Germany unveils laughing 2006 W' Cup logo

Germany unveiled the official logo and slogan for the World Cup finals on Tuesday emphasising its wish that the world should have fun in 2006.

Three laughing characters in coloured circles depicting 006 invite the world to a party on the logo that was presented at a ceremony at the Gelsenkirchen stadium, home to German Cup holders Schalke 04.

The three cheerful faces grouped around the World Cup trophy should be referred to as the Celebrating Faces of Football and make clear that Germany will be in celebratory mood, said World Cup organising committee president Franz Beckenbauer.

"We want to welcome fans around the world as friends in 2O06 and celebrate a unique World Cup in Germany," said the former World Cup-winning captain and coach, whose charisma and influence were instrumental in bringing the tournament to the country whose team he once graced.

"We believe that the new emblem perfectly expresses our philosophy of having a buoyant, cheerful and carefree tournament in 2006," he added.

"Everybody knows that we're good at organising but we wanted to convey an other, warmer and friendlier image of Germany."

The slogan, Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden (Friends invite the world), also aims at painting Germany as a welcoming place and promises the world it will feel at home there.

"The slogan links our openness to the world and football," said Wolfgang Niersbach, organising committee vice-president in charge of communications. "The logo is uncommon, funny and emotional."

London-based agency Whitestone and Munich-based firm abold had worked on the emblem since September last year, eventually rejecting a bowl-shaped fish in favour of the laughing figures.

"Our goal was to convey, via a symbol, the incomparable emotions that can only be evoked by football," said abold head Andreas Abold.

The launch took place at the stadium where Germany will play the Netherlands in a friendly international on Wednesday -- a re-match of the 1974 final won 2-1 by West Germany in Munich.

Germany's national team players were present as well as FIFA president Sepp Blatter and German Interior minister Otto Schily.

"We couldn't have chosen a better moment for this," said Niersbach.