Players going to the World Cup know that, if they make a big blunder in their first game, they probably won't play another.
Germany will need Michael Ballack to reprise his starring World Cup role from four years ago if Juergen Klinsmann's inexperienced team are to get close to a home triumph and secure the nation's fourth World Cup success.
Only 7 percent of Germans expect their team to win the World Cup on home soil, according to a poll released Monday.
Ecuador, who had never played at a World Cup finals before 2002, will be taking part in their second successive tournament in Germany.
"The players of the national team gathered for preparatory training yesterday under one flag, and woke up this morning without a state," said chairman of Serbia and Montenegro's football federation Tomislav Karadzic.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter took questions on topics relating to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany? and general FIFA business as part of an information meeting with more than 40 journalists from around the world.
Throughout Asian soccer, one question looms: Can South Korea come close to matching its sensational run to fourth place in the last World Cup?
Brazil were accorded a low key send off as they left for Europe on a quest to claim a sixth World Cup.
Angola's Banco Internacional de Credito (BIC) has promised to give $5,000 to any of their country's players who scores at the FIFA World Cup?
'A time to make friends' may be the official slogan of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany? but for a good number of the players in the 31 visiting squads, 'A time to meet old friends' would just as apt as they return to their adopted home for the finals.
Pele believes it will be harder for Brazil to win a sixth World Cup because it is the favorite.
FIFA released the official squad lists for the 32 teams that will play in next month's World Cup.
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