FIFA World Cup 2006 Fact Sheet for U.S. CitizensBy U.S. Department of State - FIFA World Cup 2006 Fact Sheet.
The 2006 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup will take place in twelve cities in Germany, from June 9 to July 9, 2006. For additional information on the FIFA World Cup, including information on hotel accommodations, tickets, transportation, and advice for spectators, please see the official World Cup 2006 website at http://www.fifaworldcup.com/ or the U.S. Soccer Federation’s website at http://www.ussoccer.com/. American citizens planning to travel to Germany to see or participate in the Games should visit the U.S. Mission to Germany’s World Cup website at http://worldcup2006.usembassy.de/.
Security Assessment:
While there have been no specific, credible terrorist threats to the FIFA 2006 World Cup, in this post-September 11 world, the threat from international terrorist groups at major public events is always a principal concern. This includes the periods immediately before and after these events. Al-Qaida’s demonstrated capability to carry out sophisticated attacks against sizable structures – such as ships, large office buildings, embassies, and hotels – makes it one of the greatest potential threats to the World Cup. Threats could also emanate from extremists who may not be directly controlled by al-Qaida, as occurred in the Madrid train bombings on March 11, 2004, and the subway and bus bombings in London on July 7 and 21, 2005.
Domestic extremist groups, supporting various political causes, may attempt to disrupt the World Cup through demonstrations or other activities. A variety of demonstrations and physical violence have been attributed to right-wing and left-wing extremist groups and individuals in the past. While the German security services are highly skilled at protecting large events and controlling demonstrations, even peaceful events can turn violent, and Americans are therefore advised to avoid any areas of public protest. The risk of violence and hooliganism associated with soccer matches is also present. German security services have been working with a variety of other countries and international agencies to prevent travel of known soccer hooligans; however, large, potentially emotionally-charged sporting events can be unpredictable and carry the risk of unexpected violent incidents. Americans are advised to remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid aggressive individuals or altercations.
One way to make your foreign travel safer and more enjoyable is to inform yourself of what you will find when you arrive overseas. The Department of State publishes a Consular Information Sheet for Germany that includes information on usual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, usual currency and entry regulations, as well as crime and security – including risk of terrorism and drug penalties. Consular Information Sheets include information designed to help you make your own decisions about travel.
For additional information on safety/security in Germany, please see the following:
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
U.S. Embassy Berlin’s Warden Messages
Department of State's "A Safe Trip Abroad"
Department of State’s "Top 10 Tips for Travelers"
Before You Go:
You will need a valid U.S. passport to travel. German border officials routinely require Americans entering the country to have six months of validity remaining on their passports. Schengen rules, which govern European Union countries, require that a passport be valid for a minimum of three months after the date of departure from a Schengen country. For information on how to get or replace a U.S. passport, please see the Department of State's webpage on Passport Services and Information.
Generally speaking, a U.S. citizen traveling on a U.S. passport does not need a German visa for tourist or business stays of up to three months. Germany is considered a "Schengen country,” which allows travelers to cross into other Schengen countries without passing through border/immigration controls. American citizens traveling as tourists may usually remain in Germany and any other signatory to the Schengen Agreement for a total of 90 days within a six-month period. For more information about visas for Germany, please see the Embassy of Germany's website.
The Department of State urges you to register with the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, preferably before you travel, via our Internet-Based Registration System. This will help us locate you in the event there is a general emergency or if someone in the United States needs to reach you about an urgent matter. Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your overseas country of residence or upcoming trip abroad. You should leave a copy of your itinerary, a copy of your passport data pages, and your contact information with family or friends.
Germany, like all Schengen countries, requires all visitors to have insurance in case of medical or other emergencies. The Department of State urges Americans traveling overseas to ensure they have adequate medical insurance, including insurance for medical evacuations. Medicare recipients should know that Medicare does not cover medical expenses abroad. For more information, see the State Department’s flyer Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.
German customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Germany of items such as professional equipment, commercial samples, advertising materials and/or goods for exhibition and fair purposes. Tax-free shopping rules are strictly enforced. Please contact the Embassy of Germany in Washington, DC, or one of Germany's consulates in the United States for more information regarding customs requirements, including information on carrying prescription drugs into Germany.
In order to prevent ticket scalping, tickets for the 2006 World Cup are strictly controlled and are issued with the name of the ticket holder. Ticket-holders must present ID with the ticket when entering the stadium. If the name on the ID and the ticket do not match, the individual may be denied entry to the event. Soccer fans are advised to avoid buying tickets from third parties or bidding on tickets posted for auction on sites such as eBay. More information about tickets can be found on FIFA’s World Cup website, including information about transferring or returning tickets.
