Electronic Arts' soccer series launches on the Xbox 360 with FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup , an exclusive title tied to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The game introduces a new graphics engine, featuring detailed models of star players and coaches, more animations, and improved physics simulation.
The game focuses on the qualification rounds for the World Cup, with 72 international teams from Europe participating. Game modes include friendly matches, custom tournaments, and practice mode. A key feature is the Road to FIFA World Cup mode, which models the qualification process accurately, but only for UEFA teams.
Gameplay controls are similar to previous titles in the series. Players earn Road Points by performing well in various game modes, which can be used to unlock extras.