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QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT: This was the first World Cup in which the holders were not given automatic qualification to the finals. Germany were guaranteed a place as hosts but 198 teams contested the remaining 31 places.

FINALS: 9 June to 9 July. The thirty-two teams were divided into eight groups of four. The eight group winners and the eight group runners-up qualified for three rounds of knockout matches which produced two finalists.

HOSTS: Germany

MASCOTS: Goleo (A lion wearing a Germany shirt with the number 06) and Pille (a talking football)

FINAL: Italy 1, France 1 (after extra-time), Italy won 5-3 on penalties

MATCHES PLAYED:64

GOALS SCORED: 147

ATTENDANCE: 23,353,655

TOP SCORER: Mirolsav Klose (Germany, 6 goals)

HOME NATIONS: England, the only home nation to reach the finals, did so as winners of their qualifying group. In Germany they were unconvincing in wins against Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago (the smallest country ever to have reached the finals). A draw against Sweden was sufficient for England to top their group again, however, and they were 1-0 winners in the round of 16 match against Ecuador. In their quarterfinal they were beaten on penalties by Portugal.