| The 2010 World Cup qualifying round is now over; for | | | | example, may play against Cuba while South Korea |
| the first time since 1934 the host nation (South | | | | will meet North Korea in Asian qualifying. |
| Africa) will take part of the qualifying round. | | | | On the other hand, Italy, the World Cup champion |
| However, the South Africans will qualify despite the | | | | seems to be satisfied in a "easy group" in company |
| position they finish at. It is also the first time the | | | | of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro. As yet, |
| tournament will be hosted by a Confederation of | | | | the European team drawn in which is considered the |
| African Football nation. According to FIFA President | | | | toughest group is France, club that will have to play |
| the selection of Africa is "justice to a continent that | | | | against well known teams as: Romania and Serbia. |
| has given so much to football". | | | | However, the nation has been a football force in the |
| The draw of the 19th FIFA WORLD CUP celebrated | | | | last year's as world cup runner up and previously |
| last Sunday in Durban, South Africa attracted over | | | | achieving the 1998 World Cup title. |
| 3,000 football administrators and coaches and it was | | | | Last year champion, Italy was drawn with Bulgaria, |
| watched around the world in 170 countries. There | | | | Ireland Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro; an easy |
| were 169 nations in the draw which works as a | | | | team for the champions, according to their soccer |
| qualifying round for the 2010 African Cup of Nations | | | | chief, Giancarlo Abete, the group is a group Italy |
| to be place in Angola. | | | | should cruise through without problems. |
| The draw was attended by South African president | | | | The entrances to the World Cup will have a different |
| Thabo Mbeki; not all the countries were blessed as | | | | format depending on the continent; for example: |
| the draw did not please countries as England. The | | | | North, Central America and the Caribbean will have |
| team was placed in the same group than their | | | | preliminary rounds to reduce the teams to 24 while in |
| torment, Croatia, club which only a few days before | | | | South America there are 10 teams playing in eighteen |
| humiliated England in a 3 to 2 win eliminating them | | | | rounds. Asia is into 20 teams; the first and second |
| from the Euro 2008. | | | | place of each pot gets through the final rounds. |
| England will have a second chance to bit their hardest | | | | Africa, as well, will be split into 12 groups while Europe |
| opponent in the preliminary stage but the main goal | | | | is divided in nine groups to fill in the 13 places |
| now is to find a new coach who can face this new | | | | available; 9 winners and the rest will be decided |
| challenge. Nevertheless, both teams were paired in a | | | | between the second places in playoff matches. The |
| complicated group; the European Group 6 is also | | | | only Confederation with no automatic place in the |
| conformed by powerful teams as: Ukraine, Belarus, | | | | finals is Oceania; therefore; the winner of the |
| Kazakhstan and Andorra. Other than just sport | | | | qualification rounds will face the fifth placed in the |
| rivalries, during the qualifying matches there will be a | | | | Asia's Confederation. |
| mix of politics rivalries too. The United States for | | | | |