(9 June 2006 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: With the football World Cup kicking off tonight in Germany, football's govening body Fifa has announced that its site FIFAworldcup.com is available in nine languages

All 32 teams and 736 players in football’s showpiece event are highlighted in depth with the very latest news and profiles. The site is also offering an unprecedented experience with many new and interactive features.

Free video highlights: Two minutes of the finest action from each of the 64 matches will be available within minutes after the final whistle. No registration or payment is required, simply click, watch and enjoy!

The Emirates Matchcast includes play-by-play commentaries, the official Fifa Data Feed, users Fanchat, photographs of the action published in real time, trivia, polls and much more.

There will be editorial coverage in nine languages. 50 journalists from 20 countries will be reporting around the clock. There will be previews and reports for each game as well as technical analysis, exclusive interviews, features and stats.

VIPs Love Football: This is a new section where pop stars, actors, politicians and sporting greats reveal their passion for the game exclusively on FIFAworldcup.com. Amongst those included are Mikhail Gorbachev, Joss Stone, Placido Domingo, Ilie Nastase, Ato Boldon, Alpha Blondy and Mark Webber.

Official Fantasy Football: Here visitors can choose a squad of 23 players before 9 June and compete against football fans around the globe. More than 250,000 visitors to the site have already registered their team in the hope of being crowned the world’s greatest virtual manager.

Multi-player Trivia: Know your Fifa World Cup history? Try to answer the 2,000 questions which FIFAworldcup.com has compiled. See how you fare against fellow fans from across the globe!

Destination Germany: Here one can learn about the 12 host cities and organise their stay in Germany thanks to the entertaining and informative interactive content. It includes city guides, practical tips and a crash course in German to make one's stay more enjoyable.

Make your voice heard: This is an interactive section. The site gives users the opportunity to express themselves by voting for the Gillette Best Young Player, commenting on the matches in the Emirates MatchCast, uploading their own pictures and blogging in the 12th Man section.

Predictor: Everyone has an opinion on who will lift the trophy on 9 July. Will Brazil successfully defend their title? Will England end a 40 year long drought? Will Germany triumph at home? Visitors can guess the scores and share your results with friends on FIFAworldcup.com’s Predictor.

Mobile: Thanks to the mobile site, you can take FIFAworldcup.com with you wherever you go. In addition to news, player profiles, statistics and downloads, you can also get free SMS alerts to help you follow your favourite team. Better still, the Fifa MatchCast application allows fans to receive all match information live and direct from the stadiums.