I hope New Zealand qualifies.

They havent been there for so long and if we were to meet up, it would be a trans tasman battle like no other

If the Kiwi's do Qualify, this means that this is the second time they have Qualified for this prestigious event - which i am trying to get tickets for!

Qualified Teams: 19/32

Europe

Denmark
England
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Serbia
Spain

Asia

Australia (Yes, I know they are not Asian!)
Japan
North Korea
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Chile
Paraguay

Africa

Ghana
Ivory Coast
South Africa

North America

Mexico
United States Of America

Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, Republic of Ireland and Russia will be involved in the European playoffs.

Bahrain drew 0-0 with New Zealand in the first leg of a playoff to reach the World Cup.

In Africa, six teams fight out the final 3 available places.

Cameroon and Gabon will fight out Group A. Cameroon have 10 pts, Gabon have 9 pts. Cameroon face a final match trip to Morocco, while Gabon are away to Togo.

Tunisia and Nigeria fight out Group B. Tunisia have 11 pts, Nigeria have 9 pts. Tunisia's final game is away to Mozambique, while Nigeria are away to Kenya.

Group C sees Algeria sitting on 13 pts, while Egypt have 10 pts. The two sides will meet in Egypt. Algeria only need a point to qualify, while Egypt must win by at least two goals. If Egypt win by two goals, the qualifier will be decided by a playoff. If Egypt win by three or more, they will qualify.

In North America, Costa Rica and Honduras fight it out for the third and final automatic place. Costa Rica are on 15 pts, Honduras on 13 pts. Costa Rica face a tough challenge away to USA, while Honduras are away to El Salvador. The team who ends fourth in the group will play the 5th placed side from South America.

More on next post.

South America sees a great fight. With one automatic place left, and a playoff place, four teams will fight it out. Argentina lead on 25 pts, Uruguay 24 pts, Ecuador 23 pts, Venezuela 21 pts.

Uruguay vs Argentina is likely to decide who takes the final automatic place. Ecuador face a tough challenge away to Chile, and Venezuela have it even tougher away to Brazil.

Europe has a good few fights for the final match.

Group A sees a fight for the playoff spot. Portugal on 16 pts, Sweden 15 pts, Hungary 13 pts. Portugal are the most likely to take it, with a home match against Malta.

Group B sees Switzerland on 20 pts, and Greece on 17 pts. Israel (15 pts) and Latvia (14 pts) can only fight for the playoff. Hopes wont be high though, with Greece playing Luxembourg. The Swiss only need a point against Israel to qualify.

Group C will see Slovakia (19 pts) and Slovenia (17 pts) fight for 1st place. Czech Republic (15 pts) and Northern Ireland (14 pts) can only go for the playoff. Again, hopes wont be high - Slovenia are away to San Marino.

Finally, Group 6 sees Ukraine and Croatia fight for a playoff spot. Ukraine have 18 pts, Croatia on 17 pts. Ukraine have a good chance, playing away to Andorra.

I would put my money on either France or Portugal to win the playoff's!

The playoffs in Europe consist of four matches, with eight teams. Basically a two leg tie, with the four winners going to the World Cup

Yeah, so i have my money also on Bosnia!

you going to south africa nick??

lucky man!

when is the second leg between new zealand and barhain?

14th November.

Most qualifying information can be found here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification

im going to try, but i might wait till 2014!

I'm gonna go to it, depending on the outcome of November 18th!

depends if i can save the money for it and my course!

So this has already happened? Mad... I wonder why there's such a big gap between the games. Maybe cos there's no panic to get them played so quickly because those two confederations' qualifying groups are already settled...

Oh, and the second leg is in New Zealand. Home advantage... although Bahrain did oust Saudi Arabia with a late, late away goal...

New Zealand vs Bahrain is a massive game for both countries. Bahrain have never qualified for the World Cup, while New Zealand have done it once, back in 1982. New Zealand will be likely to qualify a lot more now that Australia have left Oceania. Bahrain will really want this. I think the match will be a cracker.

Not so sure... When Australia were consistently succeeding in the OFC ahead of them, they were having immense bother qualifying in the intercontinental playoffs. I'm not too sure that New Zealand will necessarily have things too easy. Plus, Australia are an improved side anyway over the past few years. Do we have evidence that New Zealand are too?

Australia had to play the 5th placed team from South America however. New Zealand play a team from Asia, and after all they have drawn away to Bahrain.

Very handy updates yoda, really fancy Uruguay to win tonite

Same here. Argentina are just poor at the moment, struggling to beat Peru at home and there is also that unforgettable 6-1 hammering away to Bolivia. They may sneak the playoff spot though, as Ecuador have a tough match, and Venezuela need to beat Brazil away and hope Uruguay lose.