2006 World Cup Hosts Announced

Germany has won the right to host the 2006 World Cup after the final vote was held overnight.

Germany has won the right to host the 2006 World Cup after the final vote was held overnight.

The third and final round of voting saw a close result between contenders Germany and South Africa, with the Executive Committee voting 12-11 to award Germany the hosting honours.

Morocco was the first country to be eliminated from the ballot and was followed by England in the subsequent round.

The decision means that Africa will have to wait at least another four years before it can host it-s first ever World Cup finals.

This will be the second time Germany has hosted the finals, but the first as a unified country. West Germany hosted the 1974 World Cup finals- the only time Australia qualified for the finals.