junichi Inamoto
is a Japanese football player who plays in midfield for Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Ahn Jung-Hwan
Ahn Jung-Hwan (born January 27, 1976 in Paju, Gyeonggi) is a South Korean football player; he made world headlines by scoring the winning golden goal for Korea against Italy in the 2002 World Cup second round and sending Korea into the quarterfinals. At the time, Ahn was on loan at Italian league side Perugia. His extra-time header dumped the three-time champions from the World Cup.
- Pablo Mastroeni
Pablo Mastroeni (born August 29, 1976 in Mendoza, Argentina) is an American soccer midfielder. He plays for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, of which he is its captain, and is a member of the United States national soccer team instead of the argentina national soccer team. Mastroeni moved to the United States from his native Argentina at the age of four.
- Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard 'Robbie' Fowler, born 9 April 1975, and commonly known as "God" by Liverpool F.C. supporters, is a respected English footballer who is currently linked with a move to a number of clubs having been released by Liverpool FC. Fowler's career began with Liverpool, with whom he made his debut in 1993. Fowler scored 120 premiership goals for Liverpool in an eight year period. He subsequently played for Leeds United and Manchester City F.C., …
- Lee Young-Pyo
Lee Young-Pyo is a South Korean football player, currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. He is also known to be a strong Christian, evident as he is often sighted trying to introduce Christianity to his fellow South Korean teammates. Lee is recognized for his excellent speed, skillful dribbling skills, and pin-point crosses. His current manager Martin Jol once called him: "the best left-back in Holland, …
- Lee Chun-Soo
Lee Chun-Soo is a football player from South Korea. He was a key member of his national team during the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also wrote a book on his World Cup experience, accusing then coach Guus Hiddink of excessively using foul language on players. Lee also criticized several teammates in the book. After the World Cup, Lee moved to Real Sociedad of Spain, becoming the first Korean to play in the Spanish La Liga.
- Philippe Troussier
Omar Troussier is a former French football (soccer) player and now a manager. Known as the "White Witch Doctor" for his success with African club teams such as Asec Abidjan of the Côte d'Ivoire and the national teams of Nigeria, South Africa and Burkina Faso, Troussier is best known as a coach for his time spent with the Japanese national team. Troussier coached Japanese national team from 1998 to 2002, winning the 2000 Asian Cup, …
- Bernd Schneider
Bernd Schneider (born November 17 1973 in Jena, Thuringia region) is a German football player. He currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, which he helped reach second place in the Bundesliga in 2000 and 2002. In addition, he plays for the German national team, including for the squads that reached second place in the 2002 World Cup and third place in the 2006 World Cup. On the field, Schneider goes by the nickname "Schnix", …
- Darius Vassell
Darius Warren Vassell (born June 13 1980 to Jamaican parents in Sutton Coldfield) is an English international footballer who plays club football in the Premiership at Manchester City. Vassell was raised in from Wylde Green and went to the Yenton Primary School in Erdington and John Willmott School, in Falcon Lodge, Sutton Coldfield. He first played football with local junior team Romulus in the Birmingham Boys League, An Aston Villa fan, …
- Christian Panucci
Christian Panucci (born 12 April, 1973 in Savona) is an Italian football (soccer) player, who currently plays for AS Roma of Italian Serie A. Panucci is a renowned defender who usually plays on the right-hand side. He is a fierce tackler and can also do some good when going up field. He started playing with Genoa in 1992, and then moved to AC Milan. Panucci later moved to Real Madrid (becoming the first Italian to play for the Spanish powerhouse), Inter, Chelsea, …
- Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assís Moreira is a Brazilian footballer, also known as Ronaldinho "Gaúcho" (due to him being from the Rio Grande do Sul state of Brazil), or simply and most commonly Ronaldinho. He became a naturalized Spanish citizen in January 2007. Ronaldinho, meaning "little Ronaldo", is better known in Brazil by the nickname Ronaldinho "Gaúcho", in order to distinguish him from Ronaldo (already called Ronaldinho in Brazil).
- Henri Camara
Henri Camara (born May 10, 1977 in Dakar, Senegal) is a Senegalese footballer who, as of 2005, plays for Wigan Athletic of the English FA Premier League. Camara played for Senegal at their surprising run at the 2002 World Cup, scoring two goals, one a golden goal, in the Round of 16 against Sweden. He was part of the 2004 and 2006 African Nations Cup squads as well. At club level, Camara began his career in France with RC Strasbourg (1998-1999), …
- Shay Given
Séamus John James "Shay" Given is an Irish football goalkeeper who currently plays for Newcastle United and the Republic of Ireland, and is regarded as one of the finest and most reliable custodians in the Premier League. He is also vice-captain of both his country and club. For Ireland, Given has been capped 80 times and was his country's starter at the 2002 World Cup.
