Following the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade a few weeks before the tournament , organizers feared the Chinese team would pull out of the World Cup . However , the team played as planned and reached the final , and the presidents of the United States and China exchanged congratulatory messages . The closing of the U.S. embassy in Beijing also affected the visa process for the North Korean team and staff , as the country did not have formal diplomatic relations with the U.S. , but their visas were approved in time for the tournament
bombing of the Chinese embassy
United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade
1999 FIFA Women's World Cup