While You're There:
Mobile and stationary information points called “Fanbotschafts” or “Fan Embassies” will be available in each World Cup host city. These “Fanbotschafts” are intended to assist travelers with inquiries such as where to find accommodation or what to do in case of theft, injury, illness or other difficulties requiring assistance. A detailed guide for soccer fans and World Cup travelers can be found at the German Football Federation’s (DFB) fan website at http://www.fanguide2006.org/.
In addition to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, there are five U.S. consulates throughout Germany (see contact information at the end of this document). U.S. consuls stand ready to assist Americans in a variety of emergency situations overseas, including lost and stolen passports, illness, temporary destitution, crime, or arrest. If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U.S. consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family or friends. If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States. However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler. Your medical insurance company can advise you on whether your policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. For information on German dentists and doctors, please see the List of Doctors and Dentists in Germany who have expressed interest in serving American citizen clients.
If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement at one of the U.S. Consulates General in Germany before continuing your travel abroad or returning to the United States. For more information, please see the State Department’s Frequently Asked Questions or the U.S. Mission in Germany's instructions. Note that the Consulate General in Frankfurt will offer expanded hours during the World Cup in June and July 2006.
American citizens who need financial assistance should explore commercial options such as Western Union or other money wire services, credit card advances, or automatic teller machines (ATMs). In emergencies, the U.S. Embassy can help you contact family and friends to have them send money. For more information, please see the Department of State's webpage on Providing Financial Assistance to Americans Abroad and its link to the Department's Overseas Citizens Services Trusts.
Please note that consular officers in our Embassy in Berlin or in any of the five Consulates General in Germany cannot act as travel agents, banks, lawyers, investigators, post offices, or law enforcement officers. They cannot find you employment, get you residence or driving permits, act as interpreters, search for missing luggage, or settle disputes with hotel managers. They can, however, tell you how to get help on these and other matters.
Americans traveling or living in Germany are subject to the German legal system and can be arrested for violating local law. The Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Berlin cannot have an American released from prison. However, U.S. consular officers can provide other types of assistance. For more information, please see the Department's flyer on Assistance to Americans Arrested Abroad. If you seek an attorney in Germany, please see the Mission's list of lawyers who have expressed interest in representing American clients.
Despite the best preparation, crises like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or mass-transportation accidents can occur. For information on what you can do in a crisis and how the U.S. Government can assist you, please see the Department of State’s webpage on Crisis Awareness.
Useful Contact Information:
U.S. Embassy in Berlin
tel. from within Germany: 030-8305-0
tel. from the U.S.: 001-30-8305-0
consular inquiries (recorded information): 030-832-9233
consular section fax: 030-8305-1215
consular section address: Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin
U-Bahn stop: Oskar-Helene-Heim
U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt (covering the venues of Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern and Stuttgart)
tel. from within Germany: 069-7535-0
tel. from the U.S.: 001-69-7535-0
address: Giessener Str. 30
U.S. Consulate General in Hamburg (covering the venues of Hamburg and Hanover)
tel. from within Germany: 040-411 71-351
tel. from the U.S.: 001-40-411-71-351
address: Alsterufer 27/28
U.S. Consulate General in Leipzig
tel. from within Germany: 0341-213-840
tel. from the U.S.: 001-341-213-840
address: Wilhelm-Seyfferth-Straße 4
U.S. Consulate General in Duesseldorf (covering the venues of Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund and Cologne)
tel. from within Germany: 0211-788-8927
tel. from the U.S.: 001-211-788-8927
address: Willi-Becker-Allee 10
U.S. Consulate General in Munich (covering the venues of Munich and Nuremberg)
tel. from within Germany: 089-2888-0
tel. from the U.S.: 001-89-2888-0
address: Königinstraße 5
U.S. Consular Agency in Bremen
tel. from within Germany: 0421-301-5860
tel. from the U.S.: 001-0421-301-5860
address: Birkenstrasse 15
Department of State's Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management
within U.S. and Canada: 1-888-407-4747
from overseas: 001-202-501-4444
Department of State's National Passport Information Center
within the U.S.: 1-877-487-2778
TDD/TTY from within the U.S.: 1-888-874-7793
American citizens overseas should contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information about passports.
Local Authorities
Emergency assistance for English-speaking visitors in Germany:
Police (while in Germany): 110
Ambulance/Fire Department (while in Germany): 112
Useful Links
U.S. Mission to Germany's website
http://www.usembassy.de/
U.S. Mission Germany's World Cup website
http://worldcup2006.usembassy.de/
U.S. Department of State's website about travel and living abroad
http://travel.state.gov/
U.S. Department of State's website for passport information http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html
U.S. Soccer Federation’s website
http://www.ussoccer.com/
Official FIFA World Cup 2006 website
http://www.torino2006.org/index.php?lang=en
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