Bulgaria's Golden Generation | USA 1994 | FIFA World Cup

It happens every so often that a plucky underdog emerges from the FIFA World Cup and stuns us with their heroics.

At USA 1994, the team pulling off some of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history was a fearless Bulgaria side - featuring Hristo Stoichkov, Yordan Letchkov and more. This is their story.

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[fifa]

What do you think is the World Cup's best underdog story?

[gustavomoran]

The best Mexican team Vs the best Bulgarian team. They were equally matched and the penalties decided the winner. As Mexican I had a lot of hopes in our national team but much respect to this Bulgarian team.

[AmSi]

I remember supporting our balkan neighbours vs Germany and jumping like crazy when Letchkov scored the second goal.

Greetings from Albania 🇦🇱

[georgebailey]

I chose them as my team to support in 94 because England failed to qualify and Boncho Genchev was a player at my club. What a fantastic team, especially Stoichkov. I hope Bulgaria have another golden generation.

[oast]

I hope Bulgaria can return to big stages in the future. The 1994 WC was incredible for them. What a squad they had!

[marcioalexandre]

I was a big fan of this team in 1994.
Stoichkov and Letchkov were amazing players.
Greetings from Brazil.

[franzbeck]

great Bulgaria, my colleagues and I are thrilled with you in this cup.
hugs from Brazil!

[ViscaBarca-FCB]

I can't believe that, guys! Thank you for dedicating this video for my country! Support from Bulgaria!

[MrLewis-lkus]

Letchkov's 1994 Goal against Germany is one of my all time World Cup Favorites

[DeeJay]

This team was just so inspiring, I just couldn't help but get behind them in USA 94. I knew Stoichkov was great at the team from watching Barcelona on Scorio in Wales but the the rest were unknown to me. Oh those heady days when the world cup would open ones eyes to new talents from around the globe!

[marcuslavaggi-bowen]

I love how they gave out bronze medals to the Bulgarians despite losing the play-off for third!. Kennet Anderson once said that he saw the Bulgarians coming up to the podium, but did not notice exactly why, as he was too busy celebrating with his Sweden team mates. He was later shown video footage and was like “I’m still learning so much from my experiences at that tournament”.

Such fantastic times and as a 13 year old, I fell in love with your country and now I am finally visiting next year in Sofia!❤️❤️❤️

[nikolaypavlov]

I was 10 years old back then. The happiest summer of my life!

[petar.stoyanov]

It is hard to describe the joy a whole nation felt that summer. Nothing has ever got Bulgaria as united as this summer. I remember my friends and I (was 12 at the time) getting outside and changing the names of all players, shouting "Bulgarian heroes" with all of our lungs. Brings tears to my eyes just remembering this. Even more so, knowing that there's little chance of such thing happening again in my lifetime, seeing what Bulgarian football had become....

[notorious]

well after we knocked out Germany no one would accept the victory also against Italy... The referee was terrible

[jacovferro]

At 94 i was 13 years old and i see greatest teams that year Romania Sweden Nigeria and of course Bulgary with hirsto stoicov ivanov mihailov kiriakov letchcov Emil kostadinov very brave team they made a great world cup greetings from Houston

[kurtstark]

that free kick from stoichkov and the header from letchkov will be in my memorie forvever what a mattch

[ivanperkovic]

Imagine if we had a Bulgaria vs Romania final that year !!! 😩😳🇧🇬🇷🇴

[jokersbrother]

Krassimir Balakov, probably the best Bulgarian player in the Bundesliga of all time

[DanielSilva-gfkk]

Some of these players are still remembered and have the fans respect in Portugal. Especially Balakov, Iordanov, Kostadinov and Mihaylov who were top players in the Portuguese league. What a fantastic squad they had.

[yanislavklimentov]

The team was unique! If the referee vs Italy was honest we could play final