Brazil at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Brazil at the 2006 FIFA World Cup At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Brazil participated for the 18th time in the event. The country remained as the only national team to have participated in every installment of the FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian team played until the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by France, finishing the tournament in the fifth place — for the third time in history (1954 and 1986 were the previous instances). Brazil's qualifying for the event marked the first time in history in which a returning champion (the country had won the 2002 World Cup) had
Croatia at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Croatia at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Croatia participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This was their second appearance after their debut-bronze madel appearance at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Croatia was in Group 6 of UEFA's World Cup qualifications. They played alongside Belgium, Scotland, Latvia and San Marino, finished first in the group and qualified directly for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Croatia national team started the qualification led by manager Miroslav Blažević, but after tying the initial two matches, he was replaced by Mirko Jozić. Standings The results of the Group Stage Altogether 28 players appeared in