The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th staging of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international association football world championship tournament. It was held from June 9 to July 9, 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Italy won their fourth world championship, defeating France 5–3 in a penalty shootout after extra time finished in a 1–1 draw. Germany defeated Portugal 3–1 to finish third.
Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six populated continents participated in the qualification process which began in December 2003. Thirty-two teams qualified from this process for the final tournament.