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FIFA plans show to kick off 2006 World Cup
The 2006 World Cup will break with tradition and begin with a separate show a day before the opening game.
Franz Beckenbauer, president of Germany's World Cup organizing committee, played down a reported rift between FIFA and his country over who would host the show, which could generate considerable marketing and TV revenue. The Germans came up with the idea and planned to host the show themselves until FIFA became involved. "Too much was said about all this, too many things were mixed up," Beckenbauer said. "That is now ended." The show will take place June 8 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium before 80,000 spectators and a worldwide TV audience. The opening game and ceremonies are the next day in Munich. "Germany will be a stage for a fascinating kaleidoscope of cultures before, during and after the tournament," Interior Minister Otto Schily said. FIFA will pay the $26.8 million the Germans had earmarked for the project and will get the marketing and TV rights. The show will be designed by Austrian artist Andre Heller, the artistic
director for the 2006 World Cup. He said his organization will need at least
10,000 volunteers to set up the show and be part of the event.
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