Sweden battled their way through an awkward qualifying group which included Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Iceland and qualified as one of the two best placed runners-up.
World Cup 2006 Preview – England
Weve seen it all before and do the tabloids genuinely believe this is Englands best chance of success?
World Cup 2006 Preview – Switzerland
Switzerland qualified from the same group as Group F opponents France and also remained unbeaten in 10 qualifying matches, with four wins and six draws.
World Cup 2006 Preview – France
France were required to call on the cavalry to ensure qualification to the finals. Stuck in fourth place in their group, retired veterans Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram returned to the side in an attempt to turn around the fortunes of the failing side.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Togo
First-time World Cup qualification for the tiny west African nation was such a great achievement the countrys president declared a national holiday to celebrate.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Germany
Former national favourite and Tottenham Hotspur diving enthusiast Jurgen Klinsmann takes control over the next generation of German players who are keen to end 16 years of hurt and win the World Cup for a fourth time on their own soil.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad & Tobago will be looking to cause a few upsets after qualifying for the World Cup finals for the very first time at the eleventh attempt.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Ghana
After winning four African Cup of Nations titles and producing players of the calibre of Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah, the Black Stars have qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 10 attempts, stretching back to 1962.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Tunisia
Tunisia qualified for their third straight finals in dramatic fashion in the final round of fixtures. They needed just a point against arch-rivals Morocco but were trailing 2-1 until Nuremberg midfielder Adel Chadli netted the crucial equaliser 20 minutes from the end.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Holland
New coach Marco van Basten has proven to be a revelation off the pitch as much as he was on it since taking over the Dutch national team.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Ukraine
This will be the Ukraines first major tournament they have qualified for since narrowly missing out every time following their independence in 1991.
World Cup 2006 Preview – Iran
Irans last appearance in the World Cup, back in 1998, produced a shock 2-1 victory over the United States, in what could have been described as a very diplomatic result.