2006 FIFA World Cup seeding

Template:Use dmy dates To calculate the seeding for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, FIFA used the FIFA World Rankings in combination with performances of national teams in the two previous World Cups.

Points were allocated on the basis of 32 for the best achieving of the 32 qualifiers for 2006 FIFA World Cup in each of the five fields considered, down to one for the lowest ranking.

The seedings table uses these points obtained from the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup averaged in a 1:2 ratio respectively, added to the average number of points derived from the World Rankings at three given dates (at ratio 1:1:1), December 2003, December 2004, and November 2005. This generates a view of how well the teams have performed over the last ten years (since the rankings in 2003 include results from eight years prior to that) with a specific focus on how the teams have performed in the FIFA World Cup on previous occasions. Significant differences between this ranking of the teams and the official FIFA rankings at the time of the draw can be seen for Czech Republic, Germany and South Korea (ρ=0.87).

Seed	Country	1. FIFA World Cup Finals					2. FIFA World Rankings							Total Points
		France 1998 (33.3%)		Korea Japan 2002 (66.7%)		Avg. Points	Dec 2003 (33.3%)		Dec 2004 (33.3%)		Nov 2005 (33.3%)		Avg. Points
		Rk	Pt.	Rk	Pt.		Rk	Pt.	Rk	Pt.	Rk	Pt.
1	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Brazil	flag alias-1692 = Flag of the Princes of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of Brazil (1822-1853).svg	flag alias-1870 = Flag of Brazil (1853-1889).svg	flag alias = Flag of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1889 = Flag of Brazil (1889–1960).svg	flag alias-1960 = Flag of Brazil (1960–1968).svg	flag alias-1968 = Flag of Brazil (1968–1992).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Brazilian Army.svg	link alias-army = Brazilian Army	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Brazilian Air Force Command.svg	link alias-air force = Brazilian Air Force	link alias-naval = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-marines=Flag of the Brazilian Marine Corps.svg	link alias-marines=Brazilian Marine Corps	link alias-military = Brazilian Armed Forces	link alias-navy = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Brazilian Navy.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||2||31||1||32||31.7||1||32||1||32||1||32||32.0||63.7
2	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = England	flag alias = Flag of England.svg	flag alias-naval = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Navy	flag alias-navy = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Navy	link alias-cricket = England cricket team	empty = England Saxons	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }}||9||24||6||27||26.0||8||25||8||25||9||24||24.7||50.7
3	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Spain	flag alias = Flag of Spain.svg	flag alias-1506 = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg	flag alias-1701 = Bandera de España 1701-1748.svg	flag alias-1748 = Bandera de España 1748-1785.svg	flag alias-1760 = Bandera de España 1760-1785.svg	flag alias-1785 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg	flag alias-1874 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1931 = Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg	flag alias-civil-1931 = Flag of the Second Spanish Republic (plain).svg	flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Bando Nacional (1936–1938).svg	flag alias-1938 = Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg	flag alias-1945 = Flag of Spain (1945–1977).svg	flag alias-1977 = Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag of Spain (civil).svg	flag alias-civil-1785 = BandMercante1785.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-navy = Spanish Navy	flag alias-marines = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-marines = Spanish Marine Infantry	flag alias-army = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-army = Spanish Army	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Spain.svg	link alias-naval = Spanish Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-air force = Spanish Air and Space Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||17||9||5||28||21.7||3||30||5||28||6||27||28.3||50.0
4	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Germany	flag alias = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-1866 = Flag of the German Empire.svg	link alias-1866 = German Empire	flag alias-empire = Flag of the German Empire.svg	link alias-empire = German Empire	flag alias-1919 = Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg	link alias-1919 = Weimar Republic	flag alias-Weimar = Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg	link alias-Weimar = Weimar Republic	flag alias-1933 = Flag of Germany (1933-1935).svg	flag alias-1935 = Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg	link alias-1935 = Nazi Germany	flag alias-Nazi = Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg	link alias-Nazi = Nazi Germany	flag alias-1946 = Merchant flag of Germany (1946–1949).svg	border-1946 =	flag alias-1949 = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-EUA = German Olympic flag (1959-1968).svg	flag alias-gold = Flag of West Germany; Flag of Germany (1990–1996).svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Germany (state).svg	link alias-military = Bundeswehr	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Germany.svg	border-naval =	link alias-naval = German Navy	flag alias-coast guard=German Federal Coast Guard racing stripe.svg	border-coast guard=	link alias-coast guard=German Federal Coast Guard	flag alias-army = Colour of Germany.svg	flag alias-air force =Flag of Germany (state).svg	link alias-air force = German Air Force	link alias-army = German Army	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Germany.svg	link alias-navy = German Navy	border-navy =	border-army=	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||7||26||2||31||29.3||12||22||19||19||16||19||20.0||49.3
5	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Mexico	flag alias = Flag of Mexico.svg	flag alias-1821a = Flag of the Three Guarantees.svg	flag alias-1821 = Bandera del Primer Imperio Mexicano.svg	flag alias-1823 = Flag of Mexico (1823-1864, 1867-1893).svg	flag alias-1864 = Imperial Standard of Mexico (1864-1867).svg	flag alias-1867 = Flag of Mexico (1823-1864, 1867-1893).svg	flag alias-1893 = Flag of Mexico (1893-1916).svg	flag alias-1916 = Flag of Mexico (1916–1934).svg	flag alias-1934 = Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Mexican Air Force.svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Mexican Army.svg	link alias-army = Mexican Army	link alias-air force = Mexican Air Force	link alias-naval = Mexican Navy	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue.png	link alias-coast guard = Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue	flag alias-navy = Naval jack of Mexico.svg	link alias-navy = Mexican Navy	flag alias-marines = Estandarte Infantería de Marina de México.svg	link alias-marines = Mexican Naval Infantry Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||13||20||11||22||21.3||7||26||7||26||7||26||26.0||47.3
6	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = France	flag alias = Flag of France.svg	flag alias-1790 = Flag of France (1790–1794).svg	flag alias-1794 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg	flag alias-1814 = Flag of the Kingdom of France (1814-1830).svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg	flag alias-1848 = Drapeau france 1848.svg	flag alias-1848a = Drapeau france 1848.svg	flag alias-1848b = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg	flag alias-1974 = Flag of France (lighter variant).svg	flag alias-naval = Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg	flag alias-naval-1790 = Flag of French-Navy-Revolution.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of France.svg	link alias-air force = French Air and Space Force	flag alias-coast guard = French Maritime Gendarmerie racing stripe.svg	border-coast guard =	link alias-coast guard = French Maritime Gendarmerie	flag alias-army = Flag of France.svg	link alias-army = French Army	link alias-naval = French Navy	flag alias-navy = Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg	link alias-navy = French Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1974 }}||1||32||28||8||16.0||2||31||2||31||5||28||30.0||46.0
7	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Italy	flag alias = Flag of Italy.svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of Italy (1861–1946).svg	flag alias-1943 = War flag of the Italian Social Republic.svg	flag alias-2003 = Flag of Italy (2003–2006).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Italy.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Italy.svg	flag alias-navy-1947 = Naval Ensign of Italy (1947-2013).svg	link alias-naval = Italian Navy	link alias-air force = Italian Air Force	link alias-army = Italian Army	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Italy.svg	link alias-navy = Italian Navy	link alias-roller hockey = Italy {{{mw}}} national roller hockey team	size =	name =	variant = 2003	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }}||5||28||15||18||21.3||10||24||10||23||12||22||23.0||44.3
8	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Argentina	flag alias = Flag of Argentina.svg	flag alias-alt = Flag of Argentina (civil).svg	flag alias-1812 = Flag of Belgrano (1812).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of Argentina (civil).svg	flag alias-1818 = Flag of Argentina.svg	flag alias-1819 = Flag of Argentina (1818).svg	flag alias-1820 = Flag of Argentina.svg	flag alias-1829 = Flag of Liga Federal.svg	flag alias-1835 = Flag of Argentina (1840).svg	flag alias-1850 = Flag of the Argentine Confederation.svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of Argentina (1818–1819, 1820–1829, 1861–2010).svg	link alias-naval = Argentine Navy	link alias-coast guard = Argentine Naval Prefecture	flag alias-marines = Naval Jack of Argentina.svg	link alias-marines = Argentine Naval Infantry Command	link alias-air force = Argentine Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of Argentina (3-2).svg	link alias-army = Argentine Army	flag alias-navy = Flag of Argentina.svg	link alias-navy = Argentine Navy	empty = Argentina XV national rugby union team	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||6||27||18||9||15.0||5||28||3||30||4||29||29.0||44.0
