Fifa Wprld Cup 2006 Germany

Ronaldinho: There’s nothing better in football

2007-06-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

Ronaldinho: There’s nothing better in football: Your first FIFA World Cup was in 2002. What did it mean to you?
Ronaldinho: The initial feeling you get is that of fulfilling a dream. Every player dreams of pulling on the national team shirt, of playing at a World Cup. And when I got there, that was the feeling I had: that I was fulfilling my dream, and that I was experiencing the biggest event in football, the World Cup.

The build-up to that tournament was not easy. How did it feel going into your first FIFA World Cup with the pressure of proving to Brazil that you were worthy of replacing Romario?
It was tough getting there because Brazil has enough good players to be able to field several national teams. At that moment in time, the whole of Brazil wanted to see Romario play in the qualifying campaign. But the coach didn't agree and so had to endure all that pressure. I joined up with the team for the final few friendly games, right after the qualifiers were over. I joined up in the middle of all this turmoil, that's why it was tough going. But it was wonderful, particularly because I came away victorious and fulfilled an ambition that I'd had since I was a child.

You joined up with the squad straight after the qualifying phase was over, and took part in the final pre-FIFA World Cup preparations. How did you get on with the more experienced players?
Very well because I'd already played for the national team at the 1999 Copa America. After I was transferred from Gremio to Paris Saint-Germain, there was a problem which meant that I couldn't play for my club or the national team for five months. That was towards the end of the qualifying phase and that's why I didn't play in many of the qualifiers. By the time I'd started playing again the qualifiers were almost over. That's why I only joined up with the squad for the pre-tournament preparations. But I had a good relationship with the others because I'd already played alongside them at previous competitions and was really friendly with them all. That's why it was very easy to fit in.

Even though you had played for the national team before, the FIFA World Cup is quite different. How did you feel going into your first game?
The World Cup really is different from any other tournament, because everybody knows it's the greatest competition in football. That's why everybody is so anxious to play in one someday. When you get there, you can see just how special it is from the moment you take to the field. To experience the emotion of wearing your country's colours in the biggest competition of them all, knowing that the whole world has stopped what it's doing to watch the game. There's no doubt that it feels completely different from any other competition.

The team appeared to grow stronger after each victory. What were things like behind the scenes?
Every moment was wonderful because we knew exactly what our objectives were. There were a lot of young players taking part for the first time, and others for whom it was their third or fourth World Cup. They knew what it would be like. Our eagerness and motivation combined well with their experience, and that's why we all had such a good relationship. Whenever we were together, we kidded around a lot and tried to learn more about our opponents. Every moment we spent there was fantastic.

Which game do you remember most from the 2002 FIFA World Cup?
Every game was remarkable. During a World Cup there's no way you can say that one game is better than another. But the World Cup Final is always the biggest game. There was also the match against England, which was full of incident. Those were the two most memorable games.

Let's talk a little bit about the game against England. Before taking that famous free kick, did anybody give you any advice?
Well, a foul was awarded a long way from goal, and Cafu told me to try and hit it straight in because the keeper was off his line. So I shot and the ball went in. Not exactly where I wanted it go but I still ended up scoring.

Not long after scoring that goal, you were given a straight red card for a tackle on Danny Mills. How did it feel to go from hero to villain within such a short space of time?
It was a very tough transition because, at that point in the game, I was determined to do everything I could to help the team. It was a stupid incident, since I wasn't even on a yellow card and suddenly I was sent off. I went into a state of semi-shock, because I didn't expect that to happen.

You missed the semi-final through suspension and came back into the side for the Final. As the team took to the field, and in the opening minutes of the game, did you discuss how you were going to line up?
We used to talk a lot all the time. We all used to talk to each other about things at our training base. Before the game, we did the same thing. During the game, we knew how we were going to play and the experience of the other players helped a lot because they had been through it more than once and that calmed us down a lot. That's why these moments were easy to handle, by drawing on the experience the older players passed on to us. That helped a lot so when we took to the field we already knew what we had to do.

Who used to shoulder the biggest responsibility for talking the team through each game?
We all had a great deal of belief in each other, especially after the game against England, as we talked to each other a lot during that match. We really grew in confidence after that game, and things began flowing more naturally. Cafu was a very experienced player, having played at several World Cups. He pointed out a number of things to us, as did Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, who'd also taken part in tournaments of this kind.

How did it feel to hold the FIFA World Cup Trophy in your hands at the closing ceremony?
At that point you are the champions, but it still hasn't sunk in yet. You celebrate, but you still don't quite realise that you really are a world champion. I myself was only totally sure once I got back to Brazil and started travelling around. That's when I saw the impact the title has. When you're all still out there on the pitch, there is so much celebrating going on that you don't even realise that.

Do you remember how you felt when you held the Trophy for the first time?
I remember. It was when we were doing our lap of honour. At that moment I thought about the long road I had taken to get there, from children's teams all the way up. At a time like that, all kinds of memories flood into your head.

How does it feel to touch it again?
It's a special feeling, because there's nothing better in football. Being privileged enough to win that competition and hold that Trophy is the best feeling there is, because of everything involved in football and the sheer importance of a World Cup. Every time I touch that Trophy it gives me goose bumps and that's what motivates me to take part in one, two or three more World Cups and to win it again.
Is it a work of art? Do you think it could be a museum piece?
No doubt about it. It has left its mark. I think that it's one of the best-known objects in the world. Everybody knows what the World Cup Trophy looks like. You'd struggle to find many people on the street who wouldn't recognise it. That's why there's no doubt
FIFA.com

FIFA World Cup Trophy Winners

2007-06-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Winners
Lifting the FIFA World CupTM Trophy is the pinnacle of any footballer's career. Step back in time with some of those who have been fortunate enough to do just that, as they share their memories in exclusive video interviews.

World Cup Legends

2006-10-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of legendary players who all made great contributions to their teams and became heroes for millions of fans world wide due to their achievements in the World Cup. Current stars like Ronaldo and Zidane are not added as they will most likely feature in future World Cups. Only retired World Cup stars or players who will not feature in future tournaments will be here. There are links to many of these players other places on this World Cup site as well, but here they are all gathered.Gabriel Batistuta, Paolo Maldini and Romario will be added soon!

BAGGIO, Roberto- The Italian star of the 1990s.
BANKS, Gordon - One of the best goalkeepers in history. World Cup winner for England in 1966.
BARESI, Franco - The outstanding central defender of the past 15 years. Runner-up for Italy in 1994.
BECKENBAUER, Franz - Probably the greatest defender in the game of all time. World Cup winner in 1974.
BERGOMI, Giuseppe - Faithful and reliable Italian defender and World Cup winner as an 18 year-old in 1982.
BONIEK, Zbigniew - One of the best players in the world in the early 80s. Helped Poland to bronzemedals in 1982.
BREHME, Andreas - Great German left-back who was matchwinner in the 1990 final.
BREITNER, Paul - Controversial and classy German full-back and later midfielder. World Cup winner 1974.
BUTRAGUEÑO, Emilio - Great Spanish center-forward of the 1980s.
CARECA - Best Brazilian striker of the 1980s. Scored 7 goals in his two World Cups.
CEULEMANS, Jan - Great Belgian player and one of Europe's best midfielders in the 1980s.
CHARLTON, Bobby - Arguably the greatest English player in the greatest era of their national team. World Cup winner in 1966.
CRUIJFF, Johan - Playmaker and captain for the Dutch team that invented the Total-Football.
CUBILLAS, Teofilio - Great Peruvian striker who scored 10 World Cup goals.
EUSEBIO - Portugal's greatest ever player. Topscorer of the 1966 World Cup.
FILLOL, Ubaldo - Probably the greatest South American goalkeeper ever. World Cup winner for Argentina in 1978.
FONTAINE, Juste - French record holder for most goals in a single World Cup. 13 goals in 1958.
GARRINCHA - Brazilian winger and great dribbler. World Cup winner in 1958 and 1962.
HAGI, Gheorghe - Romanian captain and playmaker in three World Cups. One of the best players in the world in the 1990s.
HURST, Geoff - World Cup winner in 1966. Hat-trick hero in the final.
JAIRZINHO - Another great Brazilian winger. Member of the magical World Cup winning team in 1970.
KEMPES, Mario - The man who did everything in 1978. Topscorer and World Cup winning hero for Argentina.
KLINSMANN, Jürgen - Great German striker with 11 goals from three World Cups. Winner in 1990.
KOCSIS, Sandor - Goalmachine for Hungary as they won silver in 1954. Topscorer with 11 goals.
KRANKL, Hans - Great Austrian striker regarded as one of Europe's top players in the late 70s.
KROL, Ruud - Elegant Dutch defender. Member of the Total-Football teams of the 1970s.
LATO, Grzegorz - Winner of two bronzemedals for Poland. Topscorer in 1974 with 7 goals.
LEONIDAS - Perhaps the greatest pre-war Brazilian player. Topscorer in 1938 with 8 goals.
LINEKER, Gary - Perhaps the greatest English striker in modern time. Topscorer in 1986 with 6 goals.
MAIER, Sepp - Legendary German goalkeeper of the 1970s. World Cup winner in 1974.
MARADONA, Diego - One of the all-time greats. Played 21 games in four World Cups and won the 1986 WC almost singlehandedly.
MATTHÄUS, Lothar - Only outfield player with five tournaments. Captained West Germany to the title in 1990.
MEAZZA, Giuseppe - The great star and member of two Italian World Cup winning teams in 1934 and 1938.
MILLA, Roger - The "super-sub" who turned Cameroon into a world class team at the age of 38 in 1990. Played in three World Cups.
MONTI, Luis - Only player to have played for two countries in a WC final. Winner in 1934 with Italy.
MOORE, Bobby - Classy English defender and captain of their 1966 World Cup winning team.
MÜLLER, Gerd - The World Cup's all time topscorer with 14 goals. World Cup winner in for West Germany 1974 and topscorer in 1970 with 10 goals.
NEESKENS, Johann - Dutch midfielder with a powerful shot. Beaten finalist in 1974 and 1978.
N'KONO, Thomas - Greatest African goalkeeper ever. Member of Cameroon's memorable 1990 team.
OVERATH, Wolfgang - Hardworking German midfielder with a great left foot. World Cup winner in 1974.
PASSARELLA, Daniel - The great central defender who captained Argentina to the title on home soil in 1978.
PELÉ - The only man to win three World Cups. Scored 12 goals in the four World Cups he played in.
PLATINI, Michel - May be the greatest French player of all time. Captain for two great teams in 1982 and 1986. Played in three World Cups.
PUSKAS, Ferenc - One of the greatest players of all time. Captain of Hungary's marvellous team in 1954.
RENSENBRINK, Rob - Dutch forward and penalty expert. Twice silvermedalist in 1974 and 1978.
RIVA, Luigi - All time topscorer for the Italian national team. Silvermedalist in 1970.
RIVELINO, Roberto - Attacking Brazilian midfielder with a powerful shot in the 1970s. World Cup winner in 1970.
ROSSI, Paolo - The skinny forward who became topscorer in 1982 on 6 goals as well as helping Italy to their first post-war World Cup title.
RUGGERI, Oscar - Commanding Argentinian central defender. World Cup winner in 1986.
RUMMENIGGE, Karl-Heinz - Arguably the greatest German player of the post-Beckenbauer era. He is the only captain to lose two World Cup finals.
SCARONE, Hector - Inside-forward of Uruguay's 1930 World Cup winning team.
SCHIAFFINO, Juan - Influential Uruguayan player who helped his team win the World Cup in 1950.
SCIFO, Enzo - Creative Belgian playmaker with great vision. Played in four World Cups.
SCIREA, Gaetano - Elegant and fair playing Italian defender. World Cup winner in 1982.
SEELER, Uwe - The only player, apart from Pelé, to have scored in four different World Cups. Reached three semifinals, but never won the cup.
SKOGLUND, Lennart - Excellent Swedish winger of the 1950s. Beaten finalist in 1958.
SOCRATES - Elegant Brazilian midfielder and captain of their "Dreamteam" in 1982.
STÁBILE, Guillermo - Topscorer of the very first World Cup in 1930 with 8 goals. Helped Argentina to the final.
STOITCHKOV, Hristo - Temperamental Bulgarian striker who was topscorer at the 1994 World Cup.
TOMASZEWSKI, Jan - Superb Polish goalkeeper who contributed so much to his team winning bronzemedals in 1974.
VALDERRAMA, Carlos - Skillful and creative playmaker who captained Colombia in three World Cups.
VARELA, Obdulio - Captain of Uruguay's team that won the World Cup in 1950.
VOGTS, Berti - Tough German defender of the seventies. World Cup winner in 1974.
VÖLLER, Rudi - Prolific goalscorer for Germany in the eighties and early nineties. World Cup winner in 1990.
WALTER, Fritz - Playmaker and captain of West Germany's 1954 World Cup winning team.
YASHIN, Lev - Probably the greatest ever goalkeeper. Played for the Soviet Union in three World Cups.
ZICO - Regarded by many as the best player in Brazil since Pelé. Despite playing in three World Cups, he never managed to play in a final.
ZOFF, Dino - Another legendary goalkeeper. Was the oldest ever winner of the World Cup when he captained Italy to the title in 1982.
ZUBIZARRETA, Andoni - Great Spanish goalkeeper with four World Cups under his belt.

Theo Walcott - Why the World Cup won't faze me

2006-08-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

England World Cup Profile 2006 Video

2006-08-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

England World Cup Profile 2006 Video

2006-08-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

Italy Vs France - Ceremony

2006-07-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

Italy Vs France highlits video

2006-07-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

World Cup Final Italy vs France Goals Video

Fifa world cup 2006 Brazil out to redress balance

2006-07-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

Fifa world cup 2006 : Brazil out to redress balance

For many Brazilians, Saturday's eagerly-anticipated quarter-final against France carries an extra edge. The Seleção's 3-0 defeat in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final against Aime Jacquet's French side still lingers in the collective memory, meaning media and fans alike have a score to settle.

Judging by the rhetoric coming from the Brazil camp this week, however, nothing could be further from the minds of the players. Revenge does not enter into it. Instead in a game that will pit club colleagues against one another, there will be mutual respect and friendship between players on both sides.

As Brazil captain Cafu explained, the reigning champions simply cannot afford to approach the match with thoughts of getting their own back. "It's not revenge, it's a game. If we carry that feeling into the match, it won't be good for us," he said.

Cafu was Brazil's starting right-back on that fateful night of 12 July 1998 but he added that every player in the squad was focusing solely on the present: "That sense of revenge comes from outside the squad. As far as we are concerned, I’m sure that no player has spoken about it. We mustn't let it affect us."

