The national game has fallen into decline and officials, including Borislav Mihaylov who was the 1994 goalkeeper, want the state to step in and rescue it.
"Football is a social phenomenon and I believe that the state should take care of it," Mihaylov, now the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) president, told reporters. "We're trying hard to keep a decent level but it's not enough."
"The most important thing was that we managed to unite the whole nation," Ivaylo Yordanov, who played in five matches during the 1994 finals, told Reuters at the anniversary match on Friday. "We did something that many politicians have failed to do so far."
"It's difficult to explain how we managed to achieve that," midfield maestro Krasimir Balakov told Reuters. "Let's just say that God was Bulgarian that summer."
Stoichkov, who was the tournament's joint top scorer with six goals, was on the mind of the Italians before the ensuing semi-final.
"How will you stop Stoichkov?" a journalist asked Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi before the game.
"I don't know, maybe with a pistol," replied Sacchi.
Bulgaria came close to another upset but lost 2-1 to Italy, complaining that French referee Joel Quiniou had not awarded a penalty for a "clear hand ball" in the penalty area.
"God was still on our side but the referee was French," said the straight-talking Stoichkov after the final whistle.
Bulgaria's journey to the finals had begun with speedy winger Emil Kostadinov earning them a sensational victory over France in Paris with a goal from virtually the last kick of their final qualifying match in 1993.
The painful defeat, Bulgaria's 17th game without a win in six World Cup finals,
