In a historic moment in the annals of Costa Rican soccer, the national team won the opportunity to play the very first game of the 2006 World Cup against the Germany.  As per World Cup tradition, the host country plays the first match against one team from its group.  Since it is the only match played at that time, and since it is the first match, literally the whole world is watching.  As the Polish team coach Pawel Janas said: ‘Playing the hosts is a great thing, it’s just a shame it isn’t the opening match. That would have been even nicer."

Costa Rica was the lucky team to get that match.  And while Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann expressed delight about his host team’s opponents at the 2006 World Cup, Franz Beckenbauer, the team to be wary of  the opening match. 

‘Opening matches have been embarrassing for the favourites and caused surprises. 1990 in Italy Argentina lost to Cameroon and in 2002 France lost to Senegal. I hope we won’t see another surprise,’  he said. ‘Costa Rica are delighted, who has the chance to play in front of an billion-strong audience in the opener? It is special for a small country like Costa Rica,’ he added.

Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes agreed. ‘I liked the draw very much. We have a chance to advance. Germany are naturally favourites but that doesn’t mean they will beat everyone’ .  The Costa Rican players also expressed satisfaction at the opportunity. 

The team captain, Luis Marin of Alajuela said "Opening the world cup, you can’t put a price on it."  He also thought that the overall draw was favorable. "It’s not easy, but we can fight for a spot in the next round."  Costa Rica has appeared in the World Cup twice, in Italy 1990 and in Korea-Japan 2002.  The other 3 teams from CONCACAF were also commenting on their luck in the draw. 

Mexico was chosen to be a group leader in Group D.  As was to be expected, they are the strongest team in the group and should pass to the elimination rounds with little trouble.

The United States was a loser in the drawing.  While the real "group of death" has yet to be determined, Group E looks like a real possibity with Italy, Ghana, United States, and Czech Republic.  These are all proven winners, experienced in World Cup play and historically among the strongest teams in their regions. 

Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to have the opportunity to play against mother England and should have and outside shot at passing through. 

Costa Rica is estatic and feels like if they have any chance to beat Germany, it would be in the opening match.  Afterwards, they should have reasonable odds against Poland and Ecuador.

Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden

Group C
Argentina
Côte d’Ivoire
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands

Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

Group E
Italy
Ghana
United States
Czech Republic

Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G
France
Switzerland
Korea Republic
Togo

Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia