2006 World Cup Organising Committee president Franz Beckenbauer displays the logo in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Gelsenkirchen (Germany): 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 in Gelsenkirchen.

“The emblem expresses our overall philosophy, which is to invite the world to a joyful celebration at the heart of Europe,” said organising committee vice-president Fedor Radmann.

The slogan, Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden (Friends invite the world), promises the world it will feel at home in Germany.

“The slogan links our openness to the world and football,” said Wolfgang Niersbach, organising committee vice-president in charge of communications. Organising committee president Franz Beckenbauerinsists that it will be a totally new experience following German unification in 1990.