Frankfurt - At its meeting in Frankfurt today - Thursday, 4 December - the FIFA executive ratified ticket prices for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Chaired by President Joseph S. Blatter, the Executive Committee acceded to the proposal put forward by the Ticketing Sub-Committee presided over by vice-president, David Will.

The executive decided that, in addition to the play-off already fixed between CONCACAF and AFC, CONMEBOL's representative should meet Oceania's representative to settle the four half slots for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Decisions as to the exact match timings in November 2005 and which team should play the first leg at home will be passed by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup at a later date.

With regard to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the executive will reach a decision on the host at a meeting in Zurich on 15 May 2004. Furthermore, it confirmed that, as a matter of principle, only one association will be entitled to host a FIFA World Cup.

The committee also:

- ratified the decision from the Board of FIFA Marketing & TV AG regarding a new strategy for marketing media rights

- decided, at the request of the Committee for Security Matters and Fair Play, to introduce a standardised global FIFA fair play plan covering substance and form that will be applied by the various bodies (FIFA, confederations, associations, leagues, clubs etc.) throughout the football world

- noted reports from the chairmen of the various organising committees regarding the latest news on the current U-20 World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates and the status quo on preparations for FIFA competitions in 2004 (Olympic Football Tournaments Athens, U-19 Women's World Championship Thailand, Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei).

The entire Executive Committee voiced its unconditional approval of FIFA President Blatter's appeal for more discipline and respect for the football bodies of FIFA, the confederations and associations and, consequently, for their respective committees.

COURTESY FIFA - Frankfurt/Zurich: At its meeting in Frankfurt today under the chairmanship of FIFA senior vice-president Julio Grondona (deputising for the indisposed Lennart Johansson), the Organising Committee for the 2006 FIFA World Cup ratified the procedure for the preliminary draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup to be held on 5 December.

The match schedule for the World Cup final competition, due to kick off in Munich on 9 June and to culminate in the final in Berlin on 9 July 2006, was also approved.

A total of 197 associations, plus New Caledonia, have enrolled for the 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM preliminary competition. In the meantime, Guam, Nepal and the Central African Republic have announced their withdrawal. As preliminary competitions have been held in Asia and Africa, 156 associations will now be drawn by lots in Frankfurt. No lots will be drawn for South America, where the qualifying round played in the league system has already started.

With Germany qualifying automatically as hosts, initial estimates suggest that over 850 qualifying matches will be played to determine the remaining 31 World Cup finalists. During the qualifying round for the 2002 World Cup, 777 matches were contested.

The FIFA Organising Committee passed a detailed, step-by-step procedure for the draw and the manner in which the teams will be allocated to the special bowls. It was also decided how the various stages of the preliminary competition would be played - either league or knockout. The information may be accessed through the official website www.fifaworldcup.com.

Spellbound

The entire football world will be casting their eyes towards Frankfurt in the late afternoon of Friday, 5 December 2003. The actual ceremony for the preliminary draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM will begin on the dot of 17.05 CET in the historic Festhalle in the metropolis of Frankfurt.

An audience of some 3,500 people, including celebrities from politics, sport and show business alongside 700 media reporters, will be watching the ceremony live. Headed by FIFA Deputy General Secretary Jérôme Champagne, ten stars will have the honour of drawing the names: six-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, Italian FIFA referee Pierluigi Collina, former Mexican national goalkeeper Jorge Campos, USA women's international Brandi Chastain, former international players Bum Kun Cha (Korea) and Yasuhiko Okudera (Japan), Ghana's football star Abédi Pelé and Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour as well as Oceania's Player of the Century Wynton Rufer, and Manfred Schäfer, who took part with Australia in the 1974 World Cup in Germany.

Final competition match schedule approved - kick-off in Munich, final in Berlin

Frankfurt/Zurich, 3 December 2003 -At its meeting today in Frankfurt, the Organising Committee for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany? under the chairmanship of FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona approved the match schedule for the final competition to be held in Germany from 9 June to 9 July 2006.

The committee thus acceded to the wishes of the local organising committee to stage the opening match in Munich and the final in Berlin. The two semi-finals will take place in Munich and Dortmund.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter expressed his satisfaction with the match schedule: "FIFA and the LOC have worked as partners together to draw up a balanced match schedule ensuring equitable distribution of the matches among the twelve venues. We have also made sure that the teams meeting in the last sixteen will be given the same number of rest days."

Eight venues will each host five matches, while Berlin, Dortmund, Munich and Stuttgart will each have the honour of an extra sixth match. Furthermore, in the group stage, no team will play in the same stadium twice, and there will also be at least two days in between matches in the same stadium. In addition, each venue will play host to two matches featuring one of the top-seeded teams.

