2006 FIFA World Cup

The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th edition of the FIFA World Cup, a men's association football tournament. This tournament was hosted by Germany for the first time after splitting to West Germany and East Germany.

Italy won their fourth title over France in the final, despite the top 4 being all European teams. Italy hosted the Winter Olympics earlier that year in Turin.

Host selection
The host selection was in July 2000, two months before the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Germany won their bid as host over South Africa, England and Morocco.

Teams
The hosts Germany automatically qualified, while the defending champs Brazil needed to play qualifying games ever since the defending champs don't automatically qualify anymore.

Teams that have failed to qualify include 2002 third placed team Turkey and Euro 2004 winners Greece. Belgium failed to qualify for the first time since 1978, Cameroon for the first time since 1986 and Nigeria for the first time since 1990.