The World Cup - Germany '06: February 2006

Group H - The Way to the World Cup

Spain

Spain stumbled along the road to Germany 2006 but, having got there via the play-offs, a young squad provides real optimism for the future.

Fernando Torres together with Morientes or Reyes will cause troubles to the defenses on this group.

Ukraine

After two near-misses in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying, Ukraine have booked a place in the 2006 edition of the tournament in commanding fashion.

The Ukranian team and Shevchenko's goals deserved to be participating on this World Cup.

Tunisia

In 1978, Tunisia became the first African country to win a game at the finals of the FIFA World Cup™ when they beat Mexico 3-1 in their very first group game.

Selim Benachour crashes a powerful shot into the top of the net. Tunisia might not be the great power at first but if you let them play they might crash your party down.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia have shown the world dramatically different faces at three successive FIFA World Cup™ finals appearances since 1994.

Saudi Arabia's Khaled Aziz in action during the friendly against Greece
Khaled Aziz pictured in action for Saudi Arabia against Greece during the 1-1 friendly draw in Riyadh on 25 January 2006. (no video found)

Group G - The Way to the World Cup

France

After a disappointing display in Korea/Japan 2002, France and their coach Raymond Domenech will be travelling to Germany determined to make a positive impact.

There's no doubt about the quality of the players of the French squad but their ability to play as a competitive team is sometimes worrying the fans. Zidane seems to be getting back in track and that is important for Les Bleus if they want to cause an impression in Germany.

Switzerland

Switzerland made amends for missing out on the previous two FIFA World Cup™ finals by claiming a place at the 2006 tournament in neighbouring Germany.

Switzerland had to suffer to get to this Wolrd Cup, but in the end they succeeded.

Korea Republic

Korea Republic stunned the world by reaching the FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals on home soil in 2002 under Dutchman Guus Hiddink. Now they can look forward to another FIFA World Cup in Germany, their sixth successive World Cup.

Korea Republic has a good number of players with tecnical and physical abilities but they also have Park Ji Sung. Here's some highlights of this great player.

Togo

If Togo were unlikely contenders for a first FIFA World Cup™ finals place at the outset of their campaign, then their first three qualifiers did little to alter that impression.

Emmanuel Adebayor is one Togo's biggest assets. After playing in France for Monaco he got transfered to Arsenal.

Group F - The Way to the World Cup

Brazil

Brazil's form in winning the 2004 Copa America, 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and South American qualifying group points to a serious defence of their world crown in Germany...

Brazil is The favourite to take the Cup home, specially since they have only great players in the team. Among those great players there's one that is even greater and that will be causing headaches to the other teams, the one and only Ronaldinho Gaucho. Take a look at some of his goals.

Croatia

Croatia reached their third successive FIFA World Cup™ finals by finishing top of European qualifying Group 8, undefeated and with seven wins recorded in ten matches.

This is Darijo Srna scoring the penalty that got Croatia in the World Cup. The recording is not the best but you can feel the excitement in the crowd.

Australia

For Australia the long wait is over. After 32 years the Socceroos will return to Germany, scene of their one previous FIFA World Cup™ finals appearance in 1974.

The frontline of Australia is to keep in mind, Viduka, Aloisi and Kewell are dangerous players for any defense on the group. Kewell seems to be getting back to his level and that is good news for the Australian squad.

Japan

Japan became the first team besides the hosts to book their place at Germany 2006 when they defeated Korea DPR in June 2005. It will be their third successive FIFA World Cup™ finals appearance.

Japan is a complicated team to beat and where their star Nakata is on,then the team is double hard. Japan is in a hard group but they will fight to make their spot in the next round.

Group E - The Way to the World Cup

Italy

There's no doubt that Italy has the material to get far on this World Cup. They have good defense, middfield and attack. In my opinion they do depend on the magic and creativity of Totti. He is an outstanding player and he has increased his game in the past month (now injured but he'll be back soon) and getting ready for the World Cup. Check some of his greatest goals.

Ghana

Led by Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic and inspired by the likes of Michael Essien, Ghana have qualified for their first FIFA World Cup™ finals.

Ghana is leaded by Essien and they want to celebrate. Check this clip and get an idea of how much fun they will have with their national team.

United States of America

Gone are the days when the United States were derided as a second-tier footballing nation and they are now preparing for their fifth straight FIFA World Cup™ finals.

The U.S team has improved amazingly over the past years and they could surprise some people in this World Cup. They possess good tactics, they are organized and they have good players like Donovan, Jones, O'Brien or Beasley.

Czech Republic

After two 1-0 play-off wins over Norway, Karel Bruckner’s team have booked their place at Germany 2006 - the first time that this relatively new country will be taking part in the biggest sporting event on the planet.

The Czech's finest player, the great absent on the World Cup's squad. Pavel Nedved will be missed by his team mates and his country but they don't depend on him because they have a confident team that can creat some dammage on this group.

Group D - The Way to the World Cup

Mexico

Ricardo Lavolpe's Mexico side sealed their place at Germany 2006 with games to spare and can draw further confidence from an impressive 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign.

Here are some good Mexican goals. Some qualifying and Conferations Cup goals. They have a very good team and they can go far in the World Cup if they don't have to face penaltys.

Iran

After the disappointment of missing out on Korea/Japan 2002, Iran have underlined their position as one of Asia's top teams by qualifying comfortably for Germany 2006.

Iran is a structured squad and on top of that they have the Iranian Wizard or the Asian Maradona, Mr. Ali Karimi. Check his moves on this clip.