The complete match schedule can be found on the official website, www.fifaworldcup.com . The draw to decide the groups for the final competition will be held in Leipzig in December 2005.

OFC Auckland: The Oceania Football Confederation will be well represented in an exclusive group of guest draw assistants for the preliminary draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany on 5 December 2003 commencing at 1705hrs (local time), / 0505hrs (NZT)/ 0205hrs (AEST).

Oceania's Player of the last Century and 1982 World Cup New Zealand All White, Wynton Rufer, will partner 1974 World Cup Australian Socceroo, Manfred Schäfer, in an impressive line-up of world famous personalities, which include six-time Formula One world champion, Michael Schumacher, Double Women's World Cup and Olympic gold medal winner, Brandi Chastain and star referee, Pierluigi Collina.

Rufer and Schäfer will partake in the draw ceremony on the main stage of Frankfurt's historical Festhalle auditorium in front of an anticipated live television audience of millions watching around the world. FIFA Deputy General Secretary, Jerome Champagne, will preside over the draw with over 700 journalists and 3000 others expected on hand to witness the event. Also in the seated audience will be FIFA president, Joseph S. Blatter and Brazilian legend Pele.

 The full list of draw assistants taking part in the draw is as follows;

Asian Zone: Bum Kun Cha (former South Korean rep), Yasuhiko Okudera (former Japan rep)

African Zone: Abedi Pelé (former Ghana rep), Youssou N'Dour (Senegal: popular singer/songwriter)

North, Central America, Caribbean Zone: Brandi Chastain (USA women's rep), Jorge Campos (Mexico rep)

Oceania Zone: Wynton Rufer (former New Zealand rep), Manfred Schäfer (former Australia rep)

European Zone: Michael Schumacher (Germany: Six-time Formula One World Champion), Pierluigi Collina (Italian star referee)

* Please note there will be no representatives for South American as their World Cup qualifiers have already commenced.

 OFC Representative Profiles:

Wynton Rufer (New Zealand)

38 international caps and 17 goals for New Zealand

"Oceania Player of the Century"

1989-1995 Bundesliga (Werder Bremen: 174 caps, 59 goals)

1992/1993 German Championship, German Cup 1990/1991 and 1993/1994

1991/1992 European Cup Winners' Cup

1982 FIFA World Cup finals participation

Manfred Schäfer (Australia)

73 international caps and one goal for Australia

Born in the former East Germany

1974 FIFA World Cup finals participation (3 appearances) for Australia

Assistant coach at Australian National League club Parramatta Power

OFC Auckland: The OFC "Indigenous" Talented Coaching Scheme got underway with the opening of the OFC Senior Coaching License course at the OFC Academy in Auckland this morning.

In officially opening the ten day course, OFC Honorary President and Oceania Ambassador, Charles Dempsey, told the course participants of the important role they played in Oceania and encouraged them to set high goals.

"The role you play in the development of the game is crucial," explained Mr Dempsey.

"You have a duty to impart the knowledge you will get from this course, on to others in your countries."

The course facilitator, Alan Gillett of England, got the ball rolling by introducing the course and outlining the content which will include both theoretical and practical (outdoor) sessions.

He said he was enthusiastic and keen to get started but warned the participants to expect some intensive days ahead. The course participants will attend an NSL match at Ericsson Stadium this coming weekend when the Football Kingz play Adelaide United.

ASA: The Young Socceroos have scored a hard-fought 2-1 win over Canada and in the process taken a giant step towards a berth in the knockout round of 16 at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A goal early in each half to Alex Brosque and substitute Matt McKay respectively were enough to secure victory after scores were locked 1-1 at the interval.

Looking for a win after drawing 1-1 with the Czech Republic in their opening game last Friday, the Young Socceroos got off to a perfect start when Alex Brosque opened the scoring after just 12 minutes. Carl Valeri picked up the ball in midfield, before threading a short pass through the defence for Brosque on the edge of the box who drew the goalkeeper and scored coolly from 12 yards.

The Australians nearly doubled their advantage just a few minutes later when Spase Dilevski's cross from the right was knocked down by Brosque for Scott McDonald, who with his back to goal, latched onto an awkward bouncing ball but fired it narrowly wide.

With the Young Socceroos comfortably on top the Canadians suddenly struck on the half hour by with a goal created out of nothing. Atiba Hutchinson went on a short but mazy dribble before flicking inside to striker Iain Hume who scored with a perfectly struck low drive from 30 yards. The goal changed the flow of the game and for the remainder of the half Canada had the ascendency.

