The 2006 FIFA World Cup is the current FIFA World Cup, the finals of which are being held in Germany. The FIFA World Cup is the football (soccer) world championship, contested by men’s national football teams, and organized by FIFA, the international governing body for football. The championship cycle culminates every four years in a finals tournament to decide which country’s men’s football team will be awarded the FIFA World Cup title. The host country and football federation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals tournament is Germany, who in June 2000, won the right to host the event, beating bids from South Africa (which will host the 2010 World Cup), Brazil, England and Morocco. The 2006 FIFA World Cup, the eighteenth such championship, began in December 2003 with 198 countries entering the draw for a series of qualification tournaments and play-offs that resulted in 32 national teams qualifying for the finals tournament. The finals tournament of the 2006 World Cup began on 9 June 2006 and is scheduled to end on 9 July 2006. A total of 64 games will be played. The first stage was the group stage, where the 32 teams were divided into 8 groups of 4 teams each. The teams in these groups of four competed in three-round round-robin tournaments to find two teams from each group (a total of 16) to advance to the knock-out stage. The group stage was completed on 23 June 2006. The knockout stage started on 24 June 2006, and progressive elimination of teams through quarter-finals and semi-finals, will finish with the World Cup Final to be played on 9 July 2006. The World Cup Final played in Berlin will determine the World Cup winner.

by Thomas Jefferson

• English Go on Ledge Together - Los Angeles Times
  English Go on Ledge TogetherLos Angeles Times, CA - Jul 1, 2006… sundown, we might even have Euro 2006 rather than … might occupy a final four alongside Germany, Italy and France … its national team in four World Cup matches thus …
• Draining the bitter cup - Newindpress on Sunday
  Draining the bitter cupNewindpress on Sunday, India - Jul 1, 2006… entering the death-or-glory phase of Germany 2006. … Suppose it snatched the World Cup, would Serbia and … In Germany, Italy had a Rossi ? Daniele de ? who …
• David Beckham’s Potential US Move Could Give MLS Glitz - FOX News
  David Beckham’s Potential US Move Could Give MLS GlitzFOX News - Jul 1, 2006… of the players who starred for Germany, Italy and Bulgaria … Madrid that runs through the 2006-7 season. … 2008 European Championship, a fourth World Cup is remote …
• It’s a victory for the aged - Ottawa Sun
  It’s a victory for the agedOttawa Sun,  Canada - 20 hours ago… Call this World Cup "Euro 2006" now. Brazil is gone. Argentina is gone. Germany, Italy, France and Portugal move on. … "I’ve always said the World Cup isn’t ..

• Bye Bye England and Brazil
  I can’t believe it - Brazil got knocked out of the world cup even before … time since 1982 that will be an all-European final in the 2006 World Cup Soccer. … see a final between the hosts Germany and the comeback kings of France. …
• brazil france
  France World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, July 1, 2006. France won 1-0. (AP Photo/ Lionel Cironneau) Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Brazil’s Ronaldo Stands On The Pitch During Their World Cup …
• Trying to avoid security at the World Cup
  Leipzig is the only World Cup host city in the former East Germany. You can sort of sense it. There is an undeveloped feel to it, which is to its credit because much of the old architecture is still intact. The word is ‘quaint’, …
• world cup,visiting,kenyan-ness and some free goodies
  Anyway enough about soccer/football. I am at my sister’s place now and it has been so long since … she has decided to move to the ‘ville (deviousone 2006) next semester. … The couple who were hosting the bash lived in a remote area. …
• Stop her! She’s blogging about soccer! (Part Deux)
  But what annoyed me was that he waited for Germany to get a free kick before … Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting … of foreign men (kau rasa ada chance ke Singapura masuk world cup by then? …
• i’m so sad now. world cup is madness. everything’s going wrong …
  world cup is madness. everything’s going wrong! germany vs argentina. i thought … but i knew germany will win. they’re the hosting country u noe? but ya, … lol. it’s soccer madness. wherever i go, ppl around me r talking abt soccer. …
• Blogging from Britain
  Thanks also to Jamie, another bookseller extraordinaire, for playing host and … England plays another game in the World Cup tomorrow, and I could feel the … I don?t follow football (soccer) anymore than I following American sports, …
• over-rated
  Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Before the world cup started I’ve always said. … Does he think this is some fantasy soccer or championship manager game? … What is he in Germany for? Din’t even play 1 minute and god knows what …
• News for 07-01-06
  07-01-06 - Palestinian National Football Team prepares for the next World Cup despite difficulties "Our main problem is the Israeli occupation. Our national team is made up of players from the West Bank, Gaza, and overseas, …
• Long time no see~!
  Also not forgetting the late night soccer matches I can watch on SCTV excluding … I sure hope to see Germany in the Finals… Hohho~! ^^ End of World Cup talk~! … Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Next up with some shopping! ..