9	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = United States	flag alias = Flag of the United States.svg	flag alias-1776 = Flag of the United States (1776–1777).svg	flag alias-1777 = Flag of the United States (1777–1795).svg	flag alias-1777-Ross = Betsy Ross flag.svg	flag alias-1795 = Flag of the United States (1795-1818).svg	flag alias-1795FM = Flag of the United States (1795–1818).svg	flag alias-1818 = Flag of the United States (1818-1819).svg	flag alias-1819 = Flag of the United States (1819-1820).svg	flag alias-1820 = Flag of the United States (1820-1822).svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of the United States (1822–1836).svg	flag alias-1836 = Flag of the United States (1836-1837).svg	flag alias-1837 = Flag of the United States (1837-1845).svg	flag alias-1845 = Flag of the United States (1845-1846).svg	flag alias-1846 = Flag of the United States (1846-1847).svg	flag alias-1847 = Flag of the United States (1847-1848).svg	flag alias-1848 = Flag of the United States (1848-1851).svg	flag alias-1851 = Flag of the United States (1851-1858).svg	flag alias-1858 = Flag of the United States (1858-1859).svg	flag alias-1859 = Flag of the United States (1859-1861).svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of the United States (1861-1863).svg	flag alias-1863 = Flag of the United States (1863-1865).svg	flag alias-1865 = Flag of the United States (1865-1867).svg	flag alias-1867 = Flag of the United States (1867-1877).svg	flag alias-1877 = Flag of the United States (1877-1890).svg	flag alias-1890 = Flag of the United States (1890-1891).svg	flag alias-1891 = Flag of the United States (1891-1896).svg	flag alias-1896 = Flag of the United States (1896-1908).svg	flag alias-1908 = Flag of the United States (1908-1912).svg	flag alias-1912 = Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg	flag alias-1959 = Flag of the United States (1959–1960).svg	flag alias-1960 = Flag of the United States (Web Colors).svg	flag alias-pantone = Flag of the United States (Pantone).svg	flag alias-yacht = United States yacht flag.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the United States Air Force.svg	flag alias-coast guard-1799 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1799).png	flag alias-coast guard-1815 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1815).png	flag alias-coast guard-1836 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1836).png	flag alias-coast guard-1841 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1841).png	flag alias-coast guard-1867 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1867).png	flag alias-coast guard-1868 = Ensign of the United States Revenue-Marine (1868).png	flag alias-coast guard-1915 = Ensign of the United States Coast Guard (1915-1953).png	flag alias-coast guard-1953 = Ensign of the United States Coast Guard.svg	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the United States Coast Guard.svg	link alias-coast guard = United States Coast Guard	flag alias-army = Flag of the United States Army.svg	link alias-naval = United States Navy	flag alias-navy-1864 = Flag of the United States Navy (1864-1959).svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of the United States Navy (official).svg	link alias-navy = United States Navy	link alias-marines = United States Marine Corps	flag alias-marines-1914 = Flag of the United States Marine Corps (1914-1939).png	flag alias-marines = Flag of the United States Marine Corps.svg	link alias-merchant marine = United States Merchant Marine	flag alias-merchant marine = Flag of the United States Merchant Marine Higher Resolution.jpg	flag alias-space force = Flag of the United States Space Force.svg	link alias-military = United States Armed Forces	link alias-football = United States men's national soccer team	link alias-Australian rules football = United States men's national Australian rules football team	flag alias-23px = Flag of the United States (23px).png	empty = USA Selects	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||32||8||8||25||19.3||11||23||11||22||8||25||23.3||42.7
10	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Netherlands	flag alias = Flag of the Netherlands.svg	flag alias-prinsengeus = Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg	flag alias-army =Flag of the Royal Netherlands Army.svg	flag alias-air force=Flag of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.svg	link alias-air force= Royal Netherlands Air Force	link alias-army= Royal Netherlands Army	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Netherlands.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Netherlands Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg	link alias-navy=Royal Netherlands Navy	flag alias-marines = Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg	link alias-marines = Netherlands Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||4||29||-||0||9.7||4||29||6||27||3||30||28.7||38.3
