JOIN USFIFA's decision to stage the finals in the United States was a brave one, even though it failed to realise the goal of establishing soccer as a major sport there in the immediate years afterwards.
It did, though, produce a fine World Cup, marred only by a drab 0-0 draw in the final.
In a sense, it was a World Cup held in a bubble.
Around the stadiums, or in the cities where matches were played, there was a level of local interest and the competition did produce the biggest total attendance figures in World Cup history.
But millions of Americans had no idea the World Cup was happening in their country and, if they did, they were not in the least bit interested.
The champions were now playing as a unified German team and were expected to do well.
So, too, were Brazil and Italy. It was an open World Cup and it produced surprises.
Romania, with Gheorghe Hagi in his pomp, and Bulgaria, with Hristo Stoichkov pulling the strings, flew the flag for the newly liberated Eastern European nations.
The tournament followed the same pattern as 1990 with 24 teams moving into a knockout stage, which is where Argentina, the United States and the Nigerians went out.
The US did well to reach the last 16 following a 2-1 win over Colombia in Pasadena on June 22. But it was a match remembered now for terrible reasons because it cost the innocent Colombian defender Andres Escobar his life.
He put through his own net in the first half to give the United States the lead and was murdered when he went home the following week because Colombia's subsequent defeat cost heavy gamblers big money losses.
Argentina, whose skipper Diego Maradona was suspended after testing positive for doping, lost 3-2 to Romania while Brazil and Italy eventually battled through to the final in Pasadena.
Then, for the first time in World Cup history, the final was decided on a penalty shootout after a dour goalless draw under a blistering sun.
Brazil, led by Dunga won it 3-2 after the "Divine Ponytail" Baggio, who had been Italy's hero with six goals, blasted his penalty high over the bar.