2010 FIFA World in South Africa is fast approaching. And we have just reached the end of the qualifying and playoff games in all parts of the world. Who’s in?

Europe (13)

Who do we miss? The big guns are there except for Russia and Ukraine. France barely made it. Thanks to Henry for the handball! Spain and England are, I think, the best of this group. But France, Germany and Italy, are known to surprise everyone when it comes to the World Cup.

1. England
2. Spain
3. Denmark
4. Germany
5. France
6. Italy
7. Serbia
8. Slovakia
9. Switzerland
10. Greece
11. Slovenia
12. Portugal
13. France

Africa (5)

South Africa, by virtue of being the host nation, gets automatic qualification. All eyes will be on them, not necessarily on their performance on the field, but on how they manage the 2nd most popular sporting event of the world.

I’m a fan of Didier Drogba. I hope his team will get past the quarterfinals.

1. Ivory Coast
2. Ghana
3. Nigeria
4. Cameroon
5. Algeria
6. South Africa

Asia/Oceania (5)

Australia, as expected, topped its group. But I am surprised that no team from the Middle East made it. Who knows if North Korea pulls another upset again, just like what they did in the past.

1. Australia
2. Japan
3. North Korea
4. South Korea
5. New Zealand

South America (5)

Brazil, Brazil! As always, they put up a very strong team. The defending champ will surely make waves again. Argentina, if it can pull its acts together, can make it big. I just hope that Coach Maradona will be sober on game time.

1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Paraguay
4. Chile
5. Uruguay

North and Central America (3)

Everyone was surprised when the US shocked Spain in the Confederations Cup. So if the US once again reached the finals of the 2010 World Cup, we should not raise our eyebrows again. They are a better soccer team now.

1. United States
2. Mexico
3. Honduras

2010 is just around the bend and those who qualified are already raring to show the world which among them is the best in football. The best soccer players in the world are participating too. The world will surely be watching.

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