11	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = South Korea	flag alias = Flag of South Korea.svg	flag alias-1945 = Flag of South Korea (1945–1948).svg	flag alias-1948 = Flag of South Korea (1948–1949).svg	flag alias-1949 = Flag of South Korea (1949–1984).svg	flag alias-1984 = Flag of South Korea (1984–1997).svg	flag alias-1997 = Flag of South Korea (1997–2011).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Republic of Korea Army.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Republic of Korea Air Force.svg	link alias-army = Republic of Korea Army	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg	link alias-naval = Republic of Korea Navy	link alias-air force = Republic of Korea Air Force	flag alias-marines = Flag of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.svg	link alias-marines = Republic of Korea Marine Corps	link alias-navy = Republic of Korea Navy	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg	flag alias-military = Flag of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.svg	link alias-military = Republic of Korea Armed Forces	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the Korean Coast Guard.svg	link alias-coast guard = Korea Coast Guard	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = 1997 }}||30||8||4||29||22.0||22||16||22||17||29||13||15.3||37.3
12	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Japan	flag alias = Flag of Japan.svg	flag alias-1870 = Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg	link alias-1870 = Empire of Japan	flag alias-1945 = Flag of Allied Occupied Japan.svg	border-1945 =	flag alias-1947 = Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg	flag alias-ryukyu = Civil ensign of the Ryukyu Islands (1952–1967).svg	border-ryukyu =	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Japan.svg	flag alias-coast guard = Ensign of the Japanese Coast Guard.svg	link alias-coast guard = Japan Coast Guard	link alias-naval = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force	flag alias-army = Flag of JSDF.svg	link alias-army = Japan Ground Self-Defense Force	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.svg	link alias-air force = Japan Air Self-Defense Force	flag alias-air force-1955 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1955-1957).png	link alias-air force-1955 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force	flag alias-air force-1957 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1957-1972).png	link alias-air force-1957 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force	flag alias-air force-1972 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1972-2001).png	link alias-air force-1972 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force	flag alias-military=Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.svg	link alias-military=Japan Self-Defense Forces	flag alias-marines=Flag of JSDF.svg	link alias-marines=Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Japan.svg	link alias-navy = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force	empty = Junior Japan	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||31||8||9||24||18.7||29||12||17||20||15||20||17.3||36.0
13	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Sweden	flag alias = Flag of Sweden.svg	flag alias-army = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-air force =Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-1818 = Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg	flag alias-1844 = Swedish civil ensign (1844–1905).svg	flag alias-1905 = Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	flag alias-naval-1844 = Naval Ensign of Sweden (1844-1905).svg	flag alias-naval-1815 = Ensign of Sweden and Norway (1815–1844).svg	link alias-army = Swedish Army	link alias-air force = Swedish Air Force	link alias-naval = Swedish Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg	link alias-navy = Swedish Navy	link alias-football = Sweden men's national football team	border-army =	border-air force =	border-naval =	border-navy =	border-naval-1815 =	border-naval-1844 =	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||-||0||13||20||13.3||19||19||13||21||14||21||20.3||33.7
14	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Croatia	flag alias = Flag of Croatia.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Croatia.svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Croatia (1990).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval ensign of Croatia.svg	link alias-naval = Croatian Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Croatian Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Croatian Air Force	link alias-military = Armed Forces of Croatia	flag alias-army = Flag of Croatian Army.svg	link alias-army = Croatian Army	flag alias-navy = Naval ensign of Croatia.svg	link alias-navy = Croatian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||3||30||23||9||16.0||20||18||23||16||20||17||17.0||33.0
15	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Paraguay	flag alias = Flag of Paraguay.svg	flag alias-1812 = Flag of Paraguay (1812-1826).svg	flag alias-1826 = Flag of Paraguay (1826-1842).svg	flag alias-1842 = Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg	flag alias-1954 = Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg	flag alias-1988 = Flag of Paraguay (1988-1990).svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Paraguay (1990–2013).svg	link alias-naval = Paraguayan Navy	link alias-air force = Paraguayan Air Force	link alias-army = Paraguayan Army	link alias-navy = Paraguayan Navy	size =	name =	variant = 1990	altlink = national football team }}||14||19||16||17||17.7||22||17||30||12||30||12||13.7||31.3
