The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th edition of the FIFA World Cup, an international association football competition that serves as the championship for men's national teams. It was held in Japan and South Korea from 31 May to 30 June and was contested by 32 teams.[1] Each national association was required to name a provisional squad of 23 players, expanded from 22 in previous tournaments,[citation needed] by 21 May 2002.[2]
The players' ages, caps and clubs are listed as of 31 May 2002, the opening day of the tournament. The oldest player was defender Jan Heintze of Denmark at 38 years, 293 days old; the youngest was Femi Opabunmi, a 17-year-old midfielder for Nigeria.[3]