Past encounters
When Brazil and France met in Saint-Denis, they had already played each other twice in the final stages of the FIFA World Cup, winning one game apiece. France's 3-0 Final win gives them a slight historical edge over the five-times champions going into this latest match.

The nations' first encounter was in the semi-finals of the 1958 finals in Sweden. That was the year the great Pele announced his arrival on the world stage, and against the French, the boy who was to be king did not disappoint. He struck a hat-trick as the South Americans ran away with the game, winning by five goals to two, and booking their place in the Final. There they play their Swedish hosts and defeated them by the same scoreline.

Fast forward 28 years to 1986. In Mexico, the two teams were among the favourites for the Trophy when they met at the quarter-final stage in the heat of Guadalajara. The game finished 1-1 after extra time, French keeper Joel Bats making a crucial penalty save from Brazil’s creative inspiration, Zico.

A penalty shoot-out ensued, which France won 4-3, but not without controversy. Les Bleus' hard-working midfielder Luis Fernandez fired his spot-kick against a post but then saw his effort roll into the Brazilian net off the back of the unfortunate goalkeeper, Carlos.

Twelve veterans of '98
The main difference between Saturday’s match and those that went before is that both sides will field players with first-hand experience of the countries' last meeting. No fewer than 12 players, six from each side, took part in that 1998 Final.

On the Brazilian side, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo started the match, while Dida, Emerson and Ze Roberto were on the bench. The Seleção’s coach in France, meanwhile, was Mario Zagallo, currently assistant to Carlos Alberto Parreira. Of Raymond Domenech’s France squad, Fabien Barthez, Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram were in the starting XI, while Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Patrick Vieira took their place among the substitutes, with Vieira coming on for the last 15 minutes of the game.

After ’98, we won the World Cup in 2002, the Confederations Cup in 2004, we won our qualifying group, and the Copa America in 2004," said the Real Madrid player. "That helps us to forget what happened in 1998."

[Source from : fifaworldcup.yahoo.com]

Fifa world cup 2006 England VS Portugal

2006-07-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

The extent of the history between England and Portugal is such that the most difficult question is over knowing where to start.

Does one, for example, go back 40 years to the fateful meeting between Eusebio and Co and Sir Alf Ramsey’s side in the 1966 semi-final? Or perhaps just two years, to when the teams’ last meeting was settled by the most dramatic of penalty shoot-outs at UEFA EURO 2004?

That, of course, is without even mentioning the fact that Portugal’s coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, has masterminded England’s demise at their last two major championships, or that he performed a very public U-turn when approached about succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson. That, indeed, is a story all in itself.

Intrigue is added to the mix for this particular encounter by the fact that England, by their own admission, have reached the quarter-finals without yet producing a performance worthy of a squad widely agreed to be the country’s most talented in a generation. We always want to play well it just hasn't happened for us at this tournament, David Beckham conceded this week. "We haven't played as well as we can and we know that. But we're in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and some very talented teams have gone out.

"In every way we can do better and we know it, echoed Eriksson. "You haven't seen the best of us yet and hopefully you will see it on Saturday. The key is that everything must work out well. Everyone will be important and I expect everyone to do their job out there for 90 minutes.

Portugal, meanwhile, are celebrating reaching this advanced stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in four decades, although they have been riled this week by English press coverage that described their team as "insubordinate and violent" after a tempetuous Round of 16 clash with the Netherlands that saw the yellow card brandished on no fewer than 16 occasions.

"Unbearable, unfair and preposterous," was the reaction that description prompted from Portuguese team spokesman Afonso de Melo, who also hit out at the Sun, England’s top-selling newspaper, for printing a ‘false’ interview with Pauleta in which derogatory quotes about Eriksson’s goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, were attributed to the Paris Saint-Germain striker.

Many believe that Saturday's game will be won and lost in a midfield area where the Portuguese are sure to be weakened by the absences of Deco and Costinha, and Beckham has admitted that keeping possession and dictating play long seen as a perennial English weakness is likely to be a key factor.

"It's up to us to pass the ball around well," he said. "We know, as a team, and as players, that we can do that, and doing it on a big stage like this is important because Portugal will pass the ball around well. It's in their nature, that's the way they play. They're going to have a certain amount of possession, but hopefully we will too."

Colours for the game
England: White shirts, navy blue shorts, white socks
Portugal: Port red shirts, port red shorts, port red socks

The teams England have been boosted by their first-choice right-back, Gary Neville, declaring himself fit to play after recovering from a calf injury. Owen Hargeaves, who deputised admirably for the 80-times-capped Manchester United defender against Ecuador, could now replace Michael Carrick in the midfield holding role.

Portugal, meanwhile, are likely to start with Petit in place of Costinha, and Scolari could ask Luis Figo to move inside to fill the creative void left by Deco’s absence, having seen the veteran Inter Milan midfielder excel in this role against Angola in his side’s opening match at Germany 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has been given an 80 per cent chance of shaking off a thigh injury picked up in that bruising battle against the Dutch.

The duel
When these sides met at EURO 2004, the most intriguing personal battle was that between Ashley Cole and Ronaldo, both of whom were evidently fit, fired-up and on top of their respective games. Two years on, neither is in peak condition, with Ronaldo having been forced off and reduced to tears against the Dutch by a high challenge from Khalid Boulahrouz, and Cole only just back from a long injury-enforced lay-off.

Nevertheless, the Arsenal left-back declared himself 100 per cent fit and feeling good after England’s narrow win over Ecuador, and there is no doubt he will need to be if Portugal’s skilful young winger is in the mood. Neville, a team-mate of Ronaldo’s at Old Trafford, had this warning for his England colleague: "The thing with playing Cristiano is that you can play brilliantly for 89 minutes and then he can produce that magic moment in the 90th. It is only when you come off the pitch, and he's not scored or set up a goal, that you can say you did well against him."

Past meetings
Over the past 45 years, these sides have met on ten occasions, four of which have been at major championships. England won the first, 2-1 at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, but Portugal have since gained ample revenge, winning 1-0 at Mexico 1986 and twice emerging triumphant at UEFA European Championships, 3-2 in 2000 and 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 2004.

What they are saying
Sven-Goran Eriksson, England manager: We're trying to play good football but the most important thing we have to do is to win the football game. You don't get a premium for beautiful football. Ghana played wonderful football, vory Coast played wonderful football, Holland played wonderful football, Spain played wonderful football. And where are they now? At home. To win the World Cup I'm prepared to do whatever. If that means to play bad football, then come on, who cares?
Pauleta, Portugal striker: We are not afraid of anyone. If you know something of Portuguese history, you know we are a country that respects everyone and wants to be respected, and that we fear nothing.

[Source from : fifaworldcup.yahoo.com]

Defensive errors won't happen again Sven

2006-07-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has admitted ensuring there is no repeat of England's woeful second half defending against Sweden will be his number one priority as he prepares for the second round clash with Ecuador.

England gifted the Swedes both goals from set-pieces in the 2-2 draw in Cologne.

And Eriksson is aware England can ill-afford a repeat performance if they come up against top quality sides later in the tournament should they win Sunday's last 16 meeting in Stuttgart.

He said: "First on the table will be defending set-pieces because that was awful against Sweden. I'm sure it will not happen again.

Ronaldo Scores Goals and Proves a Point

2006-07-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ronaldo Scores Goals and Proves a Point

Brazil's Ronaldo, top, celebrates his goal with bench teammates during the World Cup Group F soccer match at the World Cup stadium in Dortmund, Germany, Thursday June 22, 2006. The other teams in Group F are Australia, and Croatia. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (Martin Meissner - AP)
BERGISCH GLADBACH, Germany -- Ronaldo proved an old adage in the World Cup. Form is temporary, class is permanent. The striker had been criticized for being overweight and performing poorly in Brazil's first two matches before he scored two goals to seal a 4-1 win over Japan on Thursday that secured the top spot in Group F.

Ronaldo's 13th and 14th World Cup goals tied him with Gerd Mueller as the competition's career scoring leader. Not bad, considering Ronaldo failed to score and was substituted in both earlier games.

"Ronaldo is back," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "We always believed in him, we think he's a special player and that's why we kept him."

The striker first scored with a header in first-half injury time in the defending champion's win over Japan. He then added a second in the 81st with a right-footed shot from 20 yards.

It was a relief for the 29-year-old Ronaldo, who had to deal with a series of distractions since arriving for the World Cup a month ago, including a weight controversy and a string of minor health problems.

"Goals bring confidence as well as winning games," Ronaldo said. "In the next games I hope I can keep on scoring."

He was crucial in the 2002 World Cup, leading the tournament with eight goals in seven matches, including both in the 2-0 final win against Germany.

But Ronaldo's evident weight gain as he arrived for this year's tournament as well as his lackluster performance in Brazil's first two games led to questions about whether he was still up to scoring goals.

Earlier this month, Ronaldo described the stir over his health as "ridiculous" and said he felt on top form after Thursday's game.

"I'm confident in my body, physical ability and condition," Ronaldo said. "I wasn't in the best shape because I went 45 days without training but we followed a specific training program and today I'm much better."

Ronaldo's teammates were ecstatic at seeing him return to his old level.

"It's good to know we can rely on Ronaldo and know he will be getting the goals for us," Cicinho said.

Ronaldo put on weight after enduring a series of injuries with Real Madrid this season and Brazil's physical trainer Moraci Sant'Anna on Wednesday revealed the striker weighs 199 1/2 pounds, almost 19 pounds more than listed by FIFA.

But Sant'Anna, who said the striker lost nearly 11 pounds since arriving for Brazil's training camp, said he was proud of Ronaldo's dedication and performance.

"I think he deserves the most merit," Sant'Anna said. "Because he's been aiming for this physical state, trying to do everything and even a little bit more during the morning period while the others are off."

Sant'Anna maintained that continued attention to Ronaldo's fitness could help improve his play even more.

"He still has room to improve, he has space. I think that as we started the muscle training work about a week ago we hope that we start to see the results starting from now," Sant'Anna said. "I think one thing helps the other. When a player is better physically this helps to improve his technique."

While Ronaldo said he would stick to his efforts to keep fit, he said he still wanted to find some time to take a break after Brazil's victory over Japan.

"I'm very happy with my performance, with the two goals and with Brazil's victory," Ronaldo said. "Now it's time to rest and think about the round of 16."

Highlights Germany vs. Costa Rica Opening Match World Cup 2006

2006-06-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Italy vs USA Germany 2006 World Cup Highlights

2006-06-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Highlights of the nasty match between the Azzurri and USA.
italy usa world cup germany 2006 calcio italia

Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden Highlights Video

2006-06-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

Highlights from the Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden world cup match
Trinidad Tobago Sweden Football World Cup 06 Soccer

Argentina v Holland Highlights World Cup Final 1978 Video

2006-06-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Argentina Holland World Cup 1978

Australia vs Japan World Cup 2006 action Highlights Video

2006-06-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

more highlights from the historic game with anthem and extended goal footage! What a Game!
Australia Japan football World Cup Socceroos Cahill Kewell Viduka Aloisi Hiddink

Highlights Serbia and Montenegro vs Netherlands Video

2006-06-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

Beckham bends it to send England through in to Quarter Final

2006-06-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

BERLIN (Reuters) - Captain David Beckham delivered one of his trademark bending free kicks to beat Ecuador 1-0 on Sunday and send an otherwise toothless England team through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Among the pre-tournament favourites, England struggled to create chances for the fourth straight game and were saved early on when defender Ashley Cole rushed back to get a foot on Ecuador striker Carlos Tenorio's close-range shot, deflecting it on to the bar and over.

Beckham came to the rescue one hour into the match, curling a perfect long-range kick into the right corner of keeper Cristian Mora's goal to put England through.

They join former champions Argentina and Germany in the last eight and will face the winner of Sunday's night match between Portugal and the Netherlands.

"It was ugly at times and we haven't played to our full potential but we're happy tonight. We're through to the quarter-finals," Beckham said after the match in the southwestern city of Stuttgart.

Beckham was sick on the pitch during the second half of the match and said he had been feeling unwell before the match.

With Michael Owen out of the finals with a knee injury, England's Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson elected to play 20-year-old striker Wayne Rooney alone up front.

That strategy backfired, with England failing to create a single goalscoring opportunity in a scrappy first half. The Beckham goal re-energised the side and both Rooney and midfielder Frank Lampard had scoring opportunities as the final whistle approached.

IMPROVEMENT NECESSARY

But England will probably have to improve significantly if they are to advance against Portugal or the Netherlands.

The Dutch, relying on occasional flashes of brilliance from wingers Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, emerged from a tough Group C with two wins and a draw.

They face a Portugal side that has lost only once against them in nine previous meetings and beat them 2-1 in the European championships two year ago -- the last loss for the Netherlands in a competitive match.

Portugal's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to the championship in 2002, will be looking to extend his run of 10 consecutive victories in World Cup matches.

England's fans caused trouble in Stuttgart in the days leading up to the match.

Local police detained 400 English fans on Saturday after fighting broke out with German supporters. The rival groups threw bottles, tables and chairs in a square in the city centre before riot police intervened.

On Friday, 122 English fans were held for aggressive behaviour.

"Anybody who is with any group that throws bottles or other missiles, that will not be tolerated," Stuttgart police chief Siegfried Stumpf said.

Argentina Vs Serbia And Montenegro

2006-06-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Argentina 6:0 serbia And Montenegro

England World Cup Goals by peater Croach Video

2006-06-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

Steaven Gerard World cup Best Goal Video

2006-06-16T05:14:00.000-07:00

England Team

2006-06-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson

Star Players: Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, John Terry

Tournament Best: Winners 1966

Last Time: Lost to Brazil in Quarter-finals

Qualifying: Top of European Group 6

Top Scorer In Qualifying: Frank Lampard 5

England go into this World Cup with a huge weight of expectation behind them, and it is easy to see why.

Sven Goran Eriksson has perhaps the best squad of players England has seen since Italia 90 and they will be expected to go at least as far as Bobby Robson's semi-finalists.

With Wayne Rooney in the side, anything is possible. He can be the one genius that any World Cup winning team needs.

In Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, England boast the best defence in international football.

The only question marks are in midfield, where a lack of a holding player or any orthodox wingers means England give their defence little protection, and have no width.

Eriksson will have to come up with a plan B this time, and if things start to go wrong, he will have to know which of his squad players can make the difference.

David beckham

2006-06-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

7 David Beckham
Position: Midfielder
Born: 02.05.75
Club: Real Madrid

David Beckham will mark a decade in international football by leading out his country at Germany 2006. He is one of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world and will be the figurehead for England's quest for a first world crown in 40 years.