16	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Czech Republic	flag alias = Flag of the Czech Republic.svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Bohemia.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Czech Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Czech Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Czech Land Force.svg	link alias-army = Czech Land Forces	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||6||27||4||29||2||31||29.0||29.0
17	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Portugal	flag alias = Flag of Portugal.svg	flag alias-1248 = PortugueseFlag1248.svg	flag alias-1385 = PortugueseFlag1385.svg	flag alias-1495 = Flag Portugal (1495).svg	flag alias-1578 = Flag Portugal (1578).svg	flag alias-1640 = Flag Portugal (1640).svg	flag alias-1707 = Flag Portugal (1707).svg	flag alias-1750 = Flag of Portugal (1750).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag Portugal (1830).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag Portugal sea (1830).svg	flag alias-air force=Portugal Air force fin flash.svg	flag alias-army = Military flag of Portugal.svg	link alias-air force = Portuguese Air Force	link alias-army = Portuguese Army	link alias-naval = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-navy=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-navy = Portuguese Navy	flag alias-marines=Naval Jack of Portugal.svg	link alias-marines=Portuguese Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||21||9||6.0||17||21||9||24||10||23||22.7||28.7
18	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Costa Rica	flag alias = Flag of Costa Rica.svg	flag alias-1839 = Flag of Costa Rica (1839-1848).svg	flag alias-1848 = Flag of Costa Rica (1848-1906).svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg	flag alias-naval = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg	Costa Rican Coast Guard	Costa Rican Coast Guard	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||19||9||6.0||17||20||27||14||21||16||16.7||22.7
19	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Saudi Arabia	flag alias = Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg	flag alias-1744 = Flag of the First Saudi State.svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of the First Saudi State.svg	flag alias-1902 = Flag of the Second Saudi State.svg	flag alias-1921 = Flag of Nejd (1921).svg	flag alias-1926 = Flag of Nejd (1926).svg	flag alias-1932 = Flag of Saudi Arabia (1932–1934).svg	flag alias-1934 = Flag of Saudi Arabia (1934–1938).svg	flag alias-1938 = Flag of Saudi Arabia (1938–1973).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Saudi Arabia.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Saudi Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval base flag of the Royal Saudi Navy.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Saudi Navy	flag alias-army = Flag of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.svg	link alias-army = Saudi Arabian Army	flag alias-military = Saudi Armed Forces Flag.svg	link alias-military = Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia	flag alias-air force = Ensign of the Royal Saudi Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Royal Saudi Air Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||28||8||32||8||8.0||26||14||28||13||32||11||12.7||20.7
20	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Poland	flag alias = Flag of Poland.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg	flag alias-1815 = Flag of the Congress of Poland.svg	flag alias-1919 = Flag of Poland (1919-1928).svg	flag alias-1928 = Flag of Poland (1928–1980).svg	flag alias-1955 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1955-1980).svg	flag alias-1980 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1980-1990).svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg	flag alias-naval = PL navy flag IIIRP.svg	border-naval =	flag alias-naval-1919 = Naval Ensign of IIRP v1.svg	border-naval-1919 =	flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of PRL v1.svg	border-naval-1946 =	flag alias-naval-auxiliary = Flaga pomocniczych jednostek pływających Polskiej Marynarki Wojennej.svg	flag alias-naval-auxiliary-1955 = POL Bandera pjp PRL v1.svg	link alias-naval = Polish Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Poland.svg	border-navy =	link alias-navy = Polish Navy	flag alias-marines = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg	border-marines =	link alias-marines = Polish 7th Coastal Defense Brigade	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Polish Air Force.svg	border-air force =	link alias-air force = Polish Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg	border-army =	link alias-army = Polish Land Forces	size =	size flag alias-naval = 25px	size flag alias-naval-1919 = 25px	size flag alias-naval-1946 = 25px	size flag alias-air force = 25px	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||25||8||5.3||25||15||25||15||23||15||15.0||20.3