- Danny Murphy
Daniel Benjamin "Danny" Murphy is an English football player. He is a midfielder and currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur, having been transferred to Charlton Athletic from Liverpool F.C. for £2.5 million on 10 August 2004, and to Tottenham Hotspur on 31 January2006 for £2 million.
- Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa (born July 21, 1955) is a football coach and former defender, born in Rosario,. He played as a defender in Newell's Old Boys First Division Team, but soon retired, and developed his career as coach in that team. He led Newell's to several wins in the early 1990s. In 1992 he moved to Mexico where he had spells in charge of CF Atlas and Club América. In 1997 he returned to Argentina to manage Vélez Sársfield.
- Willy Sagnol
William "Willy" Sagnol is a French international Defender currently playing for Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga. He was part of the French squad at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup. He is considered as one of the best right backs in professional football.
- Lee Dong-Gook
Lee Dong-Gook is a South Korean football player also known as the Lion King among his fans. He has played for several clubs, including Pohang Steelers and Werder Bremen of Germany's Bundesliga. He now plays for English Premiership club Middlesbrough. He was a member of the South Korea national football team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After the tournament he suffered many hardships, although he shone in the 2000 Asia Cup and finished top scorer with six goals.
- Trevor Sinclair
Trevor Lloyd Sinclair (born March 2, 1973 in Dulwich, London) is an English footballer who currently plays for Cardiff City. The versatile winger is able to play on both the left and right flanks. Prior to Manchester City, Sinclair played for Blackpool (1989-93), Queens Park Rangers (1993-98), and West Ham United (1998-2003). He earned 12 caps for England, four of which came in the 2002 World Cup, in which he was a last-minute replacement for the injured Danny Murphy.
- Thomas Gravesen
Thomas Gravesen (born March 11, 1976) is a Danish professional football (soccer) player who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premier League club Celtic. For the Denmark national football team, Gravesen was capped 66 times and scored 5 goals, from his debut in August 1998 until he ended his national team career in September 2006. He represented Denmark at the international Euro 2000, 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 tournaments.
- Walter Samuel
Walter Adrián Samuel (born March 22, 1978 in Laborde, Córdoba Province) is an Argentine football (soccer) player, who currently plays for Internazionale of the Italian league. Samuel started playing professionally in 1996 in Argentina for Newell's Old Boys, and a year later moved to Boca Juniors where he stayed until 2000. In that year AS Roma bought his contract for €19.8m. He gained notoriety as one of the best defense players of the Italian league, …
- Takayuki Suzuki
Takayuki Suzuki (鈴木隆行 "Suzuki Takayuki"; born June 5, 1976 in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese football player, currently playing for Yokohama F. Marinos. He played all four games at the 2002 World Cup, starting the first three and scoring in the 2-2 tie against Belgium.
- Hwang Sun-Hong
Hwang Sun-Hong was a South Korean football player; he announced his international retirement following the end of the 2002 World Cup tournament.
- Lee Eul-Yong
Lee Eul-Yong is a South Korean football player for FC Seoul. He previously played for Anyang Cheetahs FC and Bucheon SK in the Korean K-League, and was part of the South Korean national team at the 2002 World Cup and was one of Guus Hiddink's favorite players. He is capable of scoring free kicks similar to David Beckham's. He is notable for his goal against Turkey in the 3rd place match in the 2002 Fifa World Cup.
- Rudi Völler
Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler is a German former international football striker, and a former manager of the German national team. He won the FIFA World Cup in 1990 as a player and coached the national team to second place at the 2002 World Cup. He was born in Hanau, Hesse.
- Gary Breen
Gary Patrick Breen (born December 12, 1973 in Hendon, London), is an Irish footballer. He currently plays for Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has previously played for Maidstone United, Gillingham, Peterborough United, Birmingham City, Coventry City, West Ham United and Sunderland; he has also played for the Republic of Ireland on over 60 occasions. In the 2002 World Cup he scored a surprise goal in Ireland's first-round match against Saudi Arabia, …
- Gaizka Mendieta
Gaizka Mendieta Zabala is a Basque Spanish football player. He is a midfielder who currently plays for Middlesbrough of the English Premiership. Mendieta, born in the Basque Country, started his club career with Castellón in 1991 and moved to Valencia a year later. He became one of the most sought-after players in Europe after leading his club to two consecutive Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001. That led to a €48 million transfer to Lazio in 2001, …
- Hugo Viana
Hugo Miguel Ferreira Viana (pron. ; born January 15, 1983 in Barcelos) is a Portuguese football player. He plays for both the national team and CA Osasuna on loan from Valencia CF. He plays as a midfielder, both as an attacking player and as a winger. Hugo Viana is left footed and is known for his set-pieces. He started his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal where he won Young European Footballer of the Year, and was signed by Newcastle United for €12m.
