WHAT THE WORLD’S BEEN WAITING FOR

The Draw For the 2006 World Cup

Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador
As usual, the host nation has received a suspiciously easy draw. Costa Rica were hardly impressive. While Ecuador used the advantage of its high-altitude home base to get through CONMEBOL’s qualifying, that will be a non-factor in Germany. Germany do have a potential banana peel when they face neighbor Poland, a fixture with a long bitter history both on and off the pitch. Germany vs. Costa Rica kicks off the tournament on June 9th, 2006 at Munich’s beautiful Allianz Arena.

Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden
Frankly, one of the weaker groups of the draw. England should get through this group easily but they do have a tendency to underestimate opponents. Paraguay are an underrated solid side that not much is known about outside Paraguayan circles. But they have put in solid respectable performances in the previous two tournaments. England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, as in 2002, will face his home nation in Sweden, another quiet side that can’t be overlooked. Trinidad & Tobago are making their tournament debut and should be fun to watch at the very least. And you know Dwight Yorke, currently with Sydney FC, will relish going up against England and their testy media.

Group C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland
One of two groups, along with Group E, that is vying for the “Group of Death” tag, this will indeed be a tough one. Argentina are the second best team in the world, after Brazil of course, but will have their work cut out for them here. The Elephants of the Ivory Coast, or Cote d’Ivoire as they prefer to be called, stampeded into their first tournament largely on the back of Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, while Holland and their bright-orange clad fans will be a delight as always. Serbia & Montenegro (or Yugoslavia as they were known previously) are a sharp, attacking bunch that fly under the radar and could cause an upset. Chelsea fans may note Hernan Crespo (Argentina), Drogba, Arjen Robben (Holland) and former striker Mateja Kezman (Serbia) will all be going against each other.

Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
Here is where we see the tremendous advantage of getting one of the precious eight top group seeds. While Bruce Arena and company will be fighting for their lives in Group E, Mexico should be strolling through their own foursome. Iran are proud and talented and could be a dark horse to get out of the group. Angola and Portugal represent one of the more interesting ties politically, as the two countries have a long, entwined history together. Angola was a former colony of Portugal, shades of Senegal-France ’02 anyone? Portugal are a tight-knit bunch, high on talent but sometimes a bit lacking in inspiration. They still may even be considered outsiders for overall winners if 2002-winning head coach Luis Felipe Scolari can have them focused and ready.

Group E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic
So here we are. Ever since the U.S. were robbed of victory against Germany four years ago, every American fan has looked forward saying, “2006 will be our year", "we have arrived", etc. Well, here’s what we have. Italy three-time winners; Czech Republic—ranked 2nd by FIFA; Ghana—Michael Essien, perhaps one the best players in the world at the moment. The gauntlet has been thrown down Bruce; we’ve talked the talk, now it is time to walk the walk. Oh yeah, and if somehow the U.S. get out of this group, who are they more than likely to face in the Round of 16? Brazil.

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan
Brazil are overwhelming favorites to win their record sixth World Cup. And there is nobody in their group to stop them early on, in their date with destiny. Croatia have surprised before, third-place in 1998 but unlucky to progress from the group in 2002. Australia will be celebrating their first tournament appearance in 30 years and they do have a history against Brazil, not entirely one-sided one either. Beware the Socceroos. Japan are good, but without the home advantage of 2002 they will be lucky to get out of this group.

Group G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo
France, after a trying and mediocre though somehow successful qualifying process, have gotten lucky and received a favorable draw. Les Bleus have had to call on old legs Zidane, Thuram and Makelele to get them to Germany, and now they have been rewarded with a good shot at the Round of 16. The Swiss are underrated but still do not pose a serious threat. South Korea will have a lot to live up to following the dizzying heights of 2002 and are capable of running with anybody and should be favorites to get the second qualifying spot. Togo, making their tournament debut will be happy to be here. But France must remember not to overlook their African opponent as they did so disastrously did in 2002.

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Here is possibly the most enigmatic of the draw. Spain are perpetual underachievers but they have a favorable draw. Ukraine, and namely one Andrey Shevchenko, are making their major tournament debut but beyond the AC Milan superstar they are largely anonymous, difficult to read. Tunisia have gained a bit more exposure since their token three-and-out appearance at 2002, winning the African Cup of Nations in 2004, competing in the Confederations Cup in 2005, as well as placing players at some noteworthy European clubs. Saudi Arabia are made up entirely from their own domestic league so unless one is an expert of said league, they also remain a mystery.

Overall, the tournament has been set-up for a Brazil vs. Argentina Final if you look far enough ahead. But that date in Berlin is exactly seven months from now and anything could happen. Players could get injured, coaches could get sacked and upsets almost certainly will happen. That is why the games are played. Still, what is now finally set in stone are the eight groups, all the fixtures, all the host cities know who will be coming to their town and that the world will stop once the 18th FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 9th, 2006.