Kaiserslautern, the smallest of the host cities, is home to the Fritz-Walter Stadion.

The stadium will have a capacity of just under 40,000 for its five finals matches, following a 48million euros rebuilding project on the site.

The venue originally opened in 1920 and has been extended and rebuilt on several occasions since then, a fact reflected by the slightly haphazard feel to the design.

Known locally as Betzenberg, the ground was renamed in 1985 to honour the man who captained Germany to victory in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, when they recovered from 2-0 down after eight minutes to beat Hungary 3-2 in the final.

The stadium is usually home to FC Kaiserslautern, who won the Bundesliga title in 1991 and 1998.

The World Cup comes to Kaiserslautern on June 12, when the city will host Australia's first finals game since the tournament was last in Germany in 1974, against Japan.

Five days later Italy and USA will meet at the Fritz-Walter Stadion, with a clash between Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago following on June 20.

The final group stage game in the city will be Saudi Arabia against Spain, with the stadium's last involvement in the tournament a second stage game on June 26.