2006 FIFA World Cup squads explained

This article lists the confirmed national football squads for the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament held in Germany, between 9 June and 9 July 2006. Before announcing their final squad, several teams named a provisional squad of 23 to 33 players, but each country's final squad of 23 players had to be submitted by 15 May 2006. Replacement of injured players was permitted until 24 hours before the team's first World Cup game. Players marked (c) were named as captain for their national squad. Number of caps counts until the start of the World Cup, including all pre-tournament friendlies. Club information is that used by FIFA.^[1] Players for whom this information changed during or prior to the tournament are indicated by footnotes.

Group A

Costa Rica

Head coach: Alexandre Guimarães

Ecuador

Head coach: Luis Fernando Suárez^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Germany

Head coach: Jürgen Klinsmann^{[6] [7]}

Poland

Head coach: Paweł Janas^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]}

Group B

England

Head coach: Sven-Göran Eriksson^{[14] [15]}

Paraguay

Head coach: Aníbal Ruiz^{[16] [17]}

Sweden

Head coach: Lars Lagerbäck^[18]

Trinidad and Tobago

Head coach: Leo Beenhakker^{[19] [20]}

Group C

Argentina

Head coach: José Pekerman^{[21] [22] [23]}

Ivory Coast

Head coach: Henri Michel

Netherlands

Head coach: Marco van Basten

Serbia and Montenegro

Head coach: Ilija Petković^{[24] [25]}

Group D

Angola

Head coach: Oliveira Gonçalves^{[26] [27] [28]}

Iran

Head coach: Branko Ivanković^[29]

Mexico

Head coach: Ricardo La Volpe^{[30] [31] [32] [33] [34]}

Portugal

Head coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari^{[35] [36] [37] [38]}

Group E

Czech Republic

Head coach: Karel Brückner^{[39] [40] [41] [42]}

Ghana

Head coach: Ratomir Dujković^{[43] [44]}

Italy

Head coach: Marcello Lippi^[45]

United States

Head coach: Bruce Arena^{[46] [47] [48]}

Group F

Australia

Head coach: Guus Hiddink^{[49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]}

Brazil

Head coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira^{[55] [56]}

Croatia

Head coach: Zlatko Kranjčar^{[57] [58] [59]}

Japan

Head coach: Zico^{[60] [61]}

Group G

France

Head coach: Raymond Domenech^{[62] [63]}

South Korea

Head coach: Dick Advocaat

Switzerland

Head coach: Köbi Kuhn^{[64] [65] [66]}

Togo

Head coach: Otto Pfister^{[67] [68]}

Group H

Saudi Arabia

Head coach: Marcos Paquetá

Spain

Head coach: Luis Aragonés^[69]

Tunisia

Head coach: Roger Lemerre^{[70] [71]}

Ukraine

Head coach: Oleg Blokhin

Serhiy Fedorov was injured prior to the start of the tournament. His replacement, Vyacheslav Shevchuk, was also injured shortly after filling in. Oleksandr Yatsenko was then called up, and sat on the bench for the last two matches.

^{[72] [73] [74]}

Player representation by league

Country	Players	Percent	Outside national squad
Total	736	100.00%
England	102	13.86%	81
Germany	74	10.05%	54
Italy	60	8.15%	37
France	58	7.89%	45
Spain	52	7.07%	35
Ukraine	25	3.40%	8
Netherlands	25	3.40%	11
Saudi Arabia	24	3.26%	1
Mexico	23	3.125%	4
Portugal	20	2.72%	12
Costa Rica	20	2.72%	0
Others	253	34.38%
Japan	19
Ecuador	18
Iran	17
South Korea	16
United States	15
Switzerland	14
Turkey	12
Scotland	11
Russia	10
Argentina	9
Angola	9
Belgium	9
Poland	8
Serbia and Montenegro	8
Sweden	8
Austria	7
Brazil	7
Denmark	6
Tunisia	6
Paraguay	5
Qatar	5
Australia	4
Ghana	4
Greece	4
Trinidad and Tobago	4
Croatia	3
Czech Republic	3
Israel	3
Norway	2
Bulgaria	1
Cyprus	1
Egypt	1
Guatemala	1
Togo	1
United Arab Emirates	1
Mali	1
Kuwait	1-->

The squads for Italy and Saudi Arabia were made up entirely of players from their respective domestic leagues. Saudi Arabia were the only team with no players from European clubs. The Ivory Coast squad was made up entirely of players employed by foreign clubs, and 22 out of the 23 players were registered in Europe. Although Turkey, Scotland, and Russia failed to qualify for the finals, their domestic leagues were represented by 12, 11, and 10 players respectively. In total, domestic leagues from 48 countries had players at the 2006 World Cup.

