Beckenbauer heads for Iran, Saudi Arabia and Asia on pre-World Cup tour

Franz Beckenbauer, the head of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, sets off on Sunday on the first leg of a globe-trotting tour which will eventually see him visit all 32 of the countries qualified.

Franz Beckenbauer, the head of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, sets off on Sunday on the first leg of a globe-trotting tour which will eventually see him visit all 32 of the countries qualified.

Beckenbauer starts his odyssey by jetting to Iran before going on to Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan.

"I think it will be a nice gesture to personally invite people to Germany. I can present the stadiums to them, tell them a little about the organisation and listen to their specific requests," he said.

"I think this trip is one of the best ideas we have had."

Beckenbauer arrives in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, before going on to Saudia Arabia for a visit on Monday, then to Seoul on Wednesday and Japan on Thursday.

The former Bayern Munich legend who won World Cups as a player and coach said he was less concerned about jetlag than appearing impolite -- he has had to turn down numerous offers to indulge his passion for golf during the trip.

"If I took up all the invitations, the trip would have lasted a year," he said.

With only two European nations, Ukraine and host nation Germany, already assured of qualification, Beckenbauer will leave Europe to later in his tour which will take a total of 50 days. He expects to complete it by mid-February.

The 2006 World Cup finals kick off in Munich on June 9 with the final in Berlin on July 9.

Ten nations have already booked their ticket for the finals -- Germany, Argentina, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, United States, Brazil and Mexico.