The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final (officially titled the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, sometimes referred to as the Soccer World Cup) is scheduled to take place in Germany between June 9 and July 9, 2006. for the tournament is already complete, with the 32 confirmed competing teams. The 2006 finals are the 18 to be played.
A total of 12 German cities have been selected to host the World Cup finals. Stadium capacities shown are all seated capacities. Many of the stadiums have larger capacities for German domestic football matches, as some of the seats are replaced with bleachers. Starting with Germany 2006, the winner of the last World Cup had to qualify for the final. Only the host nation automatically qualifies as of 2006.
In the process of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the six FIFA confederations were allocated a share of the 32 available berths based on the strength of their teams. The final distribution was as follows: Europe – represented by UEFA: 51 teams competing for 13 places (Germany automatically qualified as host nation for a total of 14 places); Africa – 51 teams; South America – 10 teams; Asia – 39 teams; North America, Central America and the Caribbean – 34 teams, Oceania – 12 teams.
For the first time in history, the defending champion (Brazil) is not automatically qualified. The hosts (Germany) will keep their automatic spot. In 1934, the defending champions (Uruguay) refused to participate and the hosts (Italy) had to qualify, but in tournaments between 1938 and 2002 (inclusive), the hosts and defending champions had automatic berths.
The original distribution of places among the six confederations required Oceania to have a full place among the 32 finalists; however, this idea was seen as giving Australia a virtually certain place in the final, being by far the strongest footballing nation in their region. This decision was reconsidered in June 2003 and the previous distribution of seats between Oceania and South America was restored.
The main surprises in Germany’s European qualification for the World Cup were the absences of Turkey, who finished third in 2002 (eliminated by Switzerland after a momentous play-off), Greece, European champions in 2004 (eliminated by Ukraine) , and Denmark (eliminated by Ukraine). also), Russia (eliminated by Portugal) and Belgium (eliminated by Serbia-Montenegro and Spain). In Africa, 2002 quarter-finalists Senegal (eliminated by Togo) and established teams South Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria (respectively eliminated by Ghana, Ivory Coast and Angola) unexpectedly missed out on the trip to the final. The other zones did not suffer major shocks. Although it represents Oceania, since the beginning of 2006 Australia has been part of the Asian Confederation, and will represent Asia in the following World Cups.
If the teams are tied on points at the end of the group stage, the tied teams will be ranked as follows: highest number of points obtained in the matches between the tied teams, goal difference in the matches between the tied teams, highest number of goals scored in the matches between the tied teams, goal difference in all group stage matches, highest number of goals scored in all group stage matches, tiebreaker on neutral ground, with extra time and penalties yes it is necessary (in the qualifying phase), draw (in the final phase). This is a change from the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where total goal difference was the first tiebreaker.
Thirty-two years after the last soccer World Cup in Germany, the 2006 FIFA World Cup will once again take place in Germany. For the first time after the reunification of the two German states, the whole world will look towards the New Germany, located in the heart of Europe.