Canada seemed likely to score on two occasions in the dying minutes of the half. Firstly, the always lively Hume hit the bar with a stunning long range shot, then, with virtually the last play of the half, the same player looked likely to score as he found space in the penalty area but defender Michael Thwaite got a toe on the ball as the Canadian shaped to shoot.

Prior to that the Young Socceroos had attempts on goal from the edge of the box through Valeri and Vince Lia but it was the Canadians who clearly finished the stronger.

However just as happened against the Czech Republic, Australia started the second half brightly and with a goal to show for it.

Lia again was involved as the Australians grabbed what proved to be the winner nine minutes after the break. The South Melbourne midfielder provided a superb pass between several defenders for Brosque who ran into the box and laid the ball square for McKay who had come on at half time to shoot past the exposed goalkeeper.

Both teams continued to look dangerous going forward but were rarely able to fashion any real gilt-edged chances to score. When defender Alex Wilkinson snuffed out an attack with a last gasp block in injury time the Australians were finally able to confirm victory in a fast-paced game.

In the other Group C match Brazil and the Czech Republic drew 1-1.

The remaining Group C match for the Australians will be against Brazil on Thursday 4 December 5.45pm UAE time (12.45am Friday AET). All Group C matches are being played in the Rashid Stadium, Dubai.

The top two teams from each group plus the four best third placed teams from the six groups will qualify for the second round.

The 24-team tournament, which commenced last Wednesday, will conclude with the final on 19 December in Abu Dhabi.

Match Details:

Australia 2 (Alex Brosque 12', Matt McKay 54')

Canada 1 (Iain Hume 33')

Australian Line-up: Nathan Coe, Spase Dilevski, Alex Wilkinson, David Tarka, Michael Thwaite, Mile Jedinak (Dustin Wells 74'), Carl Valeri, Vince Lia, Massimo Murdocca (Matthew McKay h/t), Alex Brosque, Scott McDonald (Michael Baird 59')

Subs Not Used: Tom Willis (gk); Wayne Heath, Steve Pantelidis, Anthony Danze, Jonathan Richter, Jobe Wheelhouse

Yellow Cards: Alex Brosque 40', David Tarka 56', Carl Valeri 73'

Referee: Jong Chul Kwon (South Korea)

Official crowd: 8,200

COURTESY FIFA: The events building up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany^TM will get underway in Frankfurt am Main during the first week of December, with the highlight of a packed programme being the Preliminary Draw at Frankfurt Festival Hall on 5 December.

Prior to this great gathering of the football family, meetings of several FIFA standing committees are set to take centre stage (cf. programme attached). On Wednesday, 3 December, the debates of the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup^TM will focus on the final preparations for the Preliminary Draw and the approval of the draw procedure for each of the geographic zones.

Also on the agenda will be the format for the play-off matches between representatives of the four confederations that have been allocated half qualifying places for the finals - AFC (Asia), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America) and OFC (Oceania).

Casting an eye ahead to the final competition itself, the committee will discuss the match schedule as well as ticketing and accommodation matters.

Convening on 4 December, the FIFA Executive Committee will consider a range of issues regarding the 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM, examine a number of points relating to other FIFA competitions and ratify various standing committee decisions. The FIFA General Secretary will provide an update on the bids for the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM. Furthermore, in connection with the new FIFA Statutes, due to come into force on 1 January 2004, organisation regulations for the standing committees and for the FIFA administration will be submitted to the executive for approval.

On Friday, 5 December, the attention of the global football community will fall firmly on Frankfurt, where the Preliminary Draw ceremony will begin at 17.05h CET in a live television broadcast. Six-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is just one of the celebrities who will be on hand to offer their assistance. Two famous names will carry out the draw for each continental zone. The only exception is South America, where the qualifying competition has already begun using a league system on a home-and-away basis. The first draw conducted will be for the Asian zone, followed by Oceania, CONCACAF, Africa and finally Europe.

