All the World Cup 2006 News

It was "time to make friends" again in Frankfurt on Monday as the world game turned its gaze on the German metropolis for the second time within the space of 11 months. The global family of football first gathered here on 5 December 2003, filling the cavernous Festival Hall for a mighty celebration as 157 hopeful nations entered the Draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup?. This time, on 1 November 2004, the champions of the world game assembled in the smaller but equally distinguished surroundings of the Mozart room at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt. The world champions, the Olympic gold medallists, the European champions and the top nations from all the FIFA confederations had gathered to witness the draw for the group stage of the FIFA Confederations Cup, to be contested between 15 and 29 June 2005.

FIFA World Cup? Organising Committee Chairman Lennart Johansson concluded a two-day inspection tour of three 2006 FIFA World Cup Host Cities with words of praise for the local organisers.

The Swede visited the stadiums in Frankfurt and in M?nchen, venue for the Opening Match on 9 June 2006, before rounding off his tour at the Olympic stadium in Berlin which he described as "a masterpiece". The German capital's historic but totally reconstructed arena will stage the 18th FIFA World Cup Final on 9 July 2006. Commented Johansson: "This stadium is a successful blend of traditional and modern elements. The stadium has been modernised brick by brick, a quite extraordinary achievement. We all have an ongoing duty to preserve our heritage."

15,000 apply for 2006 FIFA World Cup? Volunteer Programme
The first recruitment phase for 2006 FIFA World Cup? volunteers began just three weeks ago, but already 15,000 hopefuls have applied to the German Organising Committee for the much sought-after positions.

"It's wonderful to see just how many folk want to play a part in creating a superb event for all our visitors in 2006. This is a genuinely impressive total ? and the recruitment process still has plenty of time to run," commented OC vice-president responsible for the programme Dr Theo Zwanziger.

Thursday saw the setting up of the work group on fan and visitor support at the headquarters of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee Germany.

The objective of the work group, meeting for their third round of consultation, is to prevent hostility between fans at the FIFA World Cup? and to foster a cheerful tournament which brings nations closer together, breaks down prejudices and gives meaning to the slogan "A time to make friendsTM".