Old and new stars scored, and a new milestone was reached, on WED 20 SEP 2006. more...

The mystery was drawn out of one group, but another was further muddled, on THU 15 JUN 2006. more...

Ecuador served notice to Group A favourites Germany as the 2006 Men's World Cup opened. more...

The final draw for the 2006 Men's World Cup paired up several well known opponents, starting in Group B, where for the second straight World Cup, England will face Sweden in the first round. In Group G, qualifying rivals France and Switzerland, who battled in UEFA Group 4, meet again. Brazil, Australia, and Japan, who regularly meet at Confederations Cup tournaments, are together again in Group F. But the consensus Group of Death is likely to be Group C, made up of Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia-Montenegro, and the Netherlands. The tournament's opening match will be Germany-Costa Rica, FRI 09 JUN 2006 in München. more...

The only thing to be determined in the CONCACAF final round on WED 12 OCT 2005 was the playoff team's identity. more...

The last of the usual suspects qualified in the CONCACAF final round on SAT 08 OCT 2005. more...

The next place at Germany 2006 was claimed in the CONCACAF final round on WED 07 SEP 2005. more...

At least one of CONCACAF's superpowers was guaranteed to qualify in the CONCACAF final round on SAT 03 SEP 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on WED 17 AUG 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on WED 08 JUN 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on SAT 04 JUN 2005. more...

Costa Rica forward Whayne WILSON died in hospital on WED 18 MAY 2005 several days after a weekend automobile accident. Much like the death of Ecuador's Otilino TENORIO, the 29 year old Wilson reportedly crashed into a truck as he was on his way to visit his family. Wilson was only just beginning to make a name for himself with the Ticos, scoring on a penalty against Panama in the CONCACAF final round; his professional career included time with numerous Costa Rican clubs, most recently Brujas.

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on WED 30 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on the weekend of SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR 2005. more...

Albania and Costa Rica have had their punishments for violence at recent Germany 2006 qualifiers reduced on appeal. Albania must now play only their next home match, against Georgia on SAT 04 JUN 2005, behind closed doors and must pay a fine of only 20,000 Swiss francs [US$17,000]. Costa Rica must still play Panama in a closed setting on SAT 26 MAR 2005 but must only pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs [US$8,600].

On WED 09 MAR 2005, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to punish Albania and Costa Rica with closed door bans after crowd trouble at recent Men's World Cup qualifiers. Albania's UEFA Group 2 match against the Ukraine on WED 09 FEB 2005 was marred by objects thrown from the stand and a pitch invasion after the final whistle. Because Albania had already been fined and warned for a previous incident, it was fined 40,000 Swiss francs [US$34,500] and ordered to play the next two home matches [against Georgia on SAT 04 JUN 2005 and Kazakhstan on SAT 03 SEP 2005] behind closed doors. Missiles were also thrown at the CONCACAF final round match between Costa Rica and Mexico on the same day, requiring a police escort as the Mexican squad left the pitch. Costa Rica's fine is 20,000 Swiss francs [US$17,000], with the home match against Panama on SAT 26 MAR 2005 also to be played behind closed doors. Both nations can appeal the decisions.