• world cup,visiting,kenyan-ness and some free goodies
  Much as people do love France, I think the winner will come from the Germany-Italy match, in fact that would have been a great final.Anyway enough about soccer/football. I am at my sister’s place now and it has been so long since I have …
• And The Portuguese Fairytale Continues…
  That?s how the World Cup has been. With teams like the solid Germany, … In reality, 9 out of 10 says it?ll be a France and Germany/Italy final. … to that 1/10 chance that the Mediterranean paupers will upset football?s aristocrats. …
• World Cup Shit
  The winner of this year’s world cup wouldnt deserve it. … WHATS THE WORLD BECOMING? LOUSY SOCCER? If Rooney and Beckham wasnt out of the match, … Germany, Italy, Portugal , France Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting …
• Quarterfinals
  Lampard had a horrendous World Cup. Just an unbelievably poor showing. … Germany and Italy, with three World Cups each, are both in the mix, which is a little annoying. … when the four were West Germany, Italy, France, and Poland. …
• Adiós hermanos
  Both countries were tipped to do very well at the World Cup. This morning, four European teams are left in the competition: Germany, Italy, France and Portugual, and in my opinion only the first two deserve to be there. …
• the long and short of it. you can’t see the blog post title, but …
  ze conclusione: in soccer, ze balle iz rounde. the underdogs own in this world cup, germany 2006. and NO, it’s gloves and long sleeves that are in this season. and not strikers. semis - portugal, germany, italy, Xbrazil-france …
• Brazil/France Showdown
  Brazil is such a football powerhouse. France hadn’t been performing up to par since the World Cup started, so everytime Brazil was about to score a goal, I would close my eyes. My pillow which had been my faithful companion during all …
• FIFA Weekend!
  I kinda jumped along with the other soccer hooligans and man, I thought, this is the closest way I could experience the world cup and see europe?s best athletes, and darn it felt great. So anyway, SEMI-FINALSSSS!!!!!! Germany, Italy …
• Angels & Demons *> well, i thought this would be good for everyone …
  "Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof … oh and world cup. we’re down to 4 big teams. Germany, Italy, Portugal and France. … play soccer. im only rooting for him and er. his team i guess. hahahaha. …
• more movies!!!
  … been watching soccer or been updated wif da news so pretty surprise to find out dat brazil’s out of da game, so is england…. and now we’re left with Germany, Italy, Portugal and France… Germany probs gonna take out da world cup .

• Opposite hopes at Prosvita bar, Caboto Centre - Winnipeg Free Press (subscription)
  Opposite hopes at Prosvita bar, Caboto CentreWinnipeg Free Press (subscription), Canada - 4 hours ago… finals this afternoon at the 2006 FIFA World … With three previous World Cup crowns, Italy is hailed as … among the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Portugal …
• No surprises in last eight, but there should be: Guus’s boys - Sydney Morning Herald
  Washington PostNo surprises in last eight, but there should be: Guus’s boysSydney Morning Herald, Australia - Jun 29, 2006… Even though they are out of the World Cup, Germany 2006 has been a great boost for … The Argentina-Germany clash could decide who wins the World Cup. … Argentina, Germany eye World Cup semis Houston Chronicleall 321 related
• 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP: ARGENTINA-MEXICO: Coaches? quotes - noticias.info
  2006 FIFA WORLD CUP: ARGENTINA-MEXICO: Coaches? quotesnoticias.info, Spain - Jun 25, 2006… You win a match at a World Cup and there?s an even tougher opponent … As for Argentina-Germany, well it?s never easy facing the hosts and they …
• At Halfway Point, Taking Stock of the World Cup Field - New York Times
  At Halfway Point, Taking Stock of the World Cup FieldNew York Times, United States - Jun 23, 2006… it, the first phase of the World Cup is finally … of what has transpired at Germany 2006 so far … International Herald Tribune are tracking the world’s most popular …
• Sports/Other Special Events: World Cup - Chattanooga Times Free Press
  Sports/Other Special Events: World CupChattanooga Times Free Press,  USA - Jun 23, 2006The United States may be history, but the real story of the 2006 World Cup hasn?t yet been told. … Switzerland (world No. 35), Ecuador (No. … Germany 3-0. …
• Italy vs Australia - AsianHandicap.com
  Italy vs AustraliaAsianHandicap.com, UK - Jun 26, 2006… one of the dark horses to win the World Cup. All eyes have been on Brazil, Argentina, Germany and England, and … have been one of the surprises in Germany 2006. …
• A must win for a few reasons - Bismarck Tribune
  A must win for a few reasonsBismarck Tribune,  USA - Jun 22, 2006… of some countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany or England … After the last World Cup, we couldn’t wait to … States gets knocked out of the 2006 tournament in …
• Under Hot Sun, Reputations Melt or Shimmer - New York Times
  Under Hot Sun, Reputations Melt or ShimmerNew York Times, United States - Jun 14, 2006… And of the big guns, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy, the … this was the South Korean’s first World Cup win in … great, Josef Masopust, rates the 2006 team the …
• Soccer / Convincing wins for England, Argentina; ?Germany comes … - Ha’aretz
  Soccer / Convincing wins for England, Argentina; ?Germany comes …Ha’aretz, Israel - May 30, 2006With 10 days to go until the kickoff for the 2006 World Cup, there were wins yesterday for England and Argentina, but host Germany was held to a draw by Japan …
• And all for a little round ball … - Asia Times Online
  And all for a little round ball …Asia Times Online, Hong Kong - Jun 8, 2006… Council is more like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy, France and … The future of the football is literally in … The official 2006 World Cup football is not a hand ..