The Real Madrid midfielder fulfils many roles - icon, trademark, ambassador, celebrity - which matter little on the pitch. Beckham's critics suggest Sven-Goran Eriksson values these almost as much his skipper's footballing skills, but nevertheless, those skills are plentiful.

Creativity with commitment is the combination on which Beckham has built his reputation. Few can match his passing range, even less can deliver a ball with the deadly accuracy that has provided countless of England goals in recent years. And when the going gets tough, Beckham clearly relishes the fight, and his stamina levels remain formidable.

However, his desire to win has been known to develop into something of an appetite for destruction. A series of red cards for club and country in late 2005, and the struggle to calm another England hothead in Wayne Rooney, have increased the calls for a change in captaincy.

France 98 notoriously ended in disgrace for Beckham, while injury prevented him from showing his true class at Japan/Korea 2002. One hopes it will be third time lucky when football's biggest superstar appears in the 'greatest show on earth' once again.
Thnx to ITV.COM

England Vs Pagaruai

2006-06-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

England 1 : 0 Paraguai

These two teams have met just twice previously with England coming out on top both times.
· England are yet to concede a goal to Paraguay and have scored seven against the South American's.
· Captain and Centre back of Paraguay Carlos Gamarra went through all four of his country's games in the 1998 World Cup in France without committing a single foul.
· The 2006 World Cup will be Paraguay's seventh and the first time they have qualified for three in a row.
· Paraguay have made the second round in their last three World Cups, but have never managed to go any further.
· Paraguay are currently ranked 33rd in the FIFA World rankings, 23 places below England who are currently ranked 10th.
· English midfield man Frank Lampard was England's top goal scorer in qualification with five goals.
· England conceded just five goals in their ten qualifying games; only four teams in the entire European zone conceded fewer.
· In 18 qualifying games Paraguay both conceded and scored 23 goals.
· Paraguay's Jose Cardozo netted seven goals in qualification; in the South American zone only Brazil's Ronaldo found the back of the net more times.
· Michael Owen and Sol Campbell have played in all of England's games at the last two World Cups
· Michael Owen has scored in his last two World Cup Finals matches

2006 FIFA World Cup™ and Congress at centre of discussions

2006-06-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

2006 FIFA World Cup™ and Congress at centre of discussions

Munich, 03 June 2006 - A number of FIFA committees will be meeting in Munich between 3 and 5 June 2006, with the spotlight falling on the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ and the 56th FIFA Congress.

On 3 June, the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup™ will concentrate on last-minute preparations for the year’s main football event, dealing in particular with information on the opening of the tournament as well as various other issues.

The FIFA Executive Committee will meet on 4 and 5 June. The agenda for the meeting features a number of points, including the ratification of dates for the confederations’ competitions in 2007 and 2008 for inclusion in the coordinated international match calendar, updates on legal disputes that FIFA is currently involved in (e.g. G-14, Charleroi case) and a report on the most recent discussions between FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency. Also on the agenda is a proposal to amend the FIFA Statutes to allow the creation of a new, independent Ethics Committee, which would then be submitted to Congress for approval, as well as various other Congress-related matters.

Meeting programme:

Saturday, 03.06.2006
09.00 FIFA Finance Committee Bayerischer Hof
13.00 Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup™ Bayerischer Hof
NEW: 16.00 Media conference Bayerischer Hof

Sunday, 04.06.2006
10.00 FIFA Executive Committee (part I) Bayerischer Hof

Monday, 05.06.2006
09.00 FIFA Executive Committee (part II) Bayerischer Hof
13.00 Media conference Bayerischer Hof

Wednesday, 07.06.2006
13.00-15.30 Opening of the 56th FIFA Congress ICM

Thursday, 08.06.2006
09.30-16.00 56th FIFA Congress ICM
15.00 (to be confirmed) Media conference ICM

FIFA Organisation

2006-06-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

The 56th FIFA Congress opens tomorrow at the ICM (International Congress Messe) in Munich and will be shown LIVE here on FIFA.com.

Proceedings will begin at 1pm CET on 7 June 2006 and resume at 9.30am the following morning, with a media conference to follow its conclusion at around 3pm.

Wednesday 07.06.06
13.00-15.30 Opening of the 56th FIFA Congress ICM

Thursday, 08.06.06
09.30-16.00 56th FIFA Congress ICM
15.00 (to be confirmed) Media conference ICM

FIFA World Youth Championship 2005

2006-06-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

The hosts Netherlands set the tournament alight again with a 3-0 win over Australia to clinch Group A. Drama in Group F where Brazil go top but Nigeria taste late, bitter defeat against Korea Republic. Colombia march on in Group E and Syria spring a surprise by beating Italy. Relive the fifth match day from the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 in photos

David and Victoria Beckham hosted pre-World Cup party

2006-06-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

David and Victoria Beckham hosted pre-World Cup party
On Sunday night the celebrity couple England soccer captain David Beckham and Victoria welcome celebrities to a pre-World Cup party. Among 350 celebrities guests list were included England striker Wayne Rooney, former England captain Alan Shearer, golfer Nick Faldo, models Kate Moss and Ellen McPherson and rock star Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, all gathered in a huge garden of the Beckhams' mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire for the event.

Beckham's "Full Length and Fabulous" lavish party, which began with an aerobatics exhibition by four jets from The Blades air display team, was secured by the security guards who patrolled to prevent uninvited guests getting in.

Meanwhile, earlier this week a bidder won a pair of tickets to Beckham's pre-World Cup party after offering 103,000 GBP (193, 000 US dollars) in an Internet charity auction.

2006 FIFA World Cup - Germany

2006-05-29T02:07:00.000-07:00

2006 FIFA World Cup - Germany
FIFA Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft Deutschland 2006

Official logo
Teams 197
(final tournament: 32)
Host Germany
Champions - (- title)
Matches played 64
Goals scored -
(- per match)
Attendance -
(- per match)
Top scorer(s) -

The 2006 FIFA World Cup (officially titled 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, sometimes referred to as the Football World Cup) finals are scheduled to take place in Germany between 9 June and 9 July 2006. Qualification for the tournament is now complete, with all 32 competing teams confirmed. The 2006 finals are the 18th to be contested.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by MultiMedia and Nicolae Sfetcu

This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License

Football World Cup 2006 Germany
FIFA
FIFA World Cup
Qualification
Qualification AFC
Qualification CAF
Qualification CONCACAF
Qualification CONMEBOL
Qualification OFC
Qualification UEFA
Asia-CONCACAF Qualification Playoff
European Qualification Playoffs
Oceania-South America Qualification Playoff
Venues
Olympic Stadium
Signal Iduna Park
Commerzbank-Arena
Veltins-Arena
AOL Arena
AWD-Arena
Fritz Walter Stadion
RheinEnergieStadion
Zentralstadion
Allianz Arena
Frankenstadion
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion
Teams
Confederation of African Football
Angola
Côte d'Ivoire
Ghana
Togo
Tunisia
Asian Football Confederation
Iran
Japan
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Oceania Football Confederation
Australia
CONMEBOL
Argentina
Brazil
Brazil at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Ecuador
Paraguay
UEFA
Croatia
Czech Republic
England
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Serbia and Montenegro
Spain
Sweden
Ukraine
Switzerland
CONCACAF
Costa Rica
Mexico
Trinidad and Tobago
United States
Groups
Stages
Goleo
Pille
Miscellaneous
License

Iran have best team ever Football World Cup

2006-05-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hannover striker Vahid Hashemian believes Iran have their best side ever leading into the World Cup in Germany this summer. "We definitely have the best team in our history. This team is very intelligent and mature," he said at Iran's training camp.
Bayern Munich's 2004 Asian player of the year Ali Karimi agrees: "In my opinion, we currently possess an extremely strong team, which with just a couple of exceptions, is also extremely young. That makes the current team exceptionally good."
Hashemian bagged a brace in helping Iran to a 2-1 qualifying victory over Japan in Teheran. "That was a vital victory. Four days later, we traveled to Korea DPR and won 2-0, completing a giant stride towards qualifying," he said.
The experienced striker thinks the praise should be laid squarely at the feet of Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic.
"Plenty of foreigners come to Iran, but disappear again after just a few months. He's hung on in there up to now, and understands the character of the Iranian team. He knows how to get us motivated."
Ivankovic was similar in his praise of the European-based players.
"I'm exceptionally pleased with the players from Germany. Their Bundesliga experience means a lot to us, because they'll help us win matches," he said.
"The authorities gave me enough time to inject the players with my philosophy of the game," Ivankovic added.

FIFA to adopt new world rankings

2006-05-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

FIFA is adopting a new world soccer ranking system to rate the world's top teams.

This will be released on July 12, three days after the World Cup ends.

"We don't think it's that bad at all, but there is always room for improvement," FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said.

Under the ranking system, FIFA will take into account games played over the last four years.

Under the old system, it counted results over the last eight, which distorted current form.

FIFA's old system awarded team ranking points based on the importance of the games, relative strength of teams, goals scored and conceded, home or away, etc.

The new system takes into account most of the same factors, but weights them differently.

Major discrepancy

Under the old scheme, the United States rose to No 4 in April's rankings, its highest ever position.

The eye-popping rise occurred just a few weeks after the Americans were hammered 4-1 by World Cup host Germany.

"Maybe some guys were looking at that ranking a little bit too seriously," American goalkeeper Kasey Keller said after the loss.

The Americans have slipped slightly in the most recent poll, the last before the World Cup opens on June 9, into a tie for fifth with Spain.

Few serious soccer fans would place the Americans in the world's top 10, probably not even the top 15. A spot between 15 and 25 is more realistic.

Team rankings

Under FIFA's present system, five world soccer powers are ranked behind the US: France (8), Argentina (9), England (10), Italy (13) and Germany (19).

The only teams ranked ahead of the US in the May rankings were five-time World Cup champion Brazil, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Mexico.

Mexico's ranking also raises eyebrows. It probably should be ranked behind the Americans.

In the last 10 games between the two countries, the United States has won seven, including a 2-0 win in the round of 16 in the World Cup four years ago.

Mexico has two victories in that period.

Over a 20-game span dating back to 1994, the US have beaten Mexico nine times, with the Mexicans winning seven. Four were draws.

Seeking change

So why are the Americans and Mexicans so high in the present FIFA rankings?

Under the old system, FIFA gave the most weight to games in the World Cup finals, the continental championships and World Cup qualifiers.

The region in which the US is grouped, CONCACAF, plays a continental championship every two years. In Europe, it's every four.

In addition, CONCACAF plays almost 50 per cent more World Cup qualifiers than the average European country.

Under the new system, FIFA will adjust for these factors - and adjust more for the relatively weak CONCACAF group.

World Cup host Germany, which slipped to No 19, also suffered under the old system. As it qualified automatically for this World Cup, Germany played no qualifying games.

Egypt, the African Cup of Nations champion, is ranked two spots above Germany. Greece, the defending European champion, Tunisia, Uruguay and Iran are ranked right behind Germany. (AP)

Walcott's girlfriend asks media for privacy

2006-05-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

Walcott's girlfriend asks media for privacy

The teenage girlfriend of England World Cup squad member Theo Walcott today asked the media to respect her privacy while she revises for forthcoming AS-level exams.

Melanie Slade, 17, issued a joint statement with the Walcott family asking that they be left alone, just hours after she appeared at a charity publicity event.

The statement said that she would not be considering any of the "very kind requests for interviews or commercial offers" until after the World Cup.

[Read more]

--------------------------

Teddy's Opinion: The mass media should respect the privacy for the other people. Melanie Slade is a 17 year-old girl. I hate the mass media ignore the privacy.

Argentina : Pekerman selects 16 for Madrid meeting

2006-05-21T04:43:00.000-07:00

Argentina : Pekerman selects 16 for Madrid meeting

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman has revealed the names of 16 players he will be meeting next Monday and Tuesday in Madrid. The list, containing some notable omissions, offers the first concrete sign of what Pekerman's final squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup will look like.

Of the 16 players called up on Friday, all but one are European-based. The exception is Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri, who will fly to Spain on Sunday night after a key game in his country's Clausura championship.

According to a statement from the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the respective players' clubs had no objections to the meeting, which will not involve any physical work-outs or squad training. "The coach and his staff will take full advantage of the meeting to show videos, chat individually and collectively to the players, refresh concepts and assess the physical and medical well-being of those present," the AFA said.

Some sections of the country's media expressed surprise at the players not on the list, among them Javier Zanetti, Pablo Aimar and Martin Demichelis. However, several of these are involved in key end-of-season games with their clubs, and their absence does not rule out the possibility of inclusion in the final 23-man squad to be named on or before 15 May.

The list announced by Pekerman is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Valencia, Spain), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan, Italy), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain), Leandro Cufre (AS Roma, Italy), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, England), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal, Spain)
Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan, Italy), Luis Gonzalez (Porto, Portugal), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal, Spain), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United, England)
Forwards: Hernan Crespo (Chelsea, England), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain).

[Source from : fifaworldcup.yahoo.com]

England squad included Rooney and Walcott

2006-05-21T04:41:00.000-07:00

England squad included Rooney and Walcott

The injured Manchester United FC forward Wayne Rooney has been named in Sven-Göran Eriksson's provisional 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Striking problems
The 20-year-old broke a metatarsal bone in United's 3-0 defeat by Chelsea FC on Saturday 29 April. He is not expected to be fit again until the second week of June at the earliest, with England due to open their campaign against Paraguay on 10 June. Fellow striker Michael Owen is also in the selection after just recovering from a similar problem.

'A gamble'
There was also a shock call-up for 17-year-old Theo Walcott, who has yet to play in the Premiership for Arsenal FC. "I thought a lot about it during the last month," said Eriksson. "It is a gamble, of course it is a gamble, I can't deny that. But it is a nice one. He is a great talent, the pace he has is incredible. Michael Owen will be fully fit to train 100 per cent with us. It is just for us to wait and hope and see with Wayne Rooney."

England squad

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur FC), David James (Manchester City FC), Robert Green (Norwich City FC).

Defenders: Gary Neville (Manchester United FC), Sol Campbell (Arsenal FC), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United FC), John Terry (Chelsea FC), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool FC), Ashley Cole (Arsenal FC), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea FC).

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid CF), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC), Owen Hargreaves (FC Bayern München), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Joe Cole (Chelsea FC), Stuart Downing (Middlesbrough FC), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur FC).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC), Michael Owen (Newcastle United FC), Peter Crouch (Liverpool FC), Theo Walcott (Arsenal FC).