- Jens Jeremies
Jens Jeremies is a German footballer. As of 2006, he has retired from professional football. Jeremies was born in Görlitz, a town in the former German Democratic Republic. He began his career in 1980 as a youth player with the local side "Motor Görlitz", and in 1986 he moved to Dynamo Dresden. In 1995, Jeremies transferred to TSV 1860 München. Then in 1998, he signed for city rival Bayern München, the club for which he would play the remainder of his career.
- Hugh Dallas
Hugh Dallas MBE (born October 26, 1957 in Motherwell, Scotland) is a former Scottish football referee. Dallas retired at the end of the 2004-05 Scottish football season. During his career he officiated at several major football events including Euro 2000, 2002 World Cup (in which he was the fourth official at the Final), the 1999 UEFA Cup final as well as several UEFA Champions League matches.
- Du Wei
Du Wei (February 9, 1982 in Luoyang, Henan) is a Chinese professional football player who plays in defence, as a centre-back for Shanghai Shenhua. In season 2005/06, he had a 6-month loan spell at Celtic in the Scottish Premier League (SPL). He was also a former captain of China's U-21 Football Team and China's Olympic Team in 2004. Before he transferred to Celtic in 2005, he had played for Shanghai Cable and Shanghai Shenhua.
- Claus Jensen
Claus William Jensen (born April 29, 1977) is a Danish professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder. He has recently left Fulham F.C. of the English FA Premier League. Jensen has played more than 40 games and has scored 8 goals for the Denmark national football team, and represented Denmark at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship tournaments.
- Henri Michel
Henri Michel is a former French footballer, who played as a midfielder and later went on to coach various national teams. In 2005, he helped Côte d'Ivoire qualify for their first-ever appearance in a world cup at the 2006 World Cup, he resigned from the post after the 2006 World Cup. Previously, he managed the French national team, guiding it to a third-place finish in the 1986 World Cup. In 1994 he managed Cameroon; from 1995-2000, he managed Morocco; and from 2001-2002, …
- Nelson Cuevas
Nelson "Pipino" Cuevas full name: Nelson Rafael Cuevas Amarilla is a Paraguayan footballer, who currently plays as a centre forward for Club América. Cuevas started his career at Club Atlético Tembetary, a lower division club from Paraguay, before moving to River Plate of Argentina in 1998. In the 2004-2005 season he was transferred to Club América of Mexico, who loaned him out to Pachuca where he was Champion in the year 2006.
- Rolando Fonseca
Rolando Fonseca Jiménez is a Costa Rican football player, who plays as a striker for Municipal Liberia. He is regarded as one of the country's most talented players of all time. Nicknamed 'El Principito', Fonseca has played for Comunicaciones in Guatemala, Independiente Medellín in Colombia, Pachuca and La Piedad in Mexico, Deportivo Saprissa, LD Alajuelense and currently for Municipal Liberia in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, he has played a total of 253 games, …
- Li Xiaopeng
Li Xiaopeng is a Chinese soccer player who played for Shandong Luneng of the Chinese Super League. He also played for China in the 2002 World Cup Korea/Japan. He retired in 2006 and is scheduled to join the coach team of the China national football team. He scored the first goal for Shandong Luneng with a lob from 40 meters during ACL 2005 in the 7-2 second leg loss against Al-Ittihad (Jeddah). He was well-regarded in China for his good ball-control and vision in passing.
- Jerko Leko
Jerko Leko (born April 9, 1980 in Zagreb) is a Croatian football player who currently plays for AS Monaco FC after joining on a free transfer from Dynamo Kyiv. He is well-known for his versatility, and can play anywhere in midfield. His career began with NK Dinamo Zagreb in 2000 in his native Croatia, although he was not an immediate success. After spending some time on loan at NK Sesvete, he became a regular starter in 2001/2002, helping Dinamo win the Croatian Cup.
- Cristiano Doni
Cristiano Doni (born April 1, 1973 in Rome, Italy) is a professional soccer player for Italian team Atalanta B.C.. Last season at Atalanta B.C. his hard working style, technique, playmaking skills and goals have made him a fan favourite, the kind of performances which have mad him a favourite where ever he has played, especially in his previous stint at Atalanta. He played for Italy in the 2002 World Cup.