GENERAL PROGRAMME FOR THE PRELIMINARY DRAW

Mon. 01 Dec 2003

09.00 Accreditation Centre opens - Congress Centre - Level C0

09.00 Media Centre opens - Congress Centre - Hall Harmonie

Tue. 02 Dec 2003

13.00 Press Conference of the LOC Germany 2006 - Congress Centre - Harmonie

14.00 Meeting FIFA Finance Committee - Congress Centre - Maritim III

Wed. 03 Dec 2003

10.00 Meeting Committee for Security Matters and Fair Play - Congress Centre - Maritim III

13.00 Meeting Organising Committee for the 2006 FIFA World CupTM - Congress Centre - Maritim III

16.00 Media Briefing - Congress Centre - Harmonie

Thu. 04 Dec 2003

09.00-16.00 Meeting Executive Committee - Congress Centre - Maritim III

16.30 Post FIFA Executive Committee Press Conference - Congress Centre - Harmonie

Fri. 05 Dec 2003

15.30 Pre-Draw Cocktail Reception - Forum

16.30 Opening of the Festival Hall (Festhalle) - Festival Hall

17.05-18.45 Preliminary Draw - Festival Hall

18.45-21.00 Mixed zone - Forum

19.15 Press Conference of the LOC Germany 2006 - Congress Centre - Harmonie

Sat. 06 Dec 2003

Departure National Associations

12.00 Media Centre closes

OFC Auckland: Football Association coaching instructor, Alan Gillett, has arrived in Auckland, New Zealand for the OFC Senior License Coaching Course which opens tomorrow, Friday 2 December at the OFC Academy in Ericsson Stadium.

The course, which will run till 12 December, is the first of many other courses that will take place over the next few years as part of the OFC "Indigenous" (Local) Talented Coach Scheme. The Scheme, introduced for the first time this year, was initiated by the OFC to improve the overall level of soccer coaching in the region with focus on those coaches, already identified by their national associations as future coaches of their respective national teams.

Thirteen coaches from around the region have been brought together to form the "class of 2003" which means they will be kept together throughout the scheme and monitored on their performance after each course. All coaches attending the workshop will be followed through as part of the long-term assistance the FA will provide. The first course will see the participants sit a Football Association Level 2 coaching certificate.

The two best performed coaches from this course will be sent to England to sit the UEFA B coaching license exam in 2004.

According to Samoa assistant national coach, Malo Vaga, he sees the Scheme as a stepping stone in his career and is thankful for the opportunity provided by the OFC with assistance from the FA.

"To learn under such an experienced coaching instructor is a privilege and will no doubt be challenging. But I look forward to the course and hope to do well throughout the Scheme," he said.

Mr Gillett said today that he looked forward to working with the Oceania coaches and hopes they will be prepared to put in the hard work.

"I hope to keep them on fire throughout the course but ultimately, how well they do will be up to them," he explained.

"It doesn't matter what background they have as all coaches need a good foundation and this course would provide this."

The well travelled Englishman brings to Oceania over 30 years of coaching under his belt, at various levels. His most recent assignment for the FA was national coach for Malawi in Africa. He had also coached in Japan and for various clubs in England including Wimbledon, Watford and Plymouth Argyle. His first major appointment was national coach of Yemen in 1977.

Mr Gillett was born in Kenya but was mostly educated in London where he was a promising youth player for Crystal Palace before turning full-time to coaching. He is regarded as one of the senior coaching instructors for the FA holding a UEFA A License and Diploma, and is regularly involved in the FA's talent identification squads from the under 15 to under 21 levels.

The OFC honorary president and Oceania Ambassador, Mr Charles Dempsey CBE, will officially open the course tomorrow.

ASA RELEASE: Australia has commenced their 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

A disappointing first half display saw the Australians behind at the interval following a 24th minute goal for the Czechs. However the Young Socceroos came out in the second half playing with renewed vigour and equalised just four minutes after the break through captain Scott McDonald who scored from close range following an Alex Brosque corner.

The Czechs dominated the early exchanges in the game with the Australians perhaps experiencing opening game nerves. Australian goalkeeper being Nathan Coe called into action on a number of occasions in the opening half-hour.

The Young Socceroos best moment of the first half came in the 21st minute, when a Dustin Wells free kick from the left was only partially cleared as far as Brosque, whose seemingly goal bound volley hit a defender in a packed penalty area.

Three minutes later, Anthony Danze was cautioned for holding and from the ensuing free kick, taken near the halfway line, the Czech's opened the scoring. The deep kick to the far side of the penalty area was headed back towards the penalty spot where David Limbersky hit a clinical volley that gave Coe no chance.

On the half hour, the Czech's were unlucky not to go two up, when a break down the left resulted in the ball being feed into the middle for Ladislav Volesak, whose shot on the turn from the edge of the area took a slight deflection, hitting Coe's right hand post and bouncing out for a corner. From the corner, Coe made a spectacular one-handed save to deny a headed attempt at goal by the Czech's.

After a disappointing first half, the Young Socceroos commenced the second half with the knowledge that they were going to have to improve considerably if they wished to get anything from the game. They did just that with the help of contingent of Australians amongst the crowd, many of whom had taken up the offer to obtain tickets available from the Australian Consulate.