Player representation by club

Finalised clubs' listing as per FIFA, excluding players on standby and loans.

Players	Clubs
15	Arsenal
14	Chelsea
13	Juventus, AC Milan
12	Manchester United
11	Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Shakhtar Donetsk
10	Lyon, Real Madrid
9	Al Hilal, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Dynamo Kyiv, Liverpool, Valencia
8	Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Saprissa
7	Al-Ittihad, LDU Quito
6	Atlético Madrid, Basel, Benfica, Guadalajara, Werder Bremen
5	Alajuelense, AZ, El Nacional, Paris Saint-Germain, Red Star Belgrade, Rennes, Roma, VfB Stuttgart, Tottenham Hotspur

Coaches representation by country

Nº	Country	Coaches
4	Brazil	Marcos Paquetá (Saudi Arabia), Carlos Alberto Parreira, Luiz Felipe Scolari (Portugal), Zico (Japan)
	Netherlands	Dick Advocaat (South Korea), Marco van Basten, Leo Beenhakker (Trinidad and Tobago), Guus Hiddink (Australia)
3	France	Raymond Domenech, Roger Lemerre (Tunisia), Henri Michel (Ivory Coast)
2	Argentina	José Pekerman, Ricardo La Volpe (Mexico)
	Croatia	Branko Ivanković (Iran), Zlatko Kranjčar
	Germany	Jürgen Klinsmann, Otto Pfister (Togo)
	Sweden	Sven-Göran Eriksson (England), Lars Lagerbäck
1	Angola	Oliveira Gonçalves
	Colombia	Luis Fernando Suárez (Ecuador)
	Costa Rica	Alexandre Guimarães
	Czech Republic	Karel Brückner
	Italy	Marcello Lippi
	Poland	Paweł Janas
	Serbia	Ratomir Dujković (Ghana)
	Serbia and Montenegro	Ilija Petković
	Spain	Luis Aragonés
	Switzerland	Köbi Kuhn
	Ukraine	Oleg Blokhin
	United States	Bruce Arena
	Uruguay	Aníbal Ruiz (Paraguay)

