2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8

The five teams in this group played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner Italy qualified for the 17th FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan. The runner-up Romania advanced to the UEFA Play-off and played against Slovenia. Italy conceded two unexpected draws against the lowest-ranked sides in the group, but won the big matches comfortably, and were established as group winners long before the end of the campaign. Romania lost both games against Italy but had five wins out of six in the other matches, and second place was likewise ensured early.