Standby: Scott Carson (Liverpool FC), Luke Young (Charlton Athletic FC), Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham United FC), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace FC).

[Source from : uefa.com]

Theo Walcott will get his World Cup chance.

2006-05-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sven-Goran Eriksson today has made it clear Walcott, along with the other England youngsters Lennon and Downing, stand a good chance of getting some action at the World Cup in Germany,
“I played Wayne Rooney when he was 17 in a qualification game against Turkey. In Portugal or Italy or Sweden no-one would say I’m not adventurous. I’ve always been ready to take out players and put in younger players if necessary. I hope to start with the best X1 and you know what that is. We have to wait on Rooney. But we have a lot of players starting on the bench who will be knocking on the door. I’ve always liked pace in football but if you don’t have it I can’t buy it in this job. I have to wait for it to come through.”
Two months ago though, Eriksson was singing somewhat a different tune,
“It’s very difficult to take a player without a cap to a World Cup. You never know but probably not, without closing all the doors. Going from the bench in a club team to international football in a World Cup, that step is extremely big.”
Rooney’s injury and doubts over Michael Owen have changed all that now.
Theo will get his fist chance to impress Eriksson and the rest of the country in an England B international against Belarus on May 25th at Reading.

Brasil World Cup PLayers

2006-05-19T05:11:00.000-07:00

Goalkeepers

1 DIDA Date of Birth:7 October 1973

12 ROGERIO CENI Date of Birth:22 January 1973

22 JULIO CESAR Date of Birth:3 September 1979

Defenders

2 CAFU Date of Birth:7 June 1970

3 LUCIO Date of Birth:8 May 1978

4 JUAN Date of Birth:1 February 1979

6 ROBERTO CARLOS Date of Birth:10 April 1973

13 CICINHO Date of Birth:24 June 1980

14 LUISAO Date of Birth:13 February 1981

15 CRIS Date of Birth:3 June 1977

16 GILBERTO Date of Birth:25 April 1976
Midfielders

5 EMERSON Date of Birth:4 April 1976

8 KAKA Date of Birth:22 April 1982

10 RONALDINHO Date of Birth:21 March 1980

11 ZE ROBERTO Date of Birth:6 July 1974

17 GILBERTO SILVA Date of Birth:7 October 1976

18 EDMILSON Date of Birth:10 July 1976

19 JUNINHO PERNAMBUCANO Date of Birth:30 January 1975

20 RICARDINHO Date of Birth:23 May 1976

Forwards

7 ADRIANO Date of Birth:17 February 1982

9 RONALDO Date of Birth:22 September 1976

21 FRED Date of Birth:3 October 1983

23 ROBINHO Date of Birth:25 January 1984

England World Cup Players

2006-05-19T05:08:00.000-07:00

Goalkeepers

1 ROBINSON Paul Date of Birth:15 October 1979

13 JAMES David Date of Birth:1 August 1970

22 GREEN Robert Date of Birth:18 January 1980

Defenders

2 NEVILLE Gary Date of Birth:18 February 1975

3 COLE Ashley Date of Birth:20 December 1980

5 FERDINAND Rio Date of Birth:7 November 1978

6 TERRY John Date of Birth:7 December 1980

12 CAMPBELL Sol Date of Birth:18 September 1974

14 BRIDGE Wayne Date of Birth:5 August 1980

15 CARRAGHER Jamie Date of Birth:28 January 1978

Midfielders

4 GERRARD Steven Date of Birth:30 May 1980

7 BECKHAM David Date of Birth:2 May 1975

8 LAMPARD FrankDate of Birth:20 June 1978

11 COLE Joe Date of Birth:8 November 1981

16 HARGREAVES Owen Date of Birth:20 January 1981

17 JENAS Jermaine Date of Birth:18 February 1983

18 CARRICK Michael Date of Birth:28 July 1981

19 LENNON Aaron Date of Birth:16 April 1987

20 DOWNING Stewart Date of Birth:22 July 1984

Forwards

9 ROONEY Wayne Date of Birth:24 October 1985

10 OWEN Michael Date of Birth:14 December 1979

21 CROUCH Peter Date of Birth:30 January 1981

23 WALCOTT Theo Date of Birth:16 March 1989

World cup Players German

2006-05-19T05:01:00.000-07:00

GOALKEEPERS
1 LEHMANN Jens Date of Birth:10 November 1969

12 KAHN Oliver Date of Birth:15 June 1969

23 HILDEBRAND Timo Date of Birth:5 April 1979

DEFENERS

2 JANSEN Marcell Date of Birth:4 November 1985

3 FRIEDRICH Arne Date of Birth:29 May 1979

4 HUTH Robert Date of Birth:18 August 1984

6 NOWOTNY Jens Date of Birth:11 January 1974

16 LAHM Philipp Date of Birth:11 November 1983

17 MERTESACKER Per Date of Birth:29 September 1984

21 METZELDER Christoph Date of Birth:5 November 1980

MIDFIELDERS

5 KEHL Sebastian Date of Birth:13 February 1980

7 SCHWEINSTEIGER Bastian Date of Birth:1 August 1984

8 FRINGS Torsten Date of Birth:22 November 1976

13 BALLACK Michael Date of Birth:26 September 1976

15 HITZLSPERGER Thomas Date of Birth:5 April 1982

18 BOROWSKI Tim Date of Birth:2 May 1980

19 SCHNEIDER Bernd Date of Birth:17 November 1973

22 ODONKOR David Date of Birth:21 February 1984

FORWARDS

9 HANKE Mike Date of Birth:5 November 1983

10 NEUVILLE Oliver Date of Birth:1 May 1973

11 KLOSE Miroslav Date of Birth:9 June 1978

14 ASAMOAH Gerald Date of Birth:3 October 1978

20 PODOLSKI Lukas Date of Birth:4 June 1985

World Cup 2006: Germany: Tickets Hotels Flights World Cup 2006

2006-05-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

World Cup 2006: Germany: Tickets Hotels Flights
World Cup 2006- Advertise Here -
Berlin Cologne Dortmund Frankfurt Gelsenkirchen Hamburg Hannover Kaiserslautern Leipzig Munich Nuremberg Stuttgart
Book your World CupHotel now!
www.octopustravel.com
The 2006 World Cup in Germany takes place from June 9 to July 9, 2006.
The opening game will be held in Munich's new AllianzArena with the final taking place in Berlin's Olympic stadium.
World Cup Ticket Swaps
The draw for the final stages takes place on December 9, 2005 in Leipzig when all fixtures in the opening group stage will be announced.

Berlin Apartment To Let
Check our World Cup 2006 Match Schedule for all the match days, city and stadium venues and local German kick off times.
World Cup Tickets
Beer Tours of Germany from Bier Mania!
Tickets for the 2006 Finals in Germany will go on sale on 1 February 2005. They will be available over the Internet from Fifa's official ticketing site. World Cup tickets are some of the most sought-after in World sport.
Learn Rapid German
For more detailed ticket sales information see our World Cup 2006 Ticket Information Section

Is Rooney Playing World Cup. faces injury D-day

2006-05-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Wayne Rooney's hopes of playing in the World Cup finals could be decided by May 25 when he undergoes another scan on his broken metatarsal.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will then have a better idea of whether the 20-year-old is likely to have recovered sufficiently to be part of his 23-man squad for Germany.
Eriksson will have until June 9 - the day before England's opening group game with Paraguay - to make any final decision on the Manchester United star.
But a negative reaction to the scan in eight days' time - on the day England take on Belarus in a 'B' international at Reading - would leave Eriksson in a quandary as to whether to gamble on including his most lethal weapon.
Eriksson said: "Wayne will have a scan on May 25. At least we will know much more how the situation is regarding him after that date.
"I don't have a date for when Rooney will join the England squad. It is difficult to say but we will know much more after that scan. Hopefully it is good news.
"I spoke to Wayne last week and he is working and doing everything he has been asked to do - and maybe even more than that.
"I have always been positive, not because of medical reasons but because he will do absolutely everything to try to get fit as quickly as possible."
Eriksson revealed Rooney is not even contemplating the possibility of losing his fitness battle after sustaining the injury against Chelsea on the penultimate weekend of the season at Stamford Bridge.
He said: "I don't think Wayne even believes that not being at the World Cup will be the case for him. He is desperate to play in the World Cup. He has no negative thoughts like that."

Gerrard may play in forward role

2006-05-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has not ruled out the possibility of using Steven Gerrard as a striker at the World Cup finals.

With Wayne Rooney a doubt with a broken foot and Michael Owen only just back from a similar injury, Gerrard has been touted for a forward role.
Eriksson said: "Steven Gerrard can play in a lot of positions and one is as a second striker.
"I'm sure he could play as first striker but a lot depends on Rooney."
Manchester United star Rooney is almost certain to miss the group stages of the tournament and is thought to be a doubt for the knockout after suffering a broken metatarsal last month.

Gerrard has scored 23 goals for Liverpool this season and calls for him to be given a more forward position were increased after his two-goal performance in the FA Cup final win over West Ham.
Eriksson added: "I have known for many years that Gerrard can play in a lot of positions.
"We haven't decided yet but he's useful wherever he plays. After 25 May we will know much better what's happening with Wayne Rooney.
"I hope we play with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen but once again Steven Gerrard is an option there."
Eriksson said he had no regrets about the gamble in picking Arsenal's teenage striker Theo Walcott as one of his four strikers.
The Swede added: "He looks to be very bright. It's not easy for him, of course, to settle in with a lot of good football players. It's a gamble and I'm happy I did it.
"He seems very stable and is just a young boy and of course he is happy to be here."

Sven Ericson boosted by trio

2006-05-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

England have enjoyed a day of fantastic good news - with Michael Owen, Jermaine Jenas and Wayne Rooney all on the comeback trail

Owen gave the Three Lions the biggest boost of all when he declared himself fit to play in the World Cup after hitting the net in a practice match at England’s pre-tournament training camp in Portugal this morning.But Tottenham star Jenas was also given permission to train again on Thursday after a shin injury while Rooney’s progress in recovering from a broken foot was praised by Sven-Goran Eriksson.Owen, who has played only one game since breaking a bone in his foot on New Year’s Eve, has been an injury doubt for the last five months. But he completed his second training session in two days with England in the Algarve and scored twice in a nine-a-side game."If there was a World Cup game tomorrow I would be in condition to play," he said."I am feeling fit. I have been feeling fit for quite a while now I am excited about the World Cup. There are no doubts at all in my mind about being fit for the first game against Paraguay. None at all."Of course it is a relief, but I was always confident. All the way through I have never been down about it, I always thought I would be fit."Owen’s recovery could hardly be better news for Sven and his England squad as they bask in the Portuguese sun. And the Newcastle striker looked extremely sharp in training.His recovery and Jenas’ progress leaves England with only Rooney to worry about, and the news for him could yet prove positive too.England Head Coach Eriksson said: "On 25 May we will know much more of the situation, that is the date of his next scan."I have always been positive. But not for medical reasons - I have been positive because he will do absolutely everything to try to get fit as quickly as possible."Wayne Rooney not in the World Cup, I don’t think he even believes that will be the truth. Of course he should be there.

Match Schedule World Cup 2006

2006-05-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

Group A
Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

1 09-Jun-06 Munich GER:CRC 18:00
2 09-Jun-06 Gelsenkirchen POL:ECU 21:00
17 14-Jun-06 Dortmund GER:POL 21:00
18 15-Jun-06 Hamburg ECU:CRC 15:00
33 20-Jun-06 Berlin ECU:GER 16:00
34 20-Jun-06 Hanover CRC:POL 16:00

Group B
Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

3 10-Jun-06 Frankfurt ENG:PAR 15:00
4 10-Jun-06 Dortmund TRI:SWE 18:00
19 15-Jun-06 Nuremberg ENG:TRI 18:00
20 15-Jun-06 Berlin SWE:PAR 21:00
35 20-Jun-06 Cologne SWE:ENG 21:00
36 20-Jun-06 Kaiserslautern PAR:TRI 21:00

Group C
Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

5 10-Jun-06 Hamburg ARG:CIV 21:00
6 11-Jun-06 Leipzig SCG:NED 15:00
21 16-Jun-06 Gelsenkirchen ARG:SCG 15:00
22 16-Jun-06 Stuttgart NED:CIV 18:00
37 21-Jun-06 Frankfurt NED:ARG 21:00
38 21-Jun-06 Munich CIV:SCG 21:00

Group D
Matchn Date Venue Teams Time/Score

7 11-Jun-06 Nuremberg MEX:IRN 18:00
8 11-Jun-06 Cologne ANG:POR 21:00
23 16-Jun-06 MEX:ANG 21:00
24 17-Jun-06 Frankfurt POR:IRN 15:00
39 21-Jun-06 Gelsenkirchen POR:MEX 16:00
40 21-Jun-06 Leipzig IRN:ANG 16:00

Group E Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

9 12-Jun-06 Hanover ITA:GHA 21:00
10 12-Jun-06 Gelsenkirchen USA:CZE 18:00
25 17-Jun-06 Kaiserslautern ITA:USA 21:00
26 17-Jun-06 Cologne CZE:GHA 18:00
41 22-Jun-06 Hamburg CZE:ITA 16:00
42 22-Jun-06 Nuremberg GHA:USA 16:00

Group F
Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

11 13-Jun-06 Berlin BRA:CRO 21:00
12 12-Jun-06 Kaiserslautern AUS:JPN 15:00
27 18-Jun-06 Munich BRA:AUS 18:00
28 18-Jun-06 Nuremberg JPN:CRO 15:00
43 22-Jun-06 Dortmund JPN:BRA 21:00
44 22-Jun-06 Stuttgart CRO:AUS 21:00

Group G
Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

13 13-Jun-06 Stuttgart FRA:SUI 18:00
14 13-Jun-06 Frankfurt KOR:TOG 15:00
29 18-Jun-06 Leipzig FRA:KOR 21:00
30 19-Jun-06 Dortmund TOG:SUI 15:00
45 23-Jun-06 Cologne TOG:FRA 21:00
46 23-Jun-06 Hanover SUI:KOR 21:00

Group H
Match Date Venue Teams Time/Score

15 14-Jun-06 Leipzig ESP:UKR 15:00
16 14-Jun-06 Munich TUN:KSA 18:00
31 19-Jun-06 Stuttgart ESP:TUN 21:00
32 19-Jun-06 Hamburg KSA:UKR 18:00
47 23-Jun-06 Kaiserslautern KSA:ESP 16:00
48 23-Jun-06 Berlin UKR:TUN 16:00

David Beckham's Best Goal Ever

2006-05-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Whoever wrote that beckhams scored in World Cup '92 couldnt be more wrong.
Frist of all there was no world cup that year, it was Italia '90 and then USA '94.
And even if there was, beckham wasnt even around at that time!! He scored that free kick in qualifying for World Cup 2002. Please know something about soccer before you post these dumbass comments.

