The road to South Africa 2010 is getting narrower. The last four berths to the 2010 FIFA World Cup from the European Zone are set to be booked by Wednesday, 18 November. Everything remains possible across the board, with none of the teams involved leading by more than a single goal!
Algeria and Egypt face a sudden-death play-off in Sudan on Wednesday to decide the last of Africa’s four places at the World Cup finals. Reportedly, thousands of Algerian and Egyptian fans have arrived into Khartoum for a decisive World Cup qualifier between