Participants: 32 (Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia & Montenegro, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, United States)

The 18th and last World Cup final to date was held on European soil in Germany. The German’s had lost their touch in winning World Cup’s and seen Brazil to stretch their titles to 5, two ahead of Germany. Although the Germans were eager to catch up, they went into the tournament touted as one of the worst German sides in it’s history. However, they soon proved the critics wrong and despite not making the final they did finish in third-place after winning the third-place play-off against Portugal.

Italy and France contested the final of which it was won by the Italians as they notched up their fourth title. However, they had to do it the hard way when they won the tournament via a nerve-racking penalty shoot-out.

The 2006 World Cup was one of the most watched events ever with an estimated 27 billion viewers tuning in to watch the 64 matches played throughout the month the tournament was in action.

There was eight new nations who qualified for the 2006 World Cup with Angola (South Africa), Ivory Coast (South Africa), Czech Republic (Formerly known as Czechoslovakia), Ghana & Togo (Both South African), Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine and Serbia & Montenegro.

Final:

Italy 1 – 1 France (Italy win on penalties) – Olympiastadion ~ 69,000

Goalscorers:

Italy – Materazzi
France – Zidane

Third Place Play-Off:

Germany 3 – 1 Portugal

Goalscorers:

Germany – Schweinsteiger x2, Petit (Og)
Portugal – Nuno Gomes

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