Ronaldo Best goal & Raul

2006-05-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

a gorgeous piece of teamwork, but you all should watch Arsenal if you want more of this stuff. Ronaldo is a beast, but his hairstyle was terrible.

Fifa Wprld Cup Soccer Fifa Best 10 Goals Ever

2006-05-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

Zidane vs. Ronaldinho (Soccer's Best) Video

2006-04-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

Ronaldinho the best 50 goals Ever Video

2006-04-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

An early goal from Ronaldinho was enough to give Barca the points against Cadiz that mean they need just two more to take the title. The game also saw the reappearance of Xavi after a five month injury lay off.

Lenovo Group Limited today announced a cooperation with FC Barcelona, and its super star Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, otherwise known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho. Ronaldinho will be a Lenovo Worldwide Brand Ambassador. Ronaldinho, the FIFA World Player of the Year for two years running, currently plays for Barcelona and the Brazilian national team, and is expected to play a key role in Brazil’s defence of its World Cup title when the tournament begins on June 9, 2006.

Another Ronaldinho Best Goal

2006-04-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

Former Goalkeeper Schumacher thinks Lehmann will be Germany first option

2006-04-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Former Goalkeeper Schumacher thinks Lehmann will be Germany first option
Toni Schumacher, the West German goalkeeper from the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, believes that Jens Lehmann's body language suggests he will be wearing Germany's number one jersey at the 2006 World Cup.There is a competition between Bayern Munich custodian Oliver Kahn and Lehmann, but the issue has turned into a tedious soap opera in the German press and Schumacher believes Germany manager Jürgen Klinsmann will conclude it by picking Lehmann."I cannot see any reason not to choose Kahn but I get the impression that Jens Lehmann will be the one playing at the World Cup," Schumacher said. "Jens was so calm and relaxed when interviewed after Arsenal's recent Champions League game with Juventus. I felt then that he already knows he will be the number one.Germany coach Klinsmann has confirmed that he will make his decision by the beginning of May before naming his final 23-man World Cup squad on May 15.

Trinidad & Tobago announces World Cup Team

2006-04-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Most coaches are defining the final squad they will take to the World Cup. Just like Leo Beenhakker, Trinidad and Tobago's coach. He has announced a provisional 24-man squad he will take to Germany.One of the most important players is former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, now with Sydney. But the team also has British-based players in the squad include Coventry's Stern John, Port Vale's Chris Birchall, West Ham's Shaka Hislop and Gillingham's Ian Cox."Before making the final choice, we did our homework the best we could," Beenhakker told the press."I must protect the players also who brought us to Germany. They have to be credited and there must be balance in the group.The manager was honest: "I want to thank specially all the players who are not on the list but were on the road to Germany and I understand for the moment I have made 24 players happy."I really understand much better that I have disappointed now many players from Trinidad and Tobago. However, I can assure them that the decisions we made were made in relation to looking for the best of the team."Trinidad and Tobago list:Keepers: Kelvin Jack (Dundee), Shaka Hislop (West Ham), Clayton Ince (Coventry City)Defenders: Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham) Cyd Gray (San Juan Jabloteh), Marvin Andrews (Rangers), Brent Sancho (Gillingham), Ian Cox (Gillingham), Atiba Charles (W Connection), Avery John (New England Revolution).Midfielders: Silvio Spann (unattached), Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Aurtis Whitley (San Juan Jabloteh), Anthony Rougier (United Petrotrin), Anthony Wolfe (San Juan Jabloteh), Densill Theobald (Falkirk), Carlos Edwards (Luton), Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC), Russell Latapy (Falkirk).Strikers: Jason Scotland (St Johnstone), Stern John (Coventry), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Collin Samuel (Dundee), Cornell Glen (LA Galaxy)

Munich: Allianz Arena Stadium

2006-04-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Munich: Allianz Arena Stadium

This architecture masterpiece has a 66,000 capacity. The futuristic design features a smooth transparent shell - made up of hundreds of inflatable cushions - acting as a projection surface to cover the stadium in waves of different colors.
All 66,000 seats will be covered and the estimated cost of 280 million Euros makes the stadium the most expensive of the 2006 World Cup.

Nuremberg: Frankenstadion Stadium

2006-04-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

Nuremberg: Frankenstadion Stadium

With a capacity of 41,926 people,the arena operates a groundbraking "Eco Management and Audio Scheme", an environmental optimisation system designed to make the most efficient use of scarce resources.

Stuttgart: Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium

2006-04-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

Stuttgart: Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium

Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium has a capacity for 54,500 persons. The ground is home of VfB Stuttgart club. Total costs for the redevelopment and renovation of the stadium are estimated at 41-56 million Euros. Along with Berlin and Nürnburg, Stuttgart is one of the three stadiums for World Cup 2006 to incorporate a running track.

Cologne: Cologne Stadium

2006-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Cologne: Cologne Stadium

With a 40,590 capacity, the World Cup Stadium Cologne was opened in a friendly with the German national team playing.

Best soccer goals FIFA Best goals ever

2006-04-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

These are some of the best goals ever recorded in soccer

World Cup Fifa Fotball World Cup - Germany 2006

2006-03-22T16:18:00.000-08:00

The FIFA World Cup or "Football World Cup", "The World Cup", or simply "World Cup" is the most important competition in international football, and the world's most representative team sport event. Organised by Federation Internationale de Football Association the World Cup is contested by the men's national football teams of FIFA member nations. Since the second World Cup in 1934, qualifying tournaments have been held to thin the field for the final tournament. The 2006 Football World Cup will be in Germany. Here the Gemany Stadium where all matches and finals will be played: Berlin, Dortmund , Frankfurt , Gelsenkirchen , Hamburg , Hanover , Kaiserslautern , Cologne , Leipzig , Munich , Nuremberg and Stuttgart Stadium. Getting Tickets for these events will be very difficult, but not impossible... While the championship is awarded every four years, it is more of an ongoing event as the qualifying rounds of the competition take place over the three years leading up to the final rounds. The final tournament phase (often called the "Finals") involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period in a previously nominated host nation. Starting from the 1938 World Cup, host nations have received an automatic berth in the finals. Only seven nations have ever won the World Cup Finals. Brazil are the current holders, as well as the most successful World Cup team, having won the tournament five times, while Germany and Italy follow with three titles each. The next football World Cup Finals will be held in Germany between June 9 and July 9, 2006

Germany offer open training as gesture to Dortmund football fans

2006-03-22T16:17:00.000-08:00

Germany offer open training as gesture to Dortmund football fans

Germany, looking to head off a hostile reception, will hold a public training session in Dortmund next week, a day before playing a friendly against the United States, the German Football Association (DFB) said on Monday.

The decision to allow fans into training at the Dortmund stadium on 21 March, is aimed at rebuilding local goodwill towards the team and coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Officials fear Dortmund fans might boo Klinsmann and his team at the friendly after the coach said Borussia Dortmund defender Christian Worns would play no role in the FIFA World Cup.

"I can understand how the fans in Dortmund feel but they must accept the coach's decisions," DFB president Theo Zwanziger said last week. "We must all support the national team. We must go into this World Cup believing that we can win it."

Klinsmann controversially ruled out the seasoned Worns after the player had criticised the coach's management style in the media.

The national coach, under scrutiny since a 4-1 friendly defeat by Italy on 1 March, has also faced criticism for his decision to remain based in the US instead of moving back to Germany.

After arriving in Germany on Sunday, Klinsmann said he would spend most of his time in his native country from now until the start of the FIFA World Cup finals on 9 June.

A DFB spokseman said no banner hostile to Klinsmann would be tolerated in the Dortmund stands next week.

"The Dortmund fans have always supported the national team in an exemplary manner," Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said in a statement on Monday. "We are looking forward to meeting them again next week."

[Original contents from fifaworldcup.yahoo.com]

FIFA World Cup Football Trophy brings cheer to Bangkok

2006-03-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

FIFA World Cup Football Trophy brings cheer to Bangkok

Ever since details of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour itinerary were announced, the people of Thailand had been keenly waiting for the day of its arrival on 10 March.

The fourth and last port of call on the Trophy's South-East Asian odyssey, Bangkok pulled out all the stops to ensure that every football fan would be aware of the event. The event also brought a huge smile to a number of local disadvantaged children.

Football's popularity in Thailand is self-evident. On the streets of Bangkok, countless children sport the shirts of famous football teams and the bumpers of the famous little 'touk-touk' taxis are emblazoned with stickers of the leading English clubs. This popularity was borne out in the results of a recent poll which showed that in Thailand more people watch football on television than in any other Asian country.

Not bad at all for a nation which has never taken part in a FIFA World Cup, a state of affairs that every last Thai would love to see change. And the coming to town of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola could very well accelerate the process.

"The Trophy Tour will be a source of great joy to all Thai fans," said Worawi Maduki, a member of FIFA's executive committee and general secretary of the Thai Football Federation at a press conference. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I hope that it will encourage Thai players to work hard in training and to stay focused and disciplined so that one day, we can succeed in an international competition."

And what finer symbol of success than the most popular Trophy in the world? As part of his plan to get even closer to it one day, Thorn Sourapoom, coach of the national youth team, has decided to seek inspiration from those who know it best, five-times world champions Brazil.

"We're going to organise a training camp for the youth team in Brazil. I feel that spending time living in such a passionate football country will help us to improve," he explained as his proteges were photographed one by one with the Trophy. "Thai football is developing steadily and one of these days, we are going to take a big leap forward."

Combining pleasure with concrete help
For every last member of Thailand's football community, the visit to their country of the FIFA World Cup Trophy is an inspirational source of motivation. Whether for the senior national team, their female counterparts or the youth side present in Bangkok on Saturday, the message is the same, as Makudi explained: "Bringing this football icon to Thailand should encourage the young and all of Thailand's footballers to realise their dreams and fulfil all their potential."

The presence of the Trophy means the dreams of a few young Thais have already come true. The children from the Father Joe Association, which collects funds to help disadvantaged children, even saw two of their wishes realised within a quarter of an hour.

"During the film, at times I felt like I was flying through space! It was fantastic," beamed eight-year-old Suwan on the subject of the 3-D film presenting the origins of the Trophy. "Then, I saw the real World Cup, the same one which Michael Ballack is going to lift this summer!"

Other children have also benefited from the Trophy's fame. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhom's Foundation, established to implement educational programmes for youngsters, raised a significant amount of money at a Trophy-related auction organised by Coca-Cola Thailand on Saturday.

To commemorate the princess' 50th birthday, the company manufactured 50,000 collectors-item golden bottles in the image of the FIFA World Cup. Five of them, decorated with a jewel set with precious stones, were put up for auction on Saturday evening at Bangkok's Royal Parangon Hall. The sale raised over 500,000 bahts, equivalent to about 10,000 euros, including 250,000 for the last bottle alone. This money will be used to help the children cared for by the princess' foundation.

To symbolise the commitment of the Thai football community to this cause, each bottle was presented to the delighted new owners by a national sporting celebrity. Doing the honours were Chkedee Indaruk, Thai football's current wonder kid from the U-17 side; national karate champion Yanisa Toewattana; former Thai international Prasert Changmoon; national team coach Chanwit Polcheevin; and Pirom Anprasert, a Thai FIFA referee who officiated at Korea/Japan 2002.

As FIFA spokesman Emmanuel Maradas pointed out at the opening ceremony: "The FIFA World Cup Trophy is travelling to 29 countries on all five continents because it belongs to everyone. And because it brings happiness to everyone." This Saturday evening, the Trophy certainly had all Thai football-lovers in raptures, demonstrating once again that the beautiful game spreads happiness far beyond the confines of the pitch and terraces.

[Original content from fifaworldcup.yahoo.com]

World Cup team players to undergo doping test and medical checks up

2006-03-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

World Cup team players to undergo doping test and medical checks up

The players of all 32 competing nations at this year's World Cup finals will undergo both doping tests and medical checkups, FIFA the football's governing body as revealed.

This is a good move by FIFA for the well being of football players. I remember Cameroon International Marc Vivien Foe collapsing suddenly during the 2003 Confederation Cup match between his team and Colombia after a suspect heart attack. The chap lost his life because they couldn't resusitate him.

As a consequence of that tragedy, FIFA have now decided to have defibrillators, an apparatus that helps to restart a stopped heart, on hand at the 12 World Cup stadia.

Also, a minimum of four players from each team will be dope tested randomly before and during the month-long competition.

FIFA also said their doctors will carry out tests on players in the friendly matches which take place in April and may leading up to the finals.

Diego Maradona the Argentinian legend is the only high profile player to have taken recreational drug cocaine during the 1994 World Cup Finals

It looks like FIFA mean business this time around.

Japan can reach World Cup semis

2006-03-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

Japan can reach World Cup semis

Coach Zico believes that Japan can upset the odds and reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

The Japanese have improved as a team since they reached the last 16 of the competition in 2002 but to be honest I think they have a big job on their hands negotiating their way out of the first round with the likes of Brazil, Australia and Croatia for company.

Their defensive and offensive units will have to improve drastically under Coach Zico in the next 90 days before the World Cup kicks off to stand any chance of upsetting the odds.

I must say though that the Japansese have added an element of aggression to their game and the midfield unit of Ono, Inamoto and Nakata will again have the freedom to express themselves so who knows what will happen.

However reaching the semi-finals of this years competition may be a dream too far.

Ronaldinho Best Goal Ever

2006-03-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

world cup qualifier 2006

2006-02-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

The Football World cup 2006 in Germany will host 32 teams. Today on November the 17th 2005, all 32 are known. The draw to decide who will play who in the pool stages will be held on the 9th of December. The World cup itself kicks off on the 9th of June 2006.

So who else has qualified since our last update ? In short the following teams have qualified.

Qualified teams:

Germany, Argentina, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Angola, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Holland, Poland, England, Croatia, Italy, Tunisia, Portugal, Ecuador, Paraguay, Costa Rica, France, Serbia and Montenegro, Sweden, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Switzerland.

