Brazil at the 2006 FIFA World Cup World Cup, played Cameroon in the opening match; in 1994, Germany, winner of the 1990 World Cup, played Bolivia; in 1998, Brazil played Scotland and in 2002 France played Senegal). As of the 2006 World Cup, because of the change in the rules, with the last champion no longer having a secured berth in the competition, the opening match has become another privilege of the host nation (in the 2006 World Cup, Germany, as the host nation, played Costa Rica in the opening match). Despite being the returning champion, the Brazilian team debuted, against Croatia, only four days after the
FIFA World Cup Organisers the first time by two presidents of football federations. Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974 as a player and as coach in 1990, was the organiser of the 2006 World Cup, played in Germany. FIFA World Cup Organisers The following were the presidents of the organising committees of the FIFA World Cup, also the presidents of FIFA and the heads of state of the hosting nation included. Besides being the president of FIFA and the French Football Federation, Jules Rimet was also chairman of the organising committee of the 1938 FIFA World Cup. In