Three minutes after the break Brosque hit a crisp volley from the edge of the box, which forced the Czech keeper into a smart save. One minute later however Australia was on level terms through a set-piece that saw Brosque's corner from the left headed to the back post by the towering David Tarka for McDonald to stab home from close range.

Australia was now starting to control significantly more possession, though making little headway in term of shots on target.

A key moment of the game came mid-way through the second stanza when McDonald, put through by a fantastic pass from substitute Matthew McKay, was denied a chance to make it 2-1 as he was adjudged offside in what appeared the harshest of decisions.

The last chance of the game fell to the Czech's, who, missing two Slavia Prague players unavailable for the game due to UEFA Cup commitments, fired over a deep corner where Coe was forced to turn a downward header around the post.

In the other Group C match played overnight Brazil defeated Canada 2-0 to lead the group standings after one match each.

The remaining Group C matches for the Australians will be against Canada on Monday 1 December (5.45pm UAE time) and Brazil on Friday 5 December (5.45pm UAE time). All Group C matches are being played in the Rashid Stadium, Dubai.

The top two teams from each group plus the four best third placed teams from the six groups will qualify for the second round.

The 24-team tournament, which commenced on Wednesday, will conclude with the final on 19 December in Abu Dhabi.

The Australian Soccer Association website has comprehensive details on the Young Socceroos in it's 'quick links' section, including player profiles, historical information, tournament details, etc. - www.australiansoccer.com.au

Media wishing to source media opportunities with players or coach are requested to make contact with the Australian Under 20s media officer via ph 0438 623 094 (global roaming) or peter.smith@australiansoccer.com.au

Match Details

Australia 1 (Scott McDonald 49')

Czech Republic 1 (David Limbersky 24')

Australian Line-up: Nathan Coe (gk); Alex Wilkinson, David Tarka, Carl Valeri, Spase Dilevski, Mile Jedinak, Scott McDonald, Alex Brosque, Anthony Danze (Jonathan Richter 81'), Dustin Wells (Matt McKay 65'), Michael Thwaite

Subs Not Used: Tom Willis (gk); Wayne Heath, Steve Pantelidis, Massimo Murdocca, Vince Lia, Michael Baird

Unavailable: Jobe Wheelhouse (injured)

Yellow Cards: Spase Dilevski (6'), Anthony Danze (23')

Referee: Abdou Diouf (Senegal)

Crowd: 8,200

POSTECOGLOU HOLDS OFF NAMING SIDE TO FACE CANADA

ASA: Young Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou will wait until after tonight's training session (tomorrow morning Australian time) before settling on a starting eleven for tomorrow's crucial game against Canada at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

With 16 teams out of 24 qualifying for the second round - the two top teams from each group plus the four best third-placed teams - victory against the Canadians would all but assure qualification for the round of 16 second.

The players enjoyed a full day break yesterday after their exertions the previous evening against the Czech's.

"We will train tonight and afterwards make some final decisions (on the final line-up tonight)," says Postecoglou. "For most part there won't be too many changes if any."

The Canadians looked solid in holding the Brazilians in the first half of their match on Friday before being outplayed in the second half for a 2-0 loss.

"Looking at the way they played the other night, I really don't think they will play like that against us," said Postecoglou. "They played very defensively against Brazil and really just played to contain the scoreline than anything else. With us they have to come out and play a bit more because obviously they need to win the game."

"There are some good athletes in the Canadian team, they are quick and will play if given the opportunity. They seemed to sit back almost the whole game against Brazil even when they were conceded the goals so I expect them to play a little differently against us. Having said all that it is a game we have to win and we are concentrating on what we need to do."

After a sluggish opening half against the Czech Republic in the first game of the tournament Postecoglou expects the lessons to be learnt.

"I think the players have got the message pretty clearly," he says. "You just cannot afford to be less than 100% in terms of focus and concentration in a world cup game. We really only played for 45 minutes against the Czech Republic and almost paid a big price for that. I think the players are prepared to play for the full 90 minutes this time. It is almost a grand final for us and I expect the boys to come out firing.

The coach should also have the luxury of having the full complement of 20 players to choose from with Jobe Wheelhouse, who wasn't available for the first game, expected to train tonight and Scotty McDonald who went into the first game with a shoulder problem continually improving.

Competition for places also remains healthy with good camaraderie amongst the squad and total commitment at training.

"All the guys are training really well, says Postecoglou. "They are ready to jump in if required and are putting pressure on the guys that played in the first eleven in the first game to perform. I have no concerns that if I had to make a change they would step in and do a good job."