21	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Iran	flag alias = Flag of Iran.svg	flag alias-official = Flag of Iran (official).svg	flag alias-1502 = Flag of Persia (1502-1524).svg	flag alias-1576 = Safavid Flag.svg	flag alias-1665 = Flag of Persia (1665).svg	flag alias-1736 = Nadir Shah Flag.svg	flag alias-1760 = Zand Dynasty flag.svg	border-1760 =	flag alias-1796 = Qajar Naval Ensign.svg	flag alias-1849 = Amir Kabir Flag.svg	flag alias-1907 = Flag of Persia (1907).svg	flag alias-1910 = Flag of Persia (1910-1925).svg	flag alias-1925 = State Flag of Iran (1925).svg	flag alias-1964 = State Flag of Iran (1964).svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces.svg	link alias-army = Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy.svg	link alias-navy = Islamic Republic of Iran Navy	link alias-naval = Islamic Republic of Iran Navy	flag alias-military = Flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.svg	link alias-military = Islamic Republic of Iran Army	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution.svg	link alias-coast guard = Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant =	related1 = Persia	related2 = Pahlavi Iran	related3 = Qajar Iran }}||20||9||-||0||3.0||28||13||20||18||19||18||16.3||19.3
22	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Tunisia	flag alias = Flag of Tunisia.svg	flag alias-1959 = Flag of Tunisia (1959–1999).svg	flag alias-old = Tunisian flag till 1831.svg	border-old =	flag alias-bey = Flag of Tunis Bey-fr.svg	Tunisian National Navy	link alias-army = Tunisian Army	link alias-air force= Tunisian Air Force	Tunisian National Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||26||8||29||8||8.0||45||8||35||11||28||14||11.0||19.0
23	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Ecuador	flag alias = Flag of Ecuador.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Flag and Ensign of Ecuador.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of Ecuador (1830-1845).gif	flag alias-1845 = Flag of Ecuador (1845-1860).svg	flag alias-1900 = Flag of Ecuador (1900–2009).svg	flag alias-municipal = Municipal Flag_of Ecuador.svg	flag alias-army = Flag of Ecuador Army.svg	link alias-army = Ecuadorian Army	flag alias-naval = Flag of Ecuador.svg	link alias-naval = Ecuadorian Navy	flag alias-marines= Naval Jack of Ecuador.svg	link alias-marines=Ecuadorian Naval Infantry Corps	flag alias-navy = Flag of Ecuador.svg	link alias-navy = Ecuadorian Navy	link alias-air force = Ecuadorian Air Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1900 }}||-||0||24||9||6.0||37||11||39||10||37||9||10.0||16.0
24	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Serbia and Montenegro	flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1992–2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Serbia and Montenegro.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Serbia and Montenegro.svg	link alias-naval = Navy of Serbia and Montenegro	link alias-air force = Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro	flag alias-air force=Fin Marking of FR Yugoslav Air Force.svg	link alias-army = Ground Forces of Serbia and Montenegro	link alias-military = Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro	border-air force=	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Serbia and Montenegro.svg	link alias-navy = Navy of Serbia and Montenegro	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||10||23||-||0||7.7||41||10||46||8||47||6||8.0||15.7
25	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Switzerland	flag alias = Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Switzerland (Pantone).svg	link alias-army = Swiss Army	link alias-air force = Swiss Air Force	size =	size flag alias = 23x16px	sizebig flag alias = 25px	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||44||9||51||7||36||10||8.7||8.7
26	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Ukraine	flag alias = Flag of Ukraine.svg	flag alias-1918 = Flag of Ukrainian People's Republic 1917.svg	flag alias-1991 = Flag of Ukraine (1991–1992).svg	flag alias-1991b = Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (1949–1991).svg	flag alias-army = Ensign of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.svg	flag alias-military = Ensign of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.svg	link alias-military = Armed Forces of Ukraine	flag alias-marines = Flag of the Ukrainian Naval Infantry.svg	link alias-marines = Ukrainian Marine Corps	link alias-army = Ukrainian Ground Forces	flag alias-coast guard = Sea Guard Ensign of Ukraine (dress).svg	link alias-coast guard = Ukrainian Sea Guard	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Ukraine.svg	flag alias-naval-1918 = Naval Ensign of Ukraine 1918 July.svg	link alias-naval = Ukrainian Navy	flag alias-air force = Ensign of the Ukrainian Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Ukrainian Air Force	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Ukraine.svg	link alias-navy = Ukrainian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1992 }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||60||7||57||6||40||8||7.0||7.0
27	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Ivory Coast	flag alias = Flag of Côte d'Ivoire.svg	flag alias-1959 = Flag of Côte d'Ivoire (WFB 2009).gif	flag alias-2004 = Flag of Cote d'Ivoire (2004 World Factbook).gif	size =	variant =	name =	altlink = national football team }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||70||5||40||9||41||7||7.0||7.0
