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.
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.
^Rasiak was on loan to Southampton prior to the tournament, and joined the club permanently following its conclusion."Poland looking to add extra polish". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 2 May 2006. Archived from the original on 26 May 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
^Żewłakow joined Olympiacos following the tournament."Iuliano returns to Italy". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
^Bridge was on loan to Fulham prior to the tournament. "Nélson fit for Mersey mission". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 2 March 2006. Archived from the original on 25 May 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
^Larsson had a pre-contract agreement with Helsingborg prior to the tournament, and joined the club following its conclusion. "Larsson looks to bow out in style". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 16 May 2006. Archived from the original on 10 July 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
^Svensson joined Rangers following the tournament. "Rangers move delights Svensson". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
^Källström joined Lyon following the tournament. "Lyon land Swede Källström". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2006.
^Elmander had a pre-contract agreement with Toulouse prior to the tournament, and joined the club following its conclusion.
^Hislop joined FC Dallas following the tournament.
^Abbondanzieri joined Getafe following the tournament.
^Saviola was on loan to Sevilla prior to the tournament.
^Scaloni was on loan to West Ham United prior to the tournament.
^"Petković quits in World Cup row". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 June 2006. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2011. Petković withdrew from the squad following accusations he was only called up due to nepotism. He had initially been selected as a replacement for injured striker Mirko Vučinić. Thus, the side entered the tournament with only 22 players in the squad.
^Vukić was on loan to Partizan prior to the tournament.
^Ljuboja was on loan to VfB Stuttgart prior to the tournament, and joined the club permanently following its conclusion.
^Stojković joined Nantes following the tournament.
^Ricardo became a free agent following the tournament.
^Akwá became a free agent following the tournament.
^Marques was on loan to Hull City prior to the tournament.
^Nekounam joined Osasuna following the tournament.
^"Confusion over Pfister comeback". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 12 June 2006. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2011. Disputes over the Togo players' pay bonuses caused Pfister to walk out after Togo's first match, but he returned before their second match.
^Akoto had not played for Admira Wacker since the end of 2005 due to a contract dispute, and had been training with Austrian club Schwechat before the tournament.
^Atsou was called up as a replacement for the injured Karim Guede.
^Pernía was called up as a replacement for the injured Asier del Horno, and joined Atlético Madrid following the tournament.
^Guemamdia was called up as a replacement for the injured Mehdi Meriah.
^Ben Saada was called up as a replacement for the injured Issam Jomaa.
^Saidi was on loan to Lecce prior to the tournament.
