Broadhurst said the many ways of reaching mainland Europe meant "a very small number will get through." Frankfurt Police President Achim Thiel said that if hooligans are found in Germany, they will be remanded to a magistrate court, which will decide how long to detain them. Once released, though, they cannot be deported because they are EU citizens.

More than 80 British police officers have also traveled to Germany to help avert any possible riots or other incidents such as those which marred the Euro 2000 tournament co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

"Part of the role of those officers is to say to the German authorities, 'We'll calm them down, you don't need to steam in just yet,"' English police commander Bob Broadhurst said. "We are aware of that overreaction (by German police) and they will say that it is not an overreaction, that this is the way that we do things."

Eight officers have also been stationed in countries such as the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, where British fans may travel before departing for Germany, possibly in an effort to circumvent the high security.

Michael Endler, who oversees deployment for ZIS, said there were no concrete threats to the start of the World Cup in Germany, or in Hesse, the state where Frankfurt lies.

"One can go to all the games without having to worry about their safety," he said.

He also said that no specific country's fans were being targeted by police.

"We are taking into account all fans of all countries and hoping that they will be welcomed cordially," Endler said.

Aside from hooligans, police are monitoring extreme right-wing groups, which could use the games as a platform for demonstrations, as well as students who might protest on the days of games to get attention from the media and fans.