With World Cup South Africa 2010 less than a year way now, national teams around the globe will be fighting for their place in this historic tournament. This will be the first World Cup held on African soil. It is a matter of pride for all African countries. It seems like every time this gold trophy roles around, there is at least one African debutant, and now that they are hosting the most prestigious prize in world football, their is even more motivation than ever before. It sure would be shocking for any popular party guests to miss out on the big show. Let's check up on which countries are a shoe in and which are hanging on by the skin of their teeth.
Let's kick off this adventure with a safari of football on the host continent. There are 20 teams left in African World Cup Qualifying. However, it does not appear that all of the dominant African power houses will be attending the party on the South coast. Despite the lack of shine, in Gabon's footballing history, they seem to be determined to be one of the sides the represents the great continent of Africa in its moment of glory. They lead Group A with 6 points. Surprisingly enough, the other group competitors should be ashamed of themselves. All of which are quality sides in African football. The teams in order from 2nd to 4th are a debutant in the last World Cup, Togo, Algeria, and traditional African power house Cameroon. Though the group is still tight, only one of those 4 will be in South Africa next summer. In Group B, Tunisia leads the group 2 points above the green of Nigeria. It will most likely be one or the other. Egypt is 3 points off of continental neighbor Algeria, who lead, in Group C. The Egyptians and Zambia are tied at 4 points a piece The Egyptians put in strong performances in this summer's Confederations Cup against Brazil and Italy. They have a squad that would add more saliva to those whose mouths are watering for next years grand display. Ghana triumph 5 points over closest contender Mali in Group D. Mali, despite producing some fine players such as Fredrick Kanoute, Mahamadou Diarra, Seydou Keita, and Mohamed Sissoko will have to really right the ship if they are going to sale into South African ports ahead of the Black Stars next summer. There are no surprises in Group E as West Africa's Ivory Coast leads their group 3 points clear.
Europe is the big stage for world football but will all of it's big stars be at the party? Well if World Cup Qualifying ended today, "NO!" would be your answer. In Group One Table you would expect the likes of Sweden and Portugal would be leading. However, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic and company may not be in South Africa to the surprise of many. Instead, the group is being lead by Denmark with 16 points, fallowed by Hungary at 13 points. Portugal and Sweden are clawing at an entry to the tournament on 9 points a piece. Sure would be a shock for all of two of the Earth's most primo footballing stars were not in attendance. The greatest players in History have impressed on the world stage. It is a legendary priority. The Group 2 table is lead by Euro 2004 champions, Greece, tied for points with Switzerland on 13. Latvia sits in third, 3 points away at 10. We all remember who was second in the world going into Germany in 2006, the Czech Republic. Well as of right now, the former number 2 is only 4th in their qualifying Group Three Table on 8 points. Two points above them is usual World Cup attender, Poland. However, as the shock continues as Slovakia are top fallowed by Northern Ireland at 15 and 13 points respectively. It would be crisis for the both Poland and the Czech republic to not RSVP, but it looks likely they will not. No real head-turners in Group Four Table as Germany, 16 points, and Russia, 15 points, duke it out for first place. Onto the next group. Euro 2008 semi-finalists, Turkey, have their work cut out for them if they want to catch 2nd place Bosnia-Herzegovina, who have 12 points. Turkey remain at 8 points while favorites, Spain, sit comfortably undefeated on 18 points at first place in Group Five Table. England also remains untouched in with a thundering 21 points, a total 10 clear of closest contenders Croatia and Ukraine who are tied on 11 in Group Six Table. England Boss Fabio Capello is pleased with the success but has urged his team that this is no time to let up. Serbia astonishingly enough lead France by 8 points in Group Seven Table. The second place France is currently edging out Lithuania by a point. We all should expect better from the French. Nobody wants an embarrassing World Cup 2002 repeat performance by them, where they failed to win a game. Can Thierry Henry and friends hold on two second place or will the 2006 World Cup runners-up fail to qualify at all? Sorry France, no miraculous Zizou this time around. The Italians and Irish, the only two real contenders in Group Eight Table, are both looking to clinch first place; Italy has 14 while the Irish bite at their heals from 13. The undefeated Nederlands smashed their group as they went undefeated with 21 points. Scotland and Macedonia will be looking for the 2nd place spot. They are tied a massive gap of 14 points behind the already qualified Oranje at 7 points each.
Let's head over to South America on our qualifying world tour. The CONMEBOL qualifying is made up of one giant group that contains 10 national teams. The top 4 are guaranteed a place in South Africa, while the 5th place finisher has a qualifying match to play against CONCACAF's number 4 to establish their place. Dunga's Samba Boys sit on top of the table with 27 points. Brazil is the only nation in the history of the World Cup to qualify for every tournament, winning it 5 times, the most of any team. You could have predicted they would be in first place. However, I'm not so sure you could predict number 2. No, it isn't Argentina, or even two time World Cup Winner, Uruguay. It is Chile! A good qualify showing from the slender country as they are only one point astray of the leaders. It gets even more interesting. Paraguay is your 3rd place team at the moment at 24 points. Where is Argentina? With the talent on their team, Messi and company, they should be right behind Brazil, if not beating them. Argentina has struggled to get results in qualifying. They sit uncomfortably in 4th. Despite having legend, Diego Maradona as their national team boss, they were thumped by Bolivia 6-1 in April and then beaten by 5th place Ecuador 2-0 in June. They have reason to be scared at 22 points, only 2 points away from Ecuador, and a decisive next match at home against Brazil September 5th. Uruguay, Colombia, and Venezuela are fighting to find at least the 5th place spot on 18, 17, and 17 points respectively. Whereas Bolivia and Peru are all but out.
Due North, is the ever changing CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying group of 6 teams. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams are free to land directly on South Africa, if pass go collect $200. However, as stated above, the 4th place team will play a qualifying against CONMEBOL's 5th place team to determine who also tags along across the Atlantic. Not your typical group leader but Costa Rica sit pretty in 1st, pounding the US in Costa Rica 3-1 very early last month. The lead the US by two points with 12. United States' shakey performances on the road have lead them into trouble at Costa Rica and El Salvador. They are looking for consistency and the kind of performances in the Confederations Cup this summer. Clever Honduras has inched into 3rd with 7 points. It is obvious the team has potential. They are a solid side with Tottenham midfielder Palacios running the show. Do not take them lightly. Has anyone seen Mexico? Oh, there they are down in 4th. The Tricolor has been shocking for the last year in a half. We are used to seeing much better football from them. They've gone through coaching term oil in qualifying losing former England Boss, Sven Goran Eriksson to the Axe earlier this year. They are only a point behind Honduras, and are looking to put the recent past to bed. El Salvador are looking to knick a place in the World Cup Final tournament at 5 points but last tournament's debutant's, Trinidad and Tobago, are all but out sitting in last with 2 points.
In the far East, AFC World Cup qualifying is still in a preliminary group stage. However favorites to go through from that neck of the woods are Australia, Japan, both North and South Korea, who have already qualified, Saudia Arabia, Uzbekistan and Iran. Don't forget about the Oceania! I doubt we will be seeing any countries from them this time around, but this is football and anything can happen. If anyone, it will be Fiji, the Solomon Islands, or New Caledonia.
The teams under fire have only a couple qualifying matches to recover what they have lost. They do not want to be watching the fun at Africa's Southern tip from a television back home. Can you imagine the next World Cup without Ronaldo, Messi, and Ibrahimovic? The scary thing is it could happen. The world is becoming a greater footballing planet, even in it's darkest corners.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
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