Circle Shaped FIFA World Cup Korea

The commemorative stamp collection has been issued every year from 1996 when Korea's co-hosting of the FIFA World CupTM was announced. This series which honors the grandeur of the FIFA World CupTM as well as its global aspect, will see its last issuance as the 2002 FIFA World CupTM finally kicks off on May 31, 2002. In this global festival for all soccer fans in the world, 32 nations will advance to the final competition including China and Saudi Arabia from Asia (AFC), Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia from Africa (CAF), Costa Rica, Mexico and USA from North and Central America (CONCACAF), Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador, Brazil and Uruguay from South America (CONMEBOL), Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey from Europe (UEFA) in addition to the host nations of the Republic of Korea and Japan.
The qualifying teams seeded into eight groups will participate in a total of 64 matches held in 20 cities in Korea and Japan starting with the opening match in Seoul World Cup Stadium on May 31, 2002. The match for third place will be held on June 29 in Daegu and the championship match in Yokohama, Japan on June 30.
These World Cup commemoratives, issued in a circular shape for the very first time in Korea, feature football players formed with photographs of enthusiastic football fans from across the world. The margin of the sheet displays the flags of the 32 nations that will participate in the final competition. Exciting matches by the world's best footballers are eagerly anticipated.