If World Cup 2010 Qualifying Ended Today…
World Cup qualifying is a long and complicated process. A lot of quotas and playoffs are involved in whittling down every nation on earth into the 32 teams that will go to South Africa and shake paws with Zakumi (pictured) in 2010.
We’ll know the lucky 32 are when qualification ends in November 2009. But if qualification ended today, the following teams would qualify for World Cup 2010:
CONMEBOL:
Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina
CONCACAF:
USA, Costa Rica, Honduras
Playoff: Uruguay (5th place CONMEBOL) vs Mexico (4th place CONCACAF)
ASIA:
Australia, Japan, S. Korea, N. Korea
Playoffs: Bahrain (3rd place Asia Group 1) vs Saudi Arabia (3rd place Asia Group 2 team)
Winner of that plays New Zealand (Oceania winner) for World Cup spot.
AFRICA:
South Africa (hosts), Gabon, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire
EUROPE:
Denmark, Greece, N. Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands
Playoffs: France, Bosnia, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland
(Eight best second placed teams, who will be drawn into four two-legged play-offs. Winner of each playoff game goes to the World Cup).
Some pretty big upsets there. Honduras have been to just one World Cup before, going winless in the group stage of the 1982 World Cup. The Mexico vs Uruguay playoff game could go either way, but if Mexico don’t make it then the Mexican football federation have some tough questions to answer.
Australia’s “move” to Asia looks like paying off, and the presence of both Koreas would be a first.
African qualifying is only one game old, but if Gabon makes it then they’ll be the underdog story of the whole tournament. Nigeria and Cameroon will be shocked if they miss out.
Northern Ireland arguably deserve a spot at the World Cup after their close but no cigar heroics in Euro 2008 qualifying, but the big story would be who didn’t make it. Right now France could face a tricky playoff game, while Portugal wouldn’t even make the playoffs. Can you imagine a World Cup 2010 without Cristiano Ronaldo? Could very well happen.
Of course there’s are still plenty of games to go and all to play for. But when all is said and done in November, don’t be too shocked if the 32 teams with golden tickers aren’t the 32 we all expected.
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Comments
By Jose | April 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am 
Hey, there’s one error there. Saudi Arabia wouldn’t automatically play New Zealand; both third placed teams in Asia would have a play off (that is KSA vs. Bahrain) and the winner of that tie would have -another- playoff vs. New Zealand.
Posted from 
United States
By Daryl | April 6th, 2009 at 10:51 am Thanks Jose. Will correct the post.
By Tim | April 6th, 2009 at 11:02 am Holland will be the 1st team to qualify and deservingly so. They are one special team right now. THe only team that is up to their level is Spain (but not quite). Portugal will not make it. Well at least they beat Holland in 06. HAHA little consolation now.
Posted from 
Canada
By Anthony | April 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm Tim, I don’t know how you can say Spain is not at the same level as Holland. Spain is clearly on another level, everyone knows that Holland will perform stunningly in the group stages and then choke in the quarters anyway. Holland will never win any trophy, it’s come crazy taboo stuff.
By Tim | April 6th, 2009 at 1:58 pm The same could be said for Spain 9 months ago. Dont fool yourself. All I hope for is that the best team wins and if that happens there is a good chance Holland will win. However imposion is always a threat. But they will not be beaten on talent.
Posted from Canada
By Jose | April 6th, 2009 at 2:10 pm Just hope they don’t meet Hiddink’s Russia, Tim. Then they’re a house of cards.
Posted from United States
By Ryan | April 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pm Anyone know how the eight best second place teams thing works in UEFA? I think Scotland’s group has one team less so obviously they can’t take as many points.
Posted from United States
By Ian | April 6th, 2009 at 4:13 pm Ryan – the second place teams don’t get to count points against the last-place team in their groups when deciding who makes the playoffs. Just another layer of complication.
And we’re being a little hard on Holland in here. Tim’s comment about Spain is true – before Euro 2008, everyone said the same thing, that they would choke and never win a major tournament. That’s why they play the games, as they say.
By Eddie | April 7th, 2009 at 3:32 pm Anybody know how second place team’s qualify?
I know that first place will automatically qualify for World Cup, but what happens to the teams that are in second place. They will have to compete against each other and the 4 best teams will qualify. However, I heard that the best team that is in second place will also automatically go to the World Cup, without having to compete. Is this true?
By Seth | April 7th, 2009 at 6:41 pm lol I have already applied for tickets, so if Portugal do not make it then I guess Argentina will be getting my support in South Africa next summer.
By Tim | April 8th, 2009 at 7:56 am Holland was to Russia and Portugal is to Group A.
Posted from Canada
By Alex | April 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pm All I have to say is LOLOLOL at a Spain supporter labeling another national team as underachieving… focus on reaching the semifinals in 2010, buddy. A few good months in 2008 doesn’t erase nearly half a century of winning absolutely nothing.
By aries | May 13th, 2009 at 11:58 am i want to watch the italy group matches, i am confused on what ticket do i need to apply for ??? please help ASAP.
Posted from United States
By tkmanhatta | May 18th, 2009 at 3:07 pm To watch the Italy sames you need to select team specific tickets and choose the fixed TST series you want i.e the 3 group games
Posted from 
United Kingdom
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