28	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Australia	flag alias = Flag of Australia (converted).svg	flag alias-1901 = Flag of Australia (1901-1903).svg	flag alias-1903 = Flag of Australia (1903-1908).svg	flag alias-union = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg	flag alias-colonial = Australian Colonial Flag.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Australia.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Australia.svg	flag alias-naval-1913 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Australian Navy	link alias-army = Australian Army	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Australia.svg	link alias-air force = Royal Australian Air Force	flag alias-air force-1948 = Air Force Ensign of Australia (1948–1982).svg	flag alias-air force-1922 = Air Force Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg	link alias-football = Australia men's national soccer team	flag alias-marines=UCP 2RAR.svg	link alias-marines=2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Australia.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Australian Navy	flag alias-military = Ensign of the Australian Defence Force.svg	link alias-military = Australian Defence Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||82||3||58||5||49||5||4.3||4.3
29	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Trinidad and Tobago	flag alias = Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg	flag alias-colonial = Flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889–1958).svg	flag alias-1958 = Flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1958–1962).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Trinidad and Tobago.svg	link alias-naval = Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard.svg	Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard	flag alias-army = Flag of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.svg	link alias-army = Trinidad and Tobago Regiment	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Trinidad and Tobago.svg	link alias-navy = Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||70||6||63||4||51||3||4.3||4.3
30	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Ghana	flag alias = Flag of Ghana.svg	flag alias-1964 = Ghana flag 1964.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Ghana.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Ghana.svg	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Ghana.svg	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Ghana.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||78||4||77||2||50||4||3.3||3.3
31	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Angola	flag alias = Flag of Angola.svg	link alias-naval = Angolan Navy	link alias-army = Angolan Army	link alias-navy = Angolan Navy	link alias-military = Angolan Armed Forces	link alias-air force = National Air Force of Angola	size =	name =	altlink = national football team }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||83||2||72||3||62||1||2.0||2.0
32	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Togo	flag alias = Flag of Togo (3-2).svg	flag alias-1957 = Flag of Togo (1957-1958).svg	flag alias-1958 = Flag of Togo (1958-1960).svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||-||0||-||0||0.0||94||1||89||1||56||2||1.3||1.3
Seed	Country	Rk	Pt.	Rk	Pt.	Avg. Points	Rk	Pt.	Rk	Pt.	Rk	Pt.	Avg. Points	Total Points
		France 1998 (33.3%)		Korea Japan 2002 (66.7%)			Dec 2003 (33.3%)		Dec 2004 (33.3%)		Nov 2005 (33.3%)
		1. FIFA World Cup Finals					2. FIFA World Rankings

System change

Unlike the 2002 FIFA World Cup seeding system which used performances of national teams in the three previous World Cups, this seeding system only used the last two. Had Denmark not failed to qualify, they would have been seeded at the expense of Argentina.

Progress of seeded teams

All 8 seeded teams qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, but France and Mexico failed to win their groups, and so had to play other seeded teams in the second round. Mexico lost to Argentina, and France beat Spain, so while Spain and Mexico were eliminated earlier than the seedings would have predicted, Ukraine and Portugal went further than the seedings predicted, Portugal going on to reach the semi-finals.

Criticisms

• The formula was disregarded in deciding which European team should go in the special pot for the draw (necessary to avoid three UEFA teams in one group). Serbia and Montenegro were picked purely because they were the lowest in the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the draw, despite the World Cup seeding formula placing Ukraine and Switzerland lower.
• Some controversy arose when the Netherlands were left unseeded, leading some to believe that the ranking system overly penalises teams that miss out on qualification for previous World Cups.
• Each monthly FIFA World Ranking at that time included eight years' worth of matches, so by combining the three rankings (December 2003, December 2004, and November 2005), the seeding was most heavily impacted by matches occurring in 2003.