From ticketing hiccups, to the threat of hooliganism, and marketing rights to stadium safety, world soccer's governing body, FIFA, and German World Cup Organizing Committee officials have faced criticism from a number of corners in the lead up the 2006 World Cup and always maintained that detractors would be proved wrong as soon as the tournament kicks off in Munich on June 9.

DW-WORLD.DE examines the World Cup organizers' search for balance when fans, sponsors, security officials, politicians and players all work to promote their own agendas.