The time has rolled around once again. The time when the nations of the world pit their best sportsmen against each other in a game of skill and wits. They don't call it the beautiful game for nothing.
That's right! WORLD CUP TIME!
----------
HOW THE DRAW WORKS
- 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 US, Costa Rica and Trinidad drawn into seven different groups.
The 32 teams are arranged into these pots:
POT ONE (SEEDS)
Germany (hosts)
Brazil (holders)
Argentina
England
France
Italy
Mexico
Spain
POT TWO
Australia
Angola
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Togo
Tunisia
Ecuador
Paraguay
POT THREE
Croatia
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
POT FOUR
Iran
Japan
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Costa Rica
Trinidad & Tobago
US
Special pot: Serbia & Montenegro
In a few minutes time these teams will be drawn into 8 groups (A-F). Then next Summer (2006), the fun will really begin.
----------
EDIT: Here are the draws for the groups:
For those who don't know, the teams play the others in their group. The top 2 teams from the 8 groups (ones with most points - 3 for a win, 1 for a draw) move onto the knockout stages. This carries on until 2 teams are left who then play in the final. The winner gets the World Cup!
This year England have a real chance.
I don't know about you guys. You know nothing about Football. You call it Soccer for heavnes sake! Why call a sport where you hold the ball "Football" and one where you kick the BALL along the ground with your FOOT "Soccer"? What's all that about?!
Threaded Mode