By Region

In Europe

Germany
Ukraine
Holland
Poland
England
Croatia
Italy
Portugal
France
Serbia & Montenegro
Sweden
Spain
Czech Republic
Switzerland
South America

Argentina
Brazil
Ecuador
Paraguay
ASIA

Japan
Iran
South Korea
Saudi Arabia

CONCACAF (North and Central America and Caribbean)

USA
Mexico
Costa Rica
Trinidad & Tobago

AFRICA

Angola
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Togo
Tunisia

Oceania

Australia

Football scores, news and travel guide

2006-02-17T17:20:00.000-08:00

Football scores, news and travel guide.
Soccerphile is the specialist site for information, accommodation, betting and tickets for Germany World Cup 2006, Switzerland Austria Euro 2008, Confederations Cup & South Africa World Cup 2010

Latest World Soccer News and Reports

2006-02-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

Latest World Soccer News and Reports

With special focus on the World Cup.
This news is a high quality feed produced by World Soccer News.com. It covers the major stories and breaking news in global soccer. Top global coverage brings with it the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and all the top action from the major world leagues and cups. This one is used as our default ticker because its so good. We recommend this channel as a must-have. Supplied by World Soccer News.com

World Cup Soccer

2006-02-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

World Cup Soccer

Striker Henrik Larsson signed with Sweden's Helsingborg team, making his move from FC Barcelona next summer official, Swedish public television SVT reported.

"I'm very happy," Larsson said in an SVT interview after signing the 18-month contract on Thursday.

Larsson will move into his newly-completed house in Helsingborg in southern Sweden and play for the local club, as well as the Swedish national team

What is a TST series?

2006-02-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

. What is a TST series?

TST stands for team specific ticket. TSTs are sold as so-called series, i.e. these tickets entitle you to attend a series of matches of your favourite team. You do not have to be a citizen of the country of your favourite team. A TST series will includes all of your teams preliminary round matches, and to the final round matches up to a stage of the tournament selected by you according to the type of TST.
There are five TST types available:

A TST 3 ticket entitles you to all three group matches of your desired team
A TST 4 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, and the round of sixteen match
A TST 5 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, the round of sixteen match, and the quarter-final match
A TST 6 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, the round of sixteen match, the quarter-final match, and the semi-final match
A TST 7 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, the round of sixteen match, the quarter-final match, the semi-final match, and the final match
A purchaser of a TST 4-7 ticket follows their team until that team is eliminated from the tournament. When their chosen team has been eliminated from the competition the customer will continue through the tournament following the team that has eliminated their chosen team from the tournament. If your desired team is eliminated in one of the final matches, with the TST being valid for subsequent matches, the ticket will be transferred to the winner of the respective final match. A corresponding rule applies in the case of that team being eliminated in turn.
TSTs are available in price categories 1 to 3. Up to four TST series can be ordered per household. (Household being defined as one surname per delivery address)
The price of a TST equals the prices of the total of the individual tickets plus a handling fee of 10 percent of the single ticket prices. The cost of travel between the different venues in Germany is not included in the TST price. The ticket of the respective match covers the fee for local public transport at the respective venue on the respective day and for the given times.

Which ticket types are available?

2006-02-17T17:13:00.000-08:00

. Which ticket types are available?

For the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany TM tickets will be offered for seats only. Available are single tickets and team specific tickets (TSTs) Single tickets entitle you to attend a particular match. TST series entitle you to attend a certain number of matches for a particular team.
Single tickets are available in four price categories. TST series are available in three price categories. As matters of principle, applications for single tickets exclude applications for TSTs, and vice versa. Therefore you will have to opt either for single tickets, or for TSTs.

Football Champion league

2006-02-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Football...... Champions League
The draw was made today for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The British teams are highlighted in bold for you.CHELSEA v Barcelona Real Madrid v ARSENALWerder Bremen v Juventus Bayern Munich v AC Milan PSV Eindhoven v Lyon Ajax v Inter Milan Benfica v LIVERPOOLRANGERS v VillarrealI think we are robbed of the classic final which would be Chelsea and Barcelona. They met last year in the early knockout stages and Chelsea prevailed back then but this year I think Barcelona have found another gear to their game. It's a tough one to call but I take Barcelona to edge it.Real Madrid and Arsenal looks like an attractive tie and I fancy Arsenal to extend their European journey into the last 8, not without some excitement though.Werder Bremen v Juventus. Lucky Juventus! I feel WB were the team all the other managers were hoping draw.Bayern Munich and AC Milan is the next best tie for intrigue. German efficiancy against Italian flair. It's a tough one to call and a season or two ago I would have fancied Milan but I wonder if the nightmare of last year's final is clear from their minds. If it's not, the Germans will exploit that. I don't know how to call it. Toss of a coin.PSV Eindoven v Lyon. I think both teams will have taken each other in avoidance of Barcelona or Chelsea but both have a chance. It will be a good match-up but since I nominated Lyon as my 'dark horse' for the tournament i a previous post, I'm going to run with them.Ajax and Inter Milan is another close call but I'm going with Inter only because Ajax are a young side and experience would be a valuable asset against a very 'hurtful' bunch of players.Benfica v Liverpool is another kind draw for the scousers. Benfica will be a test but Liverpool are on an impressive roll and will be too strong for the Portugese.Rangers and Villareal. This will be the end of the road for the Scottish team and Alex Macliesh as their manager. Ho hum, never mind.This round takes place on the 21/22nd February.

Which teams will be taking part in the 2006 FIFA World Cup?

2006-01-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

Which teams will be taking part in the 2006 FIFA World Cup?Qualified teams:
Angola
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Croatia
Czech Republic
Ecuador
England
France
Germany (host nation)
Ghana
Iran
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
Paraguay
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Serbia and Montenegro
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Ukraine
USA

What is the SLOGAN of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany

2006-01-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

What is the SLOGAN of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™?

A Time to Make Friends™

Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden™

Le rendez-vous de l’amitié

El mundo entre amigos

Frequently Asked Questions

2006-01-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

Why did Germany BID TO HOST the 2006 FIFA World Cup™?"You couldn't ask for a finer or more exciting gift than being allowed to host a World Cup finals tournament, so I didn't hesitate for a single second when I was asked to take on the role of chairman to the bidding committee. We offer a first-class environment for the World Cup: perfect infrastructure, huge enthusiasm for football with more than 10 million spectators at Bundesliga matches every year, and high-quality tourist attractions. But above all else, we'll construct and extend fan-friendly stadia for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, fulfilling every modern requirement in terms of comfort, safety and media technology." Franz Beckenbauer
When do 2006 FIFA World Cup™ MATCH TICKETS GO ON SALE?The first sales period started through www.FIFAworldcup.com on 1 February 2005 and ended on 31 March 2005. Further sales periods: 2 May 2005 to 15 November 2005, 12 December 2005 to 15 January 2006, 15 February 2006 to 15 April 2006 and 1. May 2006 to 9 July 2006. For further informations on ticketing, please click here.
What is the MATCH SCHEDULE for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™?The Match Schedule for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ is now definitive. The 18th tournament in the history of the FIFA World Cup will be held from 9 June - 9 July 2006. The Opening Match between host country Germany and Costa Rica will be played in Munich, whilst the winner will be crowned after the Final in Berlin. The Semi-finals will be held in Dortmund and Munich, whilst the “consolation” match for Third Place will be played in Stuttgart. According to the official Match Schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2006, five matches will be played in eight of the twelve stadiums, whilst the four biggest venues (Berlin, Dortmund, Munich and Stuttgart) will host a sixth match. The Final Draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup took place in Leipzig on 9 December 2005.
HOW MANY TEAMS will compete at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany?Just as at France 98 and Korea/Japan in 2002, 32 teams will take part in Germany 2006.
Where will the GAMES take place?The games will be played in twelve towns and cities: Berlin, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Hanover, Kaiserslautern, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart. The International Media Centre (IMC) will be based in Munich, while the media centres in Berlin and Dortmund will offer more extensive facilities than the other venues. World governing body FIFA will establish its headquarters in Berlin.
How can I buy 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ MERCHANDISE?For a comprehensive information about the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany(tm) Licensing Programme , please check the following link.Official Licensed Products can also be purchased online through the official stores on www.FIFAworldcup.com.

Ticket types are available

2006-01-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

1. Which ticket types are available?For the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany TM tickets will be offered for seats only. Available are single tickets and, in the first two sales phases, team specific tickets (TSTs) Single tickets entitle you to attend a particular match. TST series entitle you to attend a certain number of matches for a particular team.Single tickets are available in four price categories. TST series are available in three price categories. As matters of principle, applications for single tickets exclude applications for TSTs, and vice versa. Therefore you will have to opt either for single tickets, or for TSTs.

2. What is a single ticket?A single ticket entitles you to attend the match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany (TM) which you selected. Single tickets are offered in four price categories. The maximum number of single tickets that can be ordered in categories 1 to 3 per household is four tickets per applicant for a maximum of seven matches. The limit for category 4, the low price option, is a maximum of two single tickets per household (i.e. one surname per delivery address) for a maximum of three matches. The ticket of the respective match covers the fee for public transport at the respective venue on the respective day and during the given times. The cost of travel between the different venues in Germany is not included.

3. What is a TST series?TST stands for team specific ticket. TSTs are sold as so-called series, i.e. these tickets entitle you to attend a series of matches of your favourite team. You do not have to be a citizen of the country of your favourite team. A TST series will includes all of your teams preliminary round matches, and to the final round matches up to a stage of the tournament selected by you according to the type of TST. There are five TST types available:
A TST 3 ticket entitles you to all three group matches of your desired team
A TST 4 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, and the round of sixteen match
A TST 5 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, the round of sixteen match, and the quarter-final match
A TST 6 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, the round of sixteen match, the quarter-final match, and the semi-final match
A TST 7 ticket entitles you to all three group matches, the round of sixteen match, the quarter-final match, the semi-final match, and the final match A purchaser of a TST 4-7 ticket follows their team until that team is eliminated from the tournament. When their chosen team has been eliminated from the competition the customer will continue through the tournament following the team that has eliminated their chosen team from the tournament. If your desired team is eliminated in one of the final matches, with the TST being valid for subsequent matches, the ticket will be transferred to the winner of the respective final match. A corresponding rule applies in the case of that team being eliminated in turn. TSTs are available in price categories 1 to 3. Up to four TST series can be ordered per household. (Household being defined as one surname per delivery address) The price of a TST equals the prices of the total of the individual tickets plus a handling fee of 10 percent of the single ticket prices. The cost of travel between the different venues in Germany is not included in the TST price. The ticket of the respective match covers the fee for local public transport at the respective venue on the respective day and for the given times. Important: TST series were only offered in the first and second sales phase.

4. What are the prices of the tickets?Single tickets are offered in four price categories, TSTs are offered in three price categories. In addition, starting with the third sales phase single match tickets with restricted view will be offered. The following price table provides an overview of all prices for single tickets:

Hopefuls facing fitness fight

2006-01-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

Hopefuls facing fitness fightWhat do Ronaldo, Raul and Michael Owen have in common? All are potentially pivotal to their countries' FIFA World Cup™ hopes and all are currently injured. FIFAworldcup.com assesses the men aiming to avoid missing out on Germany...

Fifa world cup 2002 china

2006-01-04T15:46:00.000-08:00

Klikoni ne photo per te pare si jan kualifiku ne 2002

Apart from labels and icon files, aiSee allows additional pieces of information, i.e. text fields, to be associated with nodes. This information can be easily accessed by simply pressing 'i', followed by selecting one or several nodes (see screenshot). Alternatively, you can first select a node or a subgraph and then switch between its additional information windows by pressing

2005-12-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

"Welcome to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™"
Seventeen years after the fall of the Berlin wall, a reunified Germany will throw open its doors to the world. Germany 2006 will be a place where people from all around the world will be welcomed by friends, in the spirit of the striking slogan chosen by the organisers: Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden.
The tournament is being held on the finest stage in the world, one whose symbolism far transcends the boundaries of sport. Hark back to Germany’s triumph at the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, which sealed the country’s return to the international fold in the most beautiful manner possible.
In 2006, Germans will have the opportunity to rectify certain clichés and preconceived ideas. The world will have the chance to see what a fantastic country Germany truly is: the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, its rich cultural heritage and the intelligence and good humour of its people.
As for the legendary German work ethic and organisational skills, I am pleased to say those perennial qualities are alive and well - and we at FIFA are only too happy to take advantage of them.
For at all levels, the overall investment in any World Cup tournament is immense. The event is financially supported by the German state, but also by the “Länder” and the Host Cities. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who are currently working with such passion and commitment to make the occasion a memorable one.
Today’s efforts will bear fruit tomorrow. German football, for example, will boast twelve spanking new or vastly improved stadiums in 2006. The whole German population too will benefit in terms of better transport and reception infrastructures.
Football clubs, schools and people all over the land have really got behind this great event, providing further proof, if any were needed, of the prominent role football plays in all our lives. In this respect I would like to congratulate the German Football Association for inviting people from all walks of live to take part in this great event.
Needless to say, none of this comes as a surprise and I am well aware of the loyalty of the Deutscher Fussball-Bund* and its President, my good friend Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder. They enjoy my complete confidence in their ability to organise a tournament every bit as good as in 1974.
Like Mexico, Italy and France, Germany is now organising its second FIFA World Cup. The first saw the great Franz Beckenbauer lift the trophy as captain of the winning team. Today, he presides over the Local Organising Committee in the run-up to a tournament which has changed considerably down the years: back in 1974, only sixteen sides took part, including the now-defunct German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Zaire. The latter were the only representative from the African continent and conceded fourteen goals with no reply.
The 2006 tournament will be a vastly different affair. Thirty-two teams will have qualified, including five from Africa, all of whom now perform at a far higher level. Just remember how Senegal upset the odds in Korea and Japan in 2002. The same can be said for Asian teams, who produced a semi-finalist last year, something which would have been unthinkable back in 1974!
These performances bear witness to FIFA’s efforts in the last quarter of a century to help the nations of the football world to compete on an equal footing. I will have the immense pleasure of welcoming you amongst my friends in Germany. We look forward to seeing you in 2006 to celebrate this unity!
Joseph S. BlatterFIFA President

David Beckham

2005-12-14T10:09:00.000-08:00

Full Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Birthplace: Leytonstone, 2/5/1975
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Hair: Light Brown Eyes: Dark Blue
Scar: Left Cheek
Height: 180cm - 5ft 11in Weight: 67kg - 10st 8lb
Family: Parents Sandra & Ted, sisters Joanne & Lynne
Wife: Victoria Caroline Adams Beckham
Sons: Brooklyn Joseph Beckham, Romeo Beckham

Full International: England (58 caps, 10 goals)
Position: Midfield
Squad Number: 23
Appearances (1992-2000): 387
Goals Scored with Club: 81
Signed On: 29-01-1993

World Cup Groups

2005-12-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

Fixtures
Group stages
FRIDAY 9 JUNE Group A Germany v Costa Rica 1700, Munich Poland v Ecuador 2000, Gelsenkirchen

