There still another 8 months to go for the biggest soccer event every 4 years: 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Currently there are still got countries fighting for qualification for this big event and some countries that qualified are starting the preparation for the event.
African Qualifying
Group A - Cameroon - current leader and still got 2 games to play
The 2008 Africa runner-up is facing tough competition from Gabon (surprise package), Togo and Morocco. However with the experiences and play they have, Cameroon most likely to qualified.
Group B - Tunisia - current leader and still got 2 games to play
Tunisia most probably will be challenge by Nigeria; both nations also have a strong squad. Tunisia had been qualified for every World Cup since 1998 and Nigeria had missed the 2006 World Cup after they qualified for 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cup. This will be a tough call to determine who will be the group winner.
Group C - Algeria - current leader and still got 3 games to play
Surprisingly that the 2008 Africa Champion: Egypt is at 2nd position and only got 2 games left to play. Based on players, I believe that Egypt got the strongest squad with Mido and Zaki that played for English Premier League.
Group D - Ghana - qualified as group leader
Group E - Ivory Coast - current leader and still got 2 games to play
Basically Ivory Coast will be surely qualified, as they only need 1 point from the last 2 games.
Asian Qualifying
Group A - Australia - qualified as group leader and Japan - qualified as runner-up
Group B - South Korea - qualified as group leader and North Korea - qualified as runner-up
Bahrain from Group A and Saudi Arabia from Group B is facing each other in a playoff to get the chance for qualification as the winner will face New Zealand, champion from Oceania for a place to the World Cup. After the playoff - 2nd leg on 9 September, Bahrain won over Saudi Arabia on away goal rule and will face New Zealand.
Oceania Qualifying
New Zealand qualified for the World Cup and will be representing Oceania region to the World Cup. After Australia has convert to the Asia region, it is surely no countries in the region that can challenge New Zealand. Now it is depend New Zealand, whether they can qualify as Australia did in 2006 and 2010 (Asia region).
European Qualifying
Group A: Denmark – current group leader with 2 games to play
Currently Denmark is 3 points ahead of Sweden and 5 points ahead of Portugal and Hungary which are the closest competitors in the group. The surprise is Portugal struggle to qualify and a high percentage they unable to qualify even have the World Player of Year, Christiano Ronaldo.
Group B: Switzerland – current group leader with 2 games to play
Currently Switzerland is 3 points ahead of the closest rivals: Greece and Latvia. Most likely they will qualify as group leader, the play-off position still up for grab between Greece, Latvia and Israel.
Group C: Slovakia – current group leader with 2 games to play
Slovakia most likely to qualify as group leader as currently is 5 points ahead of Slovenia, for the play-off, it will be between Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Czech Republic and Poland. It is quite disappointing that Czech Republic been struggle in the group.
Group D: Germany – current group leader with 2 games to play
There will be only two countries will be competing for the top of the group and the play-off: Germany and Russia. It will be the determination of who will become group leader when Germany vs. Russia match, the winner of the match will be the group leader. Gus Hiddink really incredible coach, he brought Netherland, South Korea, and Australia to the World Cup, now potentially Russia as well, hopefully he will did it again.
Group E: Spain – Group leader with 2 games to play
Spain already qualified for the World Cup, now only need to determine which countries will go to the play-off. Bosnia and Turkey will compete for the play-off; Bosnia will be the most likely candidate as currently they are 4 points ahead of Turkey where Turkey unable to reduce the points when they played each other that only able to achieved a draw.
Group F: England – Group leader with 2 games to play
England had qualified to the World Cup with a fabulous play against Croatia, the same country that prevents England qualified for the 2008 Euro Cup in 2007. Croatia will fail to qualify if Ukraine win their last 2 games as Croatia play one match more than Ukraine and only two points ahead of Ukraine.
Group G: Serbia – current group leader with 2 games to play
Serbia is leading the group with 4 points ahead of France; they only need to win one more match to qualify. Meanwhile for France, most likely will play for the play-off, they only need to win one more match to confirm.
Group H: Italy – current group leader with 2 games to play
Italy started not well in the group but at the end, they will qualify with just one win to retain their title. Ireland also needs one more win to qualify for the play-off.
Group I: Netherland – Group leader with 2 games to play
Netherland won all the matched played; surely they are a country to look out in the World Cup. Norway and Scotland will compete for the play-off.
CONCACAF Qualifying
Currently United States is top of the table, follow by Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica that most likely to compete for the Top 3 spot for direct qualify to the World Cup. Meanwhile, the Top 4 spot will play country from South America. United States and Mexico are two countries that always qualify for the World Cup; however Honduras (this year surprise package) and Costa Rica will make their qualification difficult.
CONMEBOL Qualifying
Currently Brazil is at the top of the table; follow closely by Paraguay and Chile, which most likely qualify to the World Cup. Meanwhile still got four countries will compete for the last two places (direct qualify and play-off against CONCACAF country): Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia. Argentina is struggling to qualify, eventually the 3-1 lost to Brazil and 1-0 lost to Paraguay seem to make them qualification more difficult. No matter how, Argentina still is a strong team that has a lot of great players: Messi, Veron, Aguero, and many more, without they in the World Cup really a disappointment.
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