Quarter-finals

57	30 June 2006	Berlin		GER:ARG		17:00
58	30 June 2006	Hamburg		ITA:UKR		21:00
59	1 July 2006	Gelsenkirchen		ENG:POR		17:00
60	1 July 2006	Frankfurt		BRA:FRA		21:00

• England, Portugal to Play for World Cup Soccer Semifinal Place …
  June 24 (Bloomberg) ? Lukas Podolski scored twice in the first 12 minutes to give soccer World Cup host Germany a 2-0 win over Sweden that sets up a quarterfinal against Argentina or Mexico, who meet today.
• The Gorgeous men of the 2006 World Cup.
  Even if you don’t know a midfielder from a forward, the 2006 World Cup is a unique … few German players that the experts unanimously believe to be ‘world class’. … of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He became an instant global soccer star. …
• World Cup Germany 2006
  I grew up in a country where futbol soccer is very important, … This year the World Cup has been as exciting as always, … I thought that because Germany is hosting the tournament, the visual communication would?ve been great. …
• World Cup Outreach
  And within the host country Kickoff2006 is a coalition comprised of non profit … for the kingdom of God to progress, not only in Germany, but around the world. … And if Franklin Foer is right, if soccer really can explain the world, …
• World Cup "Betting" on Barfing Beckham and More During Games
  European World Cup fans will have the same kind of sports betting smorgasboard to consider as … 10-1 odds that England will meet host Germany for the World Cup title. … A few revolve around English soccer superstar, David Beckham: …
• World Cup review: Predictions, and reflections on group-stage results
  Germany has looked even better than I thought they would, and combined with how … I will stick with Argentina to shock the host Germans, exploiting their suspect … The key things I will remember this World Cup group stage for are, …
• The Weak In Review
  Anyway, what did Team USA expect on the soccer pitch? … and his Argentine teammates will tangle with host Germany in the World Cup quarters. … Although I do have Torsten Frings on my World Cup Fantasy League team, so what do I care? …
• Germany 2-0 Sweden
  Germany advanced to the FIFA World Cup? quarter-finals after two early goals … secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday, 24 June 2006. … sent a 25-yard strike inches over as the hosts moved in for an early kill. …
• Don’t Be Ruud; or, Heads Up!
  Could England be playing the German role in this World Cup? … The cabana was hosting a party so I went into the bar proper. … Maybe soccer will never take over America the way it has the rest of the world, but let no one doubt that …
• Food and Football - Part Two
  Almost everything I ate in Germany tasted like a Saxa table salt overdose. … That said, it was really hit and miss time with food on my visit for the World Cup. … in the street and a host of police officers heading to a nearby shop. .

