FRANCE 98 
 
        The 16th Soccer World Cup playoff will take place in June 6th at France.  This is the third countries that have held World Cup for two times after Mexico and Italy.  The last time that France held World Cup is 1938 just 60 years before this year.

        World Cup is the most important soccer game in the world.  The country that can hold this playoff games is more excited.  But more important is World Cup playoff always grows up the economy of that country.  In 1997, the new World Cup 98 official poster is shown.  12-12-97 the draw of each group took place at France.  World Cup 98 has the most team to play than before.  It has 36 teams and no. of games is 64.
          World Cup 98 playoff divides into 8 groups and each group has 4 team.  Each team needs to play 3 games within their groups' teams.  The first two place can advance to the second round.  The loser will be kicked out.
             After a month of competion, France, the hostage, won the last World Cup of this century by beating 4 times World Cup winner -- Brazil, 3 - 1.

Photo of France 98
Details of the team in 3rd-
Croatia
   Group Standing
 

World Cup 98 --- in number.
GAMES:
Teams 168
Games Played 643
Goals 1,922
PLAYOFF GAMES:
Teams 32
Players 704
Games  64
Referee 34
People who pick up the ball at the side of the field 1,768
Media:
 
Total no. reporters  12,000
Total no. reporters (magazine, newspaper) 3,200
Carmerman 840
Total no. reporters (Boardcast co.) 4,000
Total no. of the other media (radio, live) 4,000

The draw of each group of
World Cup 98