WORLD CUP 2006 PREDICTIONS
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Here are the groups with predictions for the top two teams in each group based on the FIFA World Rankings from January 2006.

With the top two teams qualifying from each group there are a few surprising results using the FIFA World Rankings. *** To see how the groups finished in the World Cup 2006 click here - the comments in blue below were made after the group games was completed ***

In Group A, Germany are hosts and favourites to top the group. There is only one ranking place between Costa Rica and Poland and Ecuador came third in the South American qualification group. *** Germany did qualify top of the group but Ecuador came second and Costa Rica fourth in the group stage so Ecuador went through to the second round ***

In Group B, England have not had good results against Sweden of late and there are only five ranking places between them (so these places could easily be switched). Paraguay also beat Argentina at home in qualifying for the finals so may push for qualification.*** This group finished as predicted ***

In Group C, there is only one ranking place between Holland (3rd) and Argentina (4th). The Ivory Coast did well in the African Nations Cup in 2006 with Kolo Toure (Arsenal) and Didier Drogba (Chelsea) playing for them. *** Argentina topped the group on goal difference from Holland but the Ivory Coast came third and Serbia and Montenegro came fourth as predicted ***

In Group D there are three ranking places between Mexico and Portugal and Iran could qualify too (19th in the rankings). ***  Portugal finished ahead of Mexico in this group but both the predicted teams went through to the second round. Angola finished third and Iran came fourth ***

Group E is the toughest group to qualify from in theory with the third placed team having a FIFA World Ranking of 12. With their previous record in World Cup's Italy could easily qualify at the expense of the Czech Republic or the USA. *** The FIFA World rankings got this group totally wrong - Italy topped the group and were favourites to do so with the bookmakers and Ghana came through in second place ahead of the Czech Republic and USA - FIFA's second seeds are therefore out of the competition ***

Brazil should qualify top of Group F but Croatia are only five ranking places behind Japan. Australia could also be dangerous opponents if they play well. *** FIFA's number one seeds Brazil topped this group which was not too difficult to predict - but Australia came through in second place to qualify and Japan came fourth. ***

In Group G, France should qualify top (although they have had some shocks in recent years). Switzerland should push South Korea for the second place. *** Switzerland qualified top of the group with France in second place, South Korea were third and Togo fourth ***

In Group H, Spain should qualify top with a ranking of 5 but any of the other three teams could get second place. *** Spain did qualify top of the group but the Ukraine came through in second place ahead of Tunisia and Saudi Arabia ***

For more first round, second round, quarter finals, semi finals and final information (including dates) click on the World Cup 2006 screenchart
 

SECOND ROUND

*** PREDICTED AT THE START OF THE SECOND ROUND ***

Using the latest May 2006 FIFA rankings for the real second round draw (with ranking in brackets):

24 June: Germany (19)  v  Sweden (16)
24 June: Mexico (4)  v  Argentina (9)
25 June: England (10)  v  Ecuador (39)
25 June: Holland (3)  v  Portugal (7)
26 June: Italy (13) v Australia (42)
26 June: Switzerland (35)  v  Ukraine (45)
27 June: Brazil (1)  v  Ghana (48)
27 June: Spain (5)  v  France (8)

Using the same rankings approach the quarter finals would be between:

30 June: Sweden (16) v Mexico (4) - but it more likely to be Germany (hosts) v Argentina (on form)
30 June: Italy (13) v Switzerland (35)
1 July: England (10) v Holland (3)
1 July: Brazil (1) v Spain (5)

The semi finals would be Mexico/Sweden v Italy/Switzerland and Holland/England v Brazil/Spain and using the rankings Brazil should beat Mexico in the final. It should be noted however that Argentina are the team on form and if they beat Mexico and Germany/Sweden they could face Italy in the semi finals.

Analysis of predictions: The first quarter final on 30 June was between Germany and Argentina as expected but Italy played the Ukraine rather than Switzerland in the second quarter final. Portugal beat Holland to face England in the third quarter final while France beat Spain to face Brazil on 1 July. According to the FIFA rankings there were therefore three surprises in the second round - Ukraine beat Switzerland on penalties, Portugal beat Holland 1-0 (after 4 sendings off and many bookings) and France beat Spain 3-1 (the 8th seeds beat the 5th seeds in a high quality game).

The semi finalists were Germany (19th seeds but hosts), Portugal (7th seeds), Italy (13th seeds) and France (8th seeds). Italy (13) then beat France (8) in the final which was also not expected when looking at the FIFA rankings. To summarise (looking at the second round onwards) when the two teams are less than 10 FIFA rankings places apart, any result is possible!

See all England's results between Euro 1996 and the end of 2005 here.