• Germany, Argentina favored to advance to World Cup Quarterfinal
  World Cup host Germany opens the second round rated a odds-on chance to beat Sweden and advance to a possible quarterfinal against Argentina, the favorite to defeat Mexico. Germany, seeking its fourth soccer world championship, …
• World Cup Group Stage Review
  The World Cup group stages have finished. Sixteen teams qualifying for … Group A: Group A was won by the hosts Germany who took maximum points … They beat Poland 2-0 then beat Costa Rica 3-0 but then lost to the host Germany 3-0. …
• World Cup Issue
  From June 9 - July 9, 2006, just a few weeks from now, 12 German cities will host the world soccer championship World Cup Games. Approximately 3 million soccer fans - mostly men - will attend. With official support from the …
• World Cup Knockout
  Sweden has looked very shaky throughout group play while Germany waltzed right … Of all the soccer powerhouses, Spain has had the least success in the World Cup … I have to go with the host nation. 2006 FIFA World Cup Champions Germany.
• Sportszilla’s World Cup Review - June 23, 2006
  Today is the final day of the group stages of the World Cup and there are still some questions that needed to … Luis Aragones’ side created a host of chances in the first half. … Germany vs. Sweden ? 11:00am EST ? ABC Argentina vs. …
• Bodog Wins Big At ITSF World Cup
  The Bodog-sponsored Costa Rican entrant at the 2006 International Table Soccer Federations World Cup made their mark on the … The tournament featured 16 countries and was played in Germany, the host nation of the 2006 FIFA World Cup! …
• Zlatan’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
  In less than 18 hours, it?s GAME time: Sweden takes on Germany back at the Munich Allianz Arena. … It will be sad to see the hosts go home, I mean stay here, … Subjects: Football; soccer; world cup; World Cup 2006; Group H; Tunisia; …
• Friday Motley
  World CUpdates On the soccer front, the big news, at least for me, … Scheduling friendly pre-Cup games against Germany, England, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, … to an institution that would be able to be able to host them properly. …
• Germany World Cup 2006
  Germany is getting ready to host one of the biggest sporting events of the decade, the football World Cup. The hosts Germany offers the best Europe has to offer, enchanting landscape, romantic castles, world-renowned spas, …
• First Phase Completed
  The first phase of the World Cup 2006 is over. After a lot of huffing and … Unlike the 2002 World Cup, the outsiders have remained so, with a couple of … is being kicked off later today by hosts Germany against Sweden in Munich. .

• World Cup Soccer Roundup: Brazil sluggish again in win (Pittsburgh …
  June 19 (Bloomberg) ? Defending champion Brazil joined Argentina, the Netherlands, England and host Germany in the second round of soccer?s World Cup yesterday, signaling a return of the established order after the upsets of 2002. …
• The Ten Biggest Controversies in World Cup History
  The Hungarians had defeated West Germany 8-3 in group play, … perhaps explains why they stood so adamantly behind the flurry of cards in the 2006 Cup). … In the second round of the 1978 World Cup, the host nation Argentina found …
• Who will win the cup of life??
  West Germany won the cup as host in 1974. Brazil won the world cup in 1994. France won the cup as host in 1998. Brazil won the cup in 2002. Therefore, it would be either Germany (host) or Brazil who will win the 2006 world cup! …
• Fifa World Cup 2006 : Togo VS Switzerland
  In a game vitally important to both sides? 2006 FIFA World Cup … However, the West African side, led by experienced the German Otto Pfister, … a peak in two years time when the Swiss co-host the UEFA European Championship in 2008, …
• Politik bola
  In 1950, Brazil, the host and favorite, lost in the final to Uruguay. … but Holland’s loss to West Germany in the 1974 World Cup Final is "burned into the Dutch … Losing in the World Cup isn’t the only way to pummel self-esteem. …
• Welcome to the adidas WORLD OF FOOTBALL
  A draw is held at each game, with prizes including two tickets to a game at Germany 2006 and signed shirts and balls. The adidas Arena does not just show the games from the FIFA World Cup.Top music acts will also be playing there, …
• What users hate most about Web sites
  The full article can be found at www.infoworld.com. menelaus 2006-06-16 … as the first game of the long-awaited soccer tournament in Germany draws closer. … The World Cup network is required to run at 99.999 percent availability, …
• Fascism
  Several years ago, I mentioned to a German fellow, who still thinks highly of … days before Austria’s government hosts Bush and European leaders in Vienna." … A socialist’s guide to the World Cup "In many countries, soccer is a …
• Get down to business
  Hosts Germany had a very tough fight with Poland, and their perseverance paved way … Poland did give them a good fight, and Germany missed quite a lot of chances and … Ecuador could well turn out to be the Senegal of this World Cup. …
• Germany World Cup 2006
  Germany is getting ready to host one of the biggest sporting events of the decade, the football World Cup. The hosts Germany offers the best Europe has to offer, enchanting landscape, romantic castles, world-renowned spas, .