Angola

At their sixth attempt, Angola finally succeeded in qualifying for a FIFA World Cup™ finals under the inspirational stewardship of coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves.

This is a match against Togo. Angola has worked hard to get to the World Cup and they will look for the way of making history like a good African team.

Portugal

If their performance in qualifying is anything to go by then Portugal must rank as credible contenders at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals.

No doubt about how good Cristiano Ronaldo is. If you're not conviced just take a look at this clip. Portugal has a solid squad and with players like Ronaldo, Figo and Pauleta they can bring trouble to the other teams.

Group C - The Way to the World Cup

Argentina

After their poor showing at Korea/Japan 2002, Argentina are back for another tilt at the title having become the first side from South America to qualify for Germany 2006.

Argentina has one of the finest squads and they will try to prove it on this World Cup. Top players like Riquelme, Crespo, Aimar, Messi, Ayala, etc will try to put the name of Argentina on everybody's mouth again. Enjoy this great goal by Aimar against Bolivia.

Côte d'Ivoire

The Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire will be one of the major attractions at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, where they will take their bow on football's greatest stage.

No doubt that Didier Drogba is a very dangerous player and that the Elephants will be a hard team to beat.

Serbia and Montenegro

Serbia and Montenegro were one of eight European teams to remain undefeated throughout the qualifying campaign, winning six of their 10 fixtures and drawing the other four.

Their star names include Atletico Madrid's Kezman, Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan, and experienced Osasuna hitman Savo Milosevic. Kezman has a good scoring instinct and he can be really fast.

The Netherlands

Highly impressive as a unit during the preliminary stage, Marco van Basten's Netherlands side now want to demonstrate their formidable qualities at the highest level.

No doubt that The Netherlands has Ruud on the attack front. He is one of the best in the game and as a good predator he will be waiting for the chance of finishing the opponent.

Group B - The Way to the World Cup

England

You have to look back to the 1966 FIFA World Cup™ finals for the last time England secured victory in a major tournament. Now Sven-Goran Eriksson's men are aiming to put things right. They have one of the most solid squads of the world and they will be looking for their second Cup.

They have two of the best midfielders and the questions always pops up, who's better between Gerrard and Lampard? I guess the answer will be answered in Germany.

Group B - The Way to the World Cup

Paraguay

In the second round of the two previous FIFA World Cups™, Paraguay have lost incredibly close 1-0 matches to eventual champions France and eventual runner-ups Germany. They are a defensively strong squad that will be looking to cause some troubles to their adversaries and look for a spot in the next round of the World Cup.

This is the alltimer icon of the Paraguay squad making a super goal!! Yes, this is Chilavert in his Velez years.

Group B - The Way to the World Cup

Trinidad and Tobago

Inspired by a veteran coach and some equally seasoned players, Trinidad and Tobago overcame the odds to reach their first FIFA World Cup™ finals. They could win important games when they seemed lost, among the important ones we find one against Guatemala where after trailing 1-2 they managed to score 2 goals in the last 4 minutes and the other important game, the one that gave them the qualification to their first World Cup was the victory by 2-1 against Mexico.

Since I can't find any footage of the national team of Trinidad and Tobago or their great defender Ricardo Gardner, enjoy some pics of their country.

Group B - The Way to the World Cup

Sweden

Sweden qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ finals as one of the two best runners-up in European qualifying. Only Croatia was better than them in their group by goals difference. No doubt that Sweden has a good squad and we shall see how well they can do in this World Cup.

They have a very dangerous striker, one that will put some defenders in troubles every time he touches the ball, his name Zlatan Ibrahimovic and here's one of his goals in the qualifying round against Malta.

Group A - The Way to the World Cup

Germany are one of the great football nations of the world. The German team has played in every FIFA World Cup™ except the 1930 and 1950 tournaments. This World Cup is at their backyard and they will try to add one more Cup to their collection.

Germany didn't need to play any qualifying games but there's no doubt that they have a solid squad and a player named Ballack. This is the goal he scored against the Czech Republic.

Group A - The way to the World Cup

Costa Rica

In recent times, Costa Rica have become a regular sight at the world’s top tournaments, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ will be no exception. After a mediocre start in their qualifying round they managed to put the team together and be part of another World Cup.

They have a balanced squad but their strong aspect is the attack and the name of that attack is Wanchope. Check some of his goals.

Group A - The way to the World Cup

Poland

Even the most diehard Polish supporters were pleasantly surprised at their team's success in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ in advance of their last group match away to England (1-1).

It is often the strikers that get the glory but if you don't have a solid keeper it will be hard to get anywhere. Poland has Dudek and that is a very strong point for the Polish squad. This is Dudek in the Champions League's Final making an amazing save.

Group A - The way to the World Cup

Ecuador

Ecuador belongs to the Conmebol and they managed to end up third in one of the hardest and longest qualifying rounds. Only Brazil and Argentina were better than the Ecuador squad.

One of their biggest achievements, on the road to Germany, was beating the two South American heavy weights Argentina and Brazil by 2-0 and 1-0 in Quito and then managing 0-0 away draws against the same two titans.

This was an important goal for Ecuador because it meant the possibility of going to their second straight World Cup. The scorer was Edison Mendez.

World Cup Groups

On December 9, 2005 the draw was held and the group assignments announced.

After the draw was completed, many football commentators remarked that Group E and/or Group C appeared to be the groups of death in the Cup.

Group A