FIFA World Cup 2006 [R]

It's a shame, we will not play in 2006.
But we will be back.
I like many teams, just wish them good luck!

Good for you, from BBC news, Mexico will be one of the seed teams.

Is that official now? I'm not quite sure how the seeding system works.

COMON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!

For the benefit of anyone who hasn't seen these yet, these are the pots for the Final Draw on 9 Dec '05. Each group (I think) is to be comprised of one team from each pot, to ensure a geographic mix of teams.

Pot 1
1. Germany
2. Brazil
3. England
4. Spain
5. Mexico
6. France
7. Argentina
8. Italy


Pot 2 - Africa & South America & Oceania
1. Angola
2. Côte d'Ivoire
3. Ghana
4. Togo
5. Tunisia
6. Ecuador
7. Paraguay
8. Australia


Pot 3 - Europe
1. Croatia
2. Czech Republic
3. Netherlands
4. Poland
5. Portugal
6. Sweden
7. Switzerland
8. Ukraine


Pot 4 - Asia & North, Central America and the Caribbean
1. Iran
2. Japan
3. Korea Republic
4. Saudi Arabia
5. Costa Rica
6. USA
7. Trinidad and Tobago


Special Pot
Serbia and Montenegro
(lowest ranked European team)

(From an official FIFA site)

As an Englishman, I have to say that I firmly believe England can win this World Cup (only 40 years since the last time). I also have to admit that we will realistically get no further than the quarter-finals.

Friday's draw will work in the following way:

The eight seeded teams will be drawn into eight different groups. Germany have already been allocated Group A and Brazil Group F.

Eight unseeded European sides will be drawn into the eight different groups.

The lowest-ranked European side Serbia and Montenegro will be allocated to one of the groups containing either Brazil, Argentina or Mexico to ensure there is no more than two European sides in any group.

A pot of the five African countries, Australia and the two remaining South American sides drawn into eight different groups.

A pot containing the four Asian countries, the USA, Costa Rica and Trinidad drawn into seven different groups.
The winners of the World Cup final will earn £10.75m as part of a total prize pool of £130m for the tournament.

Fifa announced on Tuesday that the 32 teams taking part will be guaranteed at least £2.6m each in prize money.

from the BBC

mark

All I know about the World Cup (and soccer in general) is that Australia has made it to the finals for the first time since 1974.

A summary of the draw results:

GROUP A

Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B

England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C

Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D

Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E

Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F

Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G

France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

GROUP H

Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Wilso - unfortunately, I think your lot are going to have a tough time qualifying from the group, but it's good to see the Aussies there whatever happens.

It also looks like the US have got some tough games as well, but draws with Italy and the Czechs might be enough to see them to the next stage.

England's group is looking pretty sweet, even with the bloody Swedes again (who England haven't beaten in 37 years).

england have got an easy group! if they win the group... which they will, they will play second place of group a. which will be poland i reckon. so easy!!!!

Without knowing almost anything about Iran and Angola I'll throw my Mexico predictions half a year before.

vs Iran - Mexico will win 3-1
vs Angola - a 2-2 tie
vs Portugal - a 1-1 tie

Mexico and Portugal go to the next phase.

Group Analysis:

Group of Death: Argentina, Holland, Serbia-Montenegro, Ivory Coast.

The best European team, the best African team, the black horse nobody wanted to play against and a historic football powerhouse.


Group of Agony: Italy, Czech Republic, Ghana, USA

Almost as hard as the Group of Death. Czech Republic and Ghana were two teams we prayed not to face in the first part of the tournament. The US got a short straw.

Tough Group: Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan

Brazil should prevail, but all the others are capable of doing damage, noth to the reigning champions and among themselves. Croatia is known as a "gypsy" team (no political correctness corrections, please): it can defeat Brazil and lose the other two games.

Semi-tough Group: England, Paraguay, Sweden, Trinidad-Tobago.

This one is real tough for Trinidad. But the English should not gloat: Sweden is always a conundrum for the other teams, and Paraguay is a perennial second round qualifier.

Semi-soft Group: Germany, Poland, Ecuador, Costa Rica.

Two strong European teams and two middle-of-the road Latin Americans. Should be won by the former.

Soft Group: Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal

Not a powerhouse in this group. A consistent Mexican team, a talented but aging European vice-champion, and two rather unknown squads.

Gruop of Joy: France, Switzerland, Togo, Korea

Neither France nor Korea are what they used to be. Switzerland is among the weaker European qualifiers and Togo is unknown.

Group of Bliss: Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

A star association that has never been a team, a team who depends on one lone star and two of the three worst teams in the tournament.

good to see the aussies there.............yeh ok then
if your english like me u hate the aussies when it comes to sport but they do have a good team but england will probably win the world cup again.

They have to win it. why cant we have the world cup tomorow!!! All the players are in top form.... and crouch is scoring! too bad owen is out for 3 months...

As reported in the Sunday Sun, the soccer World Cup
is the world's most watched event, notching up
an average of over 300 million viewers per
match in 2002.

Cool. I have a feeling that Brazil is going to win again...

I just love to see them Brits saying, like every WC, how easy it will be to win the tournament. The harder they come...

Keep 'em comin'!

hey with our team cause we're gonna be confident bet you would love the players we have.