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany – Teams . https://web.archive.org/web/20070603161850/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/teams/index.html . dead . 3 June 2007 . FIFA.com . Fédération Internationale de Football Association . 24 May 2006 .
2. Borja joined Olympiacos following the tournament. Web site: Olympiacos sign Ecuador striker. UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 1 May 2006. 18 June 2006.
3. Castillo joined Red Star Belgrade following the tournament. Web site: Ecuadorian World Cup winger Castillo joins Serbian club Red Star. Xinhua News Agency. People's Daily. 29 August 2006. 29 October 2014.
4. Valencia was on loan to Recreativo prior to the tournament.Web site: Luis Valencia. FIFA . 18 June 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060618090441/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/202544_VALENCIA_Luis.html. 18 June 2006 . live.
5. Reasco joined São Paulo following the tournament.Web site: Neicer Reasco. FIFA. 18 June 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060618090404/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/178841_REASCO_Neicer.html. 18 June 2006 . live.
6. Ballack joined Chelsea after his contract with Bayern Munich expired on 1 July.Web site: Ballack cheered by Chelsea challenge . UEFA . Union of European Football Associations . 15 May 2006 . 18 June 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060526084435/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D421515.html . 26 May 2006 . live .
7. [1. FC Köln]
8. Kosowski was on loan to Southampton prior to the tournament, and became a free agent following its conclusion.Web site: Kosowski wants last farewell . football.co.uk . 25 April 2006 . 18 June 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060512215437/http://www.football.co.uk/southampton/kosowski_wants_last_farewell_226556.shtml . 12 May 2006 . dead .
9. Bak became a free agent following the tournament.
10. Krzynówek joined VfL Wolfsburg following the tournament.Web site: Leverkusen capture Swiss starlet. UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 16 May 2006. 21 June 2006.
11. Rasiak was on loan to Southampton prior to the tournament, and joined the club permanently following its conclusion.Web site: Poland looking to add extra polish . UEFA . Union of European Football Associations . 2 May 2006 . 21 June 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060526201942/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/WorldCup/news/Kind%3D1/newsId%3D418166.html . 26 May 2006 . dead .
12. Żewłakow joined Olympiacos following the tournament.Web site: Iuliano returns to Italy. UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 30 January 2006. 21 June 2006.
13. Bosacki was called up after Damian Gorawski sustained an injury and had to withdraw from the squad.Web site: Injuries spell late squad changes. FIFA. 8 June 2006. 21 June 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060628233920/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060608/1/76z7.html. 28 June 2006 . live.
14. Bridge was on loan to Fulham prior to the tournament. Web site: Nélson fit for Mersey mission . UEFA . Union of European Football Associations . 2 March 2006 . 21 June 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060525131753/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D400057.html . 25 May 2006 . live .
15. Carson was on loan to Sheffield Wednesday prior to the tournament. Web site: Scott Carson, Liverpool. https://archive.today/20080709025959/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Players/Postings/2005/05/ScottCarson_profile.htm. dead. 9 July 2008. The Football Association. 21 June 2006.
16. Paredes joined Sporting CP following the tournament.
17. Caniza joined Atlas following the tournament.
18. Elmander had a pre-contract agreement with Toulouse prior to the tournament, and joined the club following its conclusion.
19. Hislop joined FC Dallas following the tournament.
20. [Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]
21. Abbondanzieri joined Getafe following the tournament.
22. Saviola was on loan to Sevilla prior to the tournament.
23. Scaloni was on loan to West Ham United prior to the tournament.
24. Vukić was on loan to Partizan prior to the tournament.
25. Ljuboja was on loan to VfB Stuttgart prior to the tournament, and joined the club permanently following its conclusion.
26. Ricardo became a free agent following the tournament.
27. Akwá became a free agent following the tournament.
28. Marques was on loan to Hull City prior to the tournament.
29. Nekounam joined Osasuna following the tournament.
30. Salcido joined PSV Eindhoven following the tournament.
31. Osorio joined VfB Stuttgart following the tournament.
32. Pardo joined VfB Stuttgart following the tournament.
33. Borgetti joined Al Ittihad following the tournament.
34. Fonseca joined Benfica following the tournament.
35. Caneira was on loan to Sporting CP prior to the tournament.
36. Costinha joined Atlético Madrid following the tournament.
37. Maniche was on loan to Chelsea prior to the tournament.
38. Postiga was on loan to Saint-Étienne prior to the tournament.
39. Galásek joined 1. FC Nürnberg following the tournament.
40. Sionko joined Rangers on a Bosman ruling following the tournament.
41. Koller joined Monaco following the tournament.
42. Rosický joined Arsenal following the tournament.
43. Gyan was on loan to Modena prior to the tournament.
44. Dramani joined Gençlerbirliği following the tournament.
45. Grosso joined Inter Milan following the tournament.
46. Howard was loaned to Everton following the tournament.
47. Albright was called up after an injury to Frankie Hejduk.
48. Berhalter, who joined 1860 Munich following the tournament, was called up after an injury to Cory Gibbs.
49. Popovic's Crystal Palace contract expired following the tournament.
50. Skoko was on loan to Stoke City prior to the tournament.
51. Lazaridis joined Perth Glory following the tournament.
52. Beauchamp joined 1. FC Nürnberg following the tournament.
53. Thompson was on loan to PSV Eindhoven prior to the tournament.
54. Kennedy joined 1. FC Nürnberg following the tournament.
55. Zé Roberto became a free agent following the tournament.
56. Mineiro was called up following an injury to Edmílson.
57. Pletikosa was on loan to Hajduk Split prior to the tournament.
58. Tudor was on loan to Siena prior to the tournament.
59. [Jerko Leko]
60. Nakata was on loan to Bolton Wanderers before the tournament.
61. Takahara joined Eintracht Frankfurt following the tournament.
62. Landreau joined Paris Saint-Germain following the tournament.
63. Barthez became a free agent following the tournament.
64. Frei joined Borussia Dortmund following the tournament.
65. David Degen joined Borussia Mönchengladbach following the tournament.
66. Yakin was called up after an injury to Johan Vonlanthen.
67. News: Confusion over Pfister comeback . BBC Sport . British Broadcasting Corporation . 12 June 2006 . 28 April 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070101051251/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/togo/5072730.stm. 1 January 2007. live. Disputes over the Togo players' pay bonuses caused Pfister to walk out after Togo's first match, but he returned before their second match.
68. Atsou was called up as a replacement for the injured Karim Guede.
69. Pernía was called up as a replacement for the injured Asier del Horno, and joined Atlético Madrid following the tournament.
70. Guemamdia was called up as a replacement for the injured Mehdi Meriah.
71. Ben Saada was called up as a replacement for the injured Issam Jomaa.
72. Yatsenko was called up as a replacement for the injured Serhiy Fedorov and Vyacheslav Shevchuk.
73. Shevchenko joined Chelsea following the tournament.
74. Sviderskyi was on loan to Arsenal Kyiv prior to the tournament.