SATURDAY 10 JUNE Group B England v Paraguay 1400, Frankfurt Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden 1700, Dortmund

Group C Argentina v Ivory Coast 2000, Hamburg
SUNDAY 11 JUNE

Group C Serbia & Montenegro v Holland 1400, Leipzig

Group D Mexico v Iran 1700, Nuremberg Angola v Portugal 2000, Cologne
MONDAY 12 JUNE

Group F Australia v Japan 1400, Kaiserslautern

Group E USA v Czech Republic 1700, Gelsenkirchen Italy v Ghana 2000, Hanover
TUESDAY 13 JUNE

Group G South Korea v Togo 1400, Frankfurt France v Switzerland m1700, Stuttgart

Group F Brazil v Croatia 2000, Berlin
WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE

Group H Spain v Ukraine 1400, Leipzig Tunisia v Saudi Arabia 1700, Munich

Group A Germany v Poland 2000, Dortmund
THURSDAY 15 JUNE

Group AEcuador v Costa Rica 1400, Hamburg

Group BEngland v Trinidad & Tobago 1700, Nuremberg Sweden v Paraguay 2000, Berlin
FRIDAY 16 JUNE

Group C Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro 1400, Gelsenkirchen Holland v Ivory Coast 1700, Stuttgart
Group D Mexico v Angola 2000, Hanover
SATURDAY 17 JUNE

Group D Portugal v Iran 1400, Frankfurt

Group E Italy v USA 1700, Kaiserslautern Czech Republic v Ghana 2000, Cologne
SUNDAY 18 JUNE

Group F Japan v Croatia 1400, Nuremberg Brazil v Australia 1700, Munich

Group G France v South Korea 2000, Leipzig
MONDAY 19 JUNE

Group G Togo v Switzerland 1400, Dortmund

Group H Saudi Arabia v Ukraine 1700, Hamburg Spain v Tunisia 2000, Stuttgart
TUESDAY 20 JUNE

Group A Ecuador v Germany 1500, Berlin Costa Rica v Poland 1500, Hanover

Group B Sweden v England 2000, Cologne Paraguay v Trinidad & Tobago 2000, Kaiserslautern
WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE

Group D Portugal v Mexico 1500, Gelsenkirchen Iran v Angola 1500, Leipzig

Group C Holland v Argentina 2000, Frankfurt Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro 2000, Munich
THURSDAY 22 JUNE

Group E Czech Republic v Italy 1500, HamburgGhana v USA 1500, Nuremberg

Group F Japan v Brazil 2000, Dortmund Croatia v Australia 2000, Stuttgart
FRIDAY 23 JUNE

Group H Saudi Arabia v Spain 1500, Kaiserslautern Ukraine v Tunisia 1500, Berlin

Group G Togo v France 2000, Cologne Switzerland v South Korea 2000, Hanover

Knockout stages
SATURDAY 24 JUNEGame One:Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B 1600, Munich

Game Two:Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D 2000, Leipzig

SUNDAY 25 JUNEGame Three:Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A 1600, Stuttgart

Game Four:Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C 2000, Nuremberg

MONDAY 26 JUNEGame Five:Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F 1600, Kaiserslautern

Game Six:Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H 2000, Cologne

TUESDAY 27 JUNEGame Seven:Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E 1600, Dortmund

Game Eight:Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G 2000, Hanover

FRIDAY 30 JUNEQuarter-Final One:Winner Game One v Winner Game Two 1600, Berlin

Quarter-Final Two:Winner Game Five v Winner Game Six 2000, Hamburg

SATURDAY 1 JULYQuarter-Final Three:Winner Game Three v Winner Game Four 1600, Gelsenkirchen

Quarter-Final Four:Winner Game Seven v Winner Game Eight 2000, Frankfurt

TUESDAY 4 JULYSemi-Final One:Winner Quarter-Final One v Winner Quarter-Final Two 2000, Dortmund

WEDNESDAY 5 JULYSemi-Final Two:Winner Quarter-Final Three v Winner Quarter-Final Four 2000, Munich

SATURDAY 8 JULYThird/Fourth place play-off:Loser Semi-Final One v Loser Semi-Final Two 2000, Stuttgart

SUNDAY 9 JULYFinal:Winner Semi-Final One v Winner Semi-Final Two 1900, Berlin

2005-12-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

Let the phoney war begin. Hostilities will not commence for another six months, but the opponents are known, along with the battle grounds.
Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden lie in wait and Sven-Goran Eriksson already has his troops in position.
NealSimpson/Empics
For better or worse Peter Crouch remains Sven's only plan B.
Indeed, to hazard a guess, he has as many as 20 players pencilled in. Injury permitting, a summer in Germany awaits for them. Excellent news for those players, the beneficiaries of continuity of selection, but a move that threatens the late arrival in the squad, once an intriguing ingredient of any major tournament, with extinction.
And this is to be lamented. The surprise package has had a catalytic role in previous England campaigns. Four years ago, it was Trevor Sinclair, the unlikely and, as it turned out, brief solution to Eriksson's left-sided problems. In 1990, David Platt's prolific form for Aston Villa propelled him into the squad, and he swivelled to volley England into the quarter-finals.
And though home advantage gave Sir Alf Ramsey the luxury of more time to prepare for the 1966 World Cup, few had inked in Martin Peters, Alan Ball and Geoff Hurst for pivotal roles in the preceding months. Ramsey's wonders, meanwhile, only became wingless during the group stage.
In 2004, Eriksson appeared to determine selection during his long winter break. It was to the detriment of Jermain Defoe and Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose visible sharpness in the second half of the season earned them accolades, but not squad places in Portugal.
They were the form players, but Darius Vassell and Kieron Dyer were preferred, though Eriksson has subsequently admitted he should have opted for Defoe. Now, in a reversal of fortunes, they could profit from a similarly early choice. They are now the men in possession, albeit when consigned to the bench for both club and country.
Two years on, the Swede should not make the same mistake. However, in his defence, he has little scope for experimentation. England have just three more matches, and only one before May. It provides scant opportunity to state a case, even for the most eloquent of footballers. Nor, however, have Eriksson's friendlies provided the ideal environment for contenders.
His first 11 is almost finalised, the sole debating point being the final midfield position contested by Ledley King and Joe Cole. In his reserves, Eriksson appears to favour loyalty, versatility and youth, perhaps scarred by Gareth Southgate's recollections of the campaign in Japan. Those who have not complained about their bit-part roles in the qualifying campaign, therefore, are in pole position.
And much as their managers champion their causes, the wannabes should be aware that even squad members in the current England party have considerable job security.
Stuart Pearce has been vocal about the resurgent Vassell, but Defoe has understudied Michael Owen since Euro 2004. James Beattie, with a blend of optimism and naivety has spoken about making it difficult for Eriksson to ignore him, but the Swede, like Rafael Benitez, stood by Peter Crouch during his lengthy goal drought. His late appearance against Argentina - while Owen struck twice - surely cemented his place; Steve Bruce's pleas on behalf of Emile Heskey must be in vain.
And once discarded, there is rarely a reprieve; Eriksson, it seems, does have a steely side. Only David James has returned, and that owes much to the lack of English goalkeepers. Chris Kirkland, should he stay fit, seems a certainty. Robert Green, meanwhile, behind one of the Championship's leakier defences, may be grateful that he is not in the limelight.
In defence, the FA must have been instructed to take the suit measurements of the first-choice back four of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole plus King, Sol Campbell and Luke Young, now firmly established as the deputy at right back.
JonBuckle/Empics
Parker's combative performances for Newcastle may yet book him a seat of the plane to Germany.
Were Eriksson's wishes granted, Wayne Bridge would be joining them. But he now appears to be Chelsea's third-choice left back, providing an incentive for Paul Konchesky and Kieran Richardson, while the adaptability of Phil Neville and Jamie Carragher makes them other options. At the back, the only wild card is Jonathan Woodgate, whose fitness cannot be taken for granted, but who is the only outsider who could complicate Eriksson's thinking.
In midfield, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are the untouchables, and Joe Cole completes a quartet of automatic selections.
Wright-Phillips and Jermaine Jenas can expect a ticket to Germany as a reward for whiling away hours on the bench. It leaves two positions up for grabs in perhaps the only area where Eriksson is open to persuasion. One, however, may be delegated to another defensive player as both Neville and King are options as an anchor midfielder. So, too, is Michael Carrick, so impressive in the USA last summer, but off the international stage since then.
And for the final spot, in the interests of balance, a left-footer has appeal. Richardson has become a regular in the squad but Stewart Downing, currently sidelined, but capped by Eriksson, would be the more adventurous option.
But for those outside the squad - a category that current includes the Middlesbrough winger - the prognosis is not so healthy. Darren Bent, Kevin Nolan, Michael Dawson and Teddy Sheringham will all have their advocates, but the strongest challenge is coming from Tyneside where Scott Parker's commitment is not for the squeamish.
His all-round excellence has attracted widespread admiration but not, seemingly, from the England manager. But Eriksson may need to heed his late charge to prove his squad has not become a closed shop - and, after the errors caused by premature selection in 2004, perhaps to provide the spark to ignite England's World Cup challenge

Diego Armando Maradona

2005-12-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Name : Diego Armando Maradona
Date of Birth: 30 October 1960
Birthplace: Villa Fiorito, Argentina

An Albiceleste underdog who beat the world
Some things never lose currency in Argentina - beef, women and dulce de leche (a caramel dessert) among them. Football is another source of comfort for the masses, and one player in particular has provided more than his share of tender loving care - Maradona. The former national team captain headed the queue when the football muses visited the republic. And in a land which looks to the game for its daily bread, he is considered nothing short of divine. Making friends with the ball
Maradona made the ball an early friend and it was his constant companion in the games of street football that taught him how to compete with older and bigger opponents. Despite this toughening process, however, Maradona's physique, or lack of it, almost cost him his career.
The Argentinos Juniors youth coach, Francis Cornejo, had no doubts about his ability - yet could not believe that the little left-footer was old enough to play for his team. His date of birth duly established, Maradona became the star of the 'Cebollitas' helping them go 136 matches unbeaten. The senior squad beckoned, and on 20 October 1976 the 15-year-old debuted for Argentinos Juniors in the first division against Talleres de Córdoba.
Another 21 seasons, another bow: the final curtain fell on Diego's career after Boca Juniors' 2-1 defeat of River Plate on 29 October 1997. In the intervening years, Barcelona, Napoli, Seville and Newell's Old Boys had all witnessed the Maradona phenomenon at first hand - a pocket battleship of a player blessed with supreme technique and a magical left foot.Controversial from the start
© Popperfoto It was the national team that saw the best of him, however. Thirty-four goals in 91 appearances make him the Albiceleste’s second top scorer after Gabriel Batistuta. And his contribution was such that the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) recently 'retired' his old No.10 shirt. This love affair began on 3 April 1977 when Maradona first played for his country in a friendly against a local selection. Soon there were calls for coach Cesar Luis Menotti to include him in the squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup™ finals. Argentina would win the tournament on home soil - but without Diego whom Menotti thought too young to participate.
Amends were made the following summer when Maradona inspired his peers (not that he had many equals) to victory at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Japan. "That was the most fun I had on a football pitch," he said later. "Apart from my daughters, nothing has given me as much pleasure."
© Popperfoto
No stranger to success then, he also courted controversy. Apologists spoke of the star's "honesty" and "refusal to sell out". Critics did not want for ammunition either - after all, this was a man who once shot at journalists with an air rifle and insulted the Pope on national TV. He always roused the extremes of emotions, yet on the pitch he did as he pleased - and as no other could. "The things I could do with a football, he could do with an orange," eulogised French star Michel Platini.
Balance was the key - which was ironic given his struggle to find equilibrium elsewhere in life. It was impossible to stop 'El Grande' as he slalomed towards goal; and just as unerring was his accuracy from set pieces.Toughness and grandeur
The 1982 FIFA World Cup™ finals did not see enough of those qualities. Argentina lost their opening game to Belgium then beat Hungary and El Salvador. Diego scored twice against the Hungarians, but was unable to repeat the dose against Italy and Brazil in the second round. In fact, he grew so frustrated with his markers that he was sent off against the latter as the holders crashed out.
Mexico 86 was another matter entirely. Maradona's five goals - one against Italy and two apiece against England and Belgium in the quarter and semi-finals - took Carlos Bilardo's side to the final, and sealed his reputation. It was as the greatest player on the planet that he lifted the FIFA World Cup after a 3-2 win over West Germany.
Four years on, he assumed a quite different role for the title defence. The tournament took place in Italy, where Maradona was nearing the end of a seven-year spell with Napoli which would yield two Serie A championships and a UEFA Cup. Though his physical powers diminished by a serious ankle injury, the skipper's will remained as strong as ever and this carried the team through against Brazil, Yugoslavia and Italy in the knockout stages. However, there was nothing he could do about Andreas Brehme's Cup-winning penalty for West Germany.
© Popperfoto The last chapter in Diego's FIFA World Cup history was also the darkest. It unfolded at USA 94 where he helped Argentina triumph over Greece and Nigeria. Then, however, he failed a drugs test - showing signs of the banned stimulant ephedrine - and was banished from the competition. His team-mates followed soon after, the result of defeats by Bulgaria and Romania.
Nevertheless, Argentina celebrated this beautiful, if chequered, career on 10 November 2001 with a testimonial match at La Bombonera stadium, home of Boca Juniors. The No.10 captained the national team to victory over an All Star XI. Same old routine, one might think, but this was a variation on an old theme - Argentina bringing comfort to her favourite footballing son.
Playing Career
International honours
91 International appearances, 34 goals
1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™ second round
1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ Champion
1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ Player of the Tournament
1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™ runner up
1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ second round
Clubs
1976 - 1981 Argentinos Juniors (166 appearances, 116 goals)
1981 - 1982, 1995-1997 Boca Juniors (71 appearances, 35 goals)
1982 - 1984 Barcelona (58 appearances, 38 goals)
1984 - 1991 Napoli (259 appearances, 115 goals)
1992 - 1993 Seville (29 appearances, 7 goals)
1993 - 1994 Newell's Old Boys (5 appearances, 0 goals)
Club honours
1981 Argentine Champion
1987, 1990 Italian Champion
1987 Italian Cup Champion
1989 UEFA Cup Champion
Managerial career
Clubs

1994 Mandiyú de Corrientes
1995 Racing Club de Avellaneda

Germany World Cup 2006

2005-12-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile, FIFA will start a week-long inspection tour of the German venues for the 2006 finals on Monday. A delegation will visit Germany from May 5 to 12 to take a look at the 12 stadiums as well as the media facilities in Munich, where the international media center is being built.
"The goal is to give the inspectors a view of the facilities on the spot
to make sure we keep conforming to the FIFA standards, which are very high," said German organizing committee vice-president Horst Schmidt.
Bildunterschrift: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Hanover, Kaiserslautern, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart have been selected as venues for the 2006 finals.
The opening game will be staged in a new stadium being built in Munich. The final will be in Berlin's Olympic stadium, which is currently undergoing a major facelift.

Blatter had no room to complain after his decision last year to give Oceania a guaranteed World Cup place by taking one away from the South Americans effectively formed the main basis for the discussion on Saturday and the subsequent decision against him. Responding to Blatter's decision in favor of Oceania, the South Americans demanded 36 finalists, with one extra place for themselves. European soccer's governing body, UEFA, supported them, and will take two of the extra places, with the fourth going to the winners of a play-off between teams from North America and Asia.
The plan looked doomed only 48 hours previously when FIFA's technical and football committees, the latter headed by Michel Platini, issued a stark joint warning that the proposed nine groups of four was 'not feasible'. They proposed a larger but more manageable tournament comprising of eight groups of five in a 40-team competition.
Platini, a European Championship winner and World Cup semi-finalist with France, said that the whole idea of seven best runners-up could not be decided simultaneously and that this would produce "an extended period of inactivity for some teams and could potentially also lead to arranged results.

The 2006 tournament will also be the first in which the number of competitors is not divisible by eight. That produces its own set of problems, leaving FIFA and the German organizers with the headache of how to reduce 36 teams to 16 for the later rounds. Nine groups of four, with the group winners and seven best-placed runners-up progressing, is unwieldy but is the likeliest solution put forward by the governing body's representatives at the meeting.
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, head of the German 2006 organizers, said: 'The problem is to create a match program. It is extraordinarily complicated.'
However, the decision is one that will be roundly condemned by many in the game. Some have expressed their displeasure, calling the decision one born from the self-interest of the continental football federations and contrary to FIFA's well-known, all encompassing 'for the good of the game' mantra. Even FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, opposed the plan and had tried to kill it. The decision to go ahead is a severe personal blow for Blatter who was outvoted by an alliance which included the South Americans, who proposed it, and Europe, which will get two of the extra four places.
Germany's World Cup in 2006 will be the biggest ever after governing body FIFA approved an enlargement plan increasing the number of teams from 32 to 36. However, the decision has caused divisions within the game.
The World Cup in Germany in 2006 will officially be the biggest soccer tournament ever. The competition -- which in its early years was contested by 16 finalists, rising to 24 in Spain in 1982, and to 32 in France 98 -- will now feature 36 teams after world soccer's ruling body FIFA approved the enlargement at a meeting in Zurich on Saturday.
The new look World Cup, to be showcased in German stadiums throughout the summer of 2006, will display the talents of more than one sixth of all the world's teams - just over 200 are affiliated to FIFA. As a result, Germany's tournament will also be the longest World Cup in history, with added fixtures meaning the championships will go on for longer than the month it usually takes.

World Cup Germany 2006

2005-12-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

Eight venues will each host five matches, while Berlin, Dortmund, Munich and Stuttgart will each have the honour of an extra sixth match. Furthermore, in the group stage, no team will play in the same stadium twice, and there will also be at least two days in between matches in the same stadium. In addition, each venue will play host to two matches featuring one of the top-seeded teams.There will be a number of teams present at Germany 2006 that have already served their FIFA World Cup™ apprenticeship. Not considered among the favourites, they will nonetheless have the benefit of experience and be looking for every opportunity to spring a surprise and make it through to the second round and beyond. Apart from the established favourites at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, a group of nations could be considered as candidates to cause a shock or two at the finals; the teams commonly referred to as potential 'dark horses'. It could be the likes of Costa Rica, Equador or Iran or maybe Saudi Arabia – you just never know! The previous three tournaments have all produced surprise candidates in the semi-finals, with countries such as Korea Republic, Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria and Sweden all making the last four, despite not being widely fancied at the outset. This proves it can be done, but who will be the teams making waves at Germany 2006? A number of contenders come to mind. When looking around for possible winners of 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, the current favourites appear to be an established group of six: Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, France and England are the chosen teams among most pundits and that is probably because they have all got one thing in common: they have done it all before. All six nations share the honour of having already won the FIFA World Cup in the past and it seems inevitable that they should come into the reckoning once again.

2006 FIFA World Cup

2005-12-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

For you we reserved more than 1.5m room nights and more than 550 hotels in the 2 – 5 star categories in all 12 cities of the FIFA World Cup™. Flexible and individual we are able to offer something for everyone, from informal atmosphere of a Bed & Breakfast to a 5 star luxury hotel.
You can book your accommodation with us on the official 2006 FIFA World Cup™ website http://www.fifaworldcup.com/ under the section Destination Germany => Accommodation.
We offer you: • A full description with picture of each of the hotels • A wide choice of hotels in all categories and venues• A guaranteed reservation• Flexibility for changes up till a later date Visit our website and make your bookings on-line!

World Cup 2006 Tickets

2005-12-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

event
date / time
venue
availability
for a single time and venue -->
Germany vs A2, Opening Game
FridayJune 09, 2006/00:00
Stadion München,München (Germany)
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A3 vs A4
FridayJune 09, 2006/00:00
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
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B3 vs B4
SaturdayJune 10, 2006/00:00
Westfalenhalle, Dortmund (Germany)
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B1 vs B2
SaturdayJune 10, 2006/00:00
Waldstadion,Frankfurt (Germany)
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C1 vs C2
SaturdayJune 10, 2006/00:00
Stadion Hamburg,Hamburg (Germany)
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D3 vs D4
SundayJune 11, 2006/00:00
Stadion Köln, Köln (Germany)
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C3 vs C4
SundayJune 11, 2006/00:00
Zentralstadion, Leipzig (Germany)
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D1 vs D2
SundayJune 11, 2006/00:00
Frankenstadion, Nürnberg (Germany)
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F1 vs F2
MondayJune 12, 2006/00:00
Olympiastadion, Berlin (Germany)
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E3 vs E4
MondayJune 12, 2006/00:00
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
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E1 vs E2
MondayJune 12, 2006/00:00
Niedersachsenstadion, Hannover (Germany)
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G3 vs G4
TuesdayJune 13, 2006/00:00
Waldstadion, Frankfurt (Germany)
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F3 vs F4
TuesdayJune 13, 2006/00:00
Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern (Germany)
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G1 vs G2
TuesdayJune 13, 2006/00:00
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart (Germany)
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Germany vs A3
WednesdayJune 14, 2006/00:00
Westfalenhalle, Dortmund (Germany)
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H1 vs H2
WednesdayJune 14, 2006/00:00
Zentralstadion, Leipzig (Germany)
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H3 vs H4
WednesdayJune 14, 2006/00:00
Stadion München, München (Germany)
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B4 vs B2
ThursdayJune 15, 2006/00:00
Olympiastadion, Berlin (Germany)
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A4 vs A2
ThursdayJune 15, 2006/00:00
Stadion Hamburg, Hamburg (Germany)
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B1 vs B3
ThursdayJune 15, 2006/00:00
Frankenstadion, Nürnberg (Germany)
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C1 vs C3
FridayJune 16, 2006/00:00
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
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D1 vs D3
FridayJune 16, 2006/00:00
Niedersachsenstadion, Hannover (Germany)
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C4 vs C2
FridayJune 16, 2006/00:00
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart (Germany)
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D4 vs D2
SaturdayJune 17, 2006/00:00
Waldstadion, Frankfurt (Germany)
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E1 vs E3
SaturdayJune 17, 2006/00:00
Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern (Germany)
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E4 vs E2
SaturdayJune 17, 2006/00:00
Stadion Köln, Köln (Germany)
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G1 vs G3
SundayJune 18, 2006/00:00
Zentralstadion, Leipzig (Germany)
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F1 vs F3
SundayJune 18, 2006/00:00
Stadion München, München (Germany)
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F4 vs F2
SundayJune 18, 2006/00:00
Frankenstadion, Nürnberg (Germany)
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G4 vs G2
MondayJune 19, 2006/00:00
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund (Germany)
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H4 vs H2
MondayJune 19, 2006/00:00
Stadion Hamburg, Hamburg (Germany)
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H1 vs H3
MondayJune 19, 2006/00:00
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart (Germany)
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A4 vs Germany
TuesdayJune 20, 2006/00:00
Olympiastadion, Berlin (Germany)
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A2 vs A3
TuesdayJune 20, 2006/00:00
Niedersachsenstadion, Hannover (Germany)
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B2 vs B3
TuesdayJune 20, 2006/00:00
Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern (Germany)
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B4 vs B1
TuesdayJune 20, 2006/00:00
Stadion Köln, Köln (Germany)
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C4 vs C1
WednesdayJune 21, 2006/00:00
Waldstadion, Frankfurt (Germany)
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D4 vs D1
WednesdayJune 21, 2006/00:00
Arena Aufschalke, Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
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D2 vs D3
WednesdayJune 21, 2006/00:00
Zentralstadion, Leipzig (Germany)
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C2 vs C3
WednesdayJune 21, 2006/00:00
Stadion München, München (Germany)
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F4 vs F1
ThursdayJune 22, 2006/00:00
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund (Germany)
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E4 vs E1
ThursdayJune 22, 2006/00:00
Stadion Hamburg, Hamburg (Germany)
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E2 vs E3
ThursdayJune 22, 2006/00:00
Frankenstadion, Nürnberg (Germany)
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F2 vs F3
ThursdayJune 22, 2006/00:00
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart (Germany)
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H2 vs H3
FridayJune 23, 2006/00:00
Olympiastadion, Berlin (Germany)
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G2 vs G3
FridayJune 23, 2006/00:00
Niedersachsenstadion, Hannover (Germany)
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H4 vs H1
FridayJune 23, 2006/00:00
Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern (Germany)
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G4 vs G1
FridayJune 23, 2006/00:00
Stadion Köln, Köln (Germany)
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1C vs 2D(3)
SaturdayJune 24, 2006/00:00
Zentralstadion,Leipzig (Germany)
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1A vs 2B(1)
SaturdayJune 24, 2006/00:00
Stadion München,München (Germany)
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1D vs 2C(4)
SundayJune 25, 2006/00:00
Frankenstadion,Nürnberg (Germany)
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1B vs 2A(2)
SundayJune 25, 2006/00:00
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion,Stuttgart (Germany)
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1E vs 2F(5)
MondayJune 26, 2006/00:00
Fritz-Walter-Stadion,Kaiserslautern (Germany)
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1G vs 2H(7)
MondayJune 26, 2006/00:00
Stadion Köln,Köln (Germany)
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1F vs 2E(6)
TuesdayJune 27, 2006/00:00
Westfalenstadion,Dortmund (Germany)
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1H vs 2G(8)
TuesdayJune 27, 2006/00:00
Niedersachsenstadion,Hannover (Germany)
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1 vs 3, Quater Final(A)
FridayJune 30, 2006/00:00
Olympiastadion,Berlin (Germany)
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5 vs 7, Quater Final(C)
FridayJune 30, 2006/00:00
Stadion Hamburg,Hamburg (Germany)
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6 vs 8, Quater Final(D)
SaturdayJuly 01, 2006/00:00
Waldstadion,Frankfurt (Germany)
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2 vs 4, Quater Final(B)
SaturdayJuly 01, 2006/00:00
Arena AufSchalke,Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
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A vs C, Semi Final(1)
TuesdayJuly 04, 2006/00:00
Westfalenstadion,Dortmund (Germany)
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B vs D, Semi Final(2)
WednesdayJuly 05, 2006/00:00
Stadion München,München (Germany)
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Loser1 vs Loser 2
SaturdayJuly 08, 2006/00:00
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion,Stuttgart (Germany)
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World Cup Final 2006
SundayJuly 09, 2006/00:00
Olympiastadion,Berlin (Germany

History of world cup

2005-12-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

No other sporting event captures the world's imagination like the FIFA World Cup ™. Ever since the first tentative competition in Uruguay in 1930, FIFA's flagship has constantly grown in popularity and prestige.

Jules Rimet(Copyright FIFA)
A group of visionary French football administrators, led in the 1920s by the innovative Jules Rimet, are credited with the original idea of bringing the world's strongest national football teams together to compete for the title of World Champions. The original gold trophy bore Jules Rimet's name and was contested three times in the 1930s, before the Second World War put a 12-year stop to the competition.
When it resumed, the FIFA World Cup™ rapidly advanced to its undisputed status as the greatest single sporting event of the modern world. Held since 1958 alternately in Europe and the Americas, the World Cup broke new ground with the Executive Committee's decision in May 1996 to select Korea and Japan as co-hosts for the 2002 edition.
Since 1930, the 16 tournaments have seen only seven different winners. However, the FIFA World Cup™ has also been punctuated by dramatic upsets that have helped create footballing history - the United States defeating England in 1950, North Korea's defeat of Italy in 1966, Cameroon's emergence in the 1980s and their opening match defeat of the Argentinean cup-holders in 1990....
Today, the FIFA World Cup™ holds the entire global public under its spell. An accumulated audience of over 37 billion people watched the France 98 tournament, including approximately 1.3 billion for the final alone, while over 2.7 million people flocked to watch the 64 matches in the French stadia.
After all these years and so many changes, however, the main focus of the FIFA World Cup™ remains the same - the glistening golden trophy, which is the embodiment of every footballer's ambition.

Fifa World Cup

2005-12-05T15:42:00.000-08:00

The FIFA World Cup was founded in 1971. It was designed by Silvio Gazzanigi of Italy. Made of 18-carat gold and malachite, the cup is 36 cm tall and weighs 5 kg. The sculpture depicts two triumphant football players holding a globe in their raised hands. The trophy is passed on to each winning team that gets to keep an identical (but gold-plated) replica. The making of the statue cost about $50,000, today its value is estimated to over $10,000,000.

Jules Rimet Cup

2005-12-05T15:38:00.001-08:00

The World Cup (The Golden Nike) was founded in 1930 by Frenchman Jules Rimet, the creator of the world championship games. The cup was designed and made by a French sculptor, Abel Lafleur. 30 cm in height, weighing 1,82 kg and made of pure gold, the sculpture depicted Nike of Samothrace (Winged Victory). In 1950 the statuette was named the Jules Rimet Cup after its founder. It was a trophy passed on to each winner and the team to win the tournament three times got to keep it (Brasil achieved this in 1970). In 1983 the Cup was stolen and it has never been found.