Nelson Mandela celebrates South Africa’s winning bid to host in 2010
With only 230 days left until the World Cup finals begin in South Africa, the qualification round is coming to a close as the fate of Nations is being determined.
In order to win an invitation to compete in the finals tournament, countries are separated by geographic location to vie in round-robin format to attempt to gain the highest number of points within their set groups.
South Africa, which is the host country for the Cup games, wins an automatic bid.
“Babes of World Cup” Photo Galleries are always popular.
Other Qualifying groups are as follows:
Africa: 53 nations compete to submit 5 teams other than South Africa.
- Ivory Coast
- Ghana
-Qualifying matches still remain, but Cameroon, Tunisia, and Algeria are looking like winners.
Asia: 43 nations compete to submit up to 5 teams. 4 are guaranteed; 1 will face the Oceanic winner for the 5th possible spot
-Australia
-North Korea
-South Korea
-Japan
-Bahrain will face New Zealand for the fifth spot
Europe: 53 Nations compete to submit 13 teams
-Denmark
-Germany
-Netherlands
-Slovakia
-Switzerland
-England
-Spain
-Italy
-Serbia
-The last 4 spots will be determined by playoff matches Ireland V France, Portugal V Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece-Ukraine, Russia-Slovenia
North America, Central America, and the Caribbean: 35 nations compete to submit up to 4 teams. 3 are guaranteed; 1 will face the South American playoff winner for the 4th possible spot
-United States
-Mexico
-Honduras
-Costa Rica will face Uruguay for the fourth spot
Oceania: 10 nations compete to submit up to 1 team.
-New Zealand will face Bahrain for the spot
South America: 10 nations compete to submit up to 5 teams. 4 are guaranteed; 1 will face the CONCACAF playoffs winner for the 5th possible spot.
-Brazil
-Argentina
-Chile
-Paraguay
-Uruguay will face Costa Rica for the 5th spot.
Play begins June 11th with the Final being held July 11th in Johannesburg.
South Africa has been preparing their grounds for the influx of millions of football fanatics.
Head to FIFA for all the information you need to get hooked in. All national shirts should go on sale around late April/early May for those who want to wear their support.
If Ireland qualify by defeating France, I’m going to have some decisions to make. Ireland, England, and the USA…with England standing the best chance.
And to take home the Cup? I think we’re in for some amazing football and serious competition but Spain are my prediction to steal the cup from defending champions Italy.
Hot slice of man Fabio Cannavaro lifts the cup for Italy in 2006
Who is excited? Get in the mood by remembering some of these great goals from 2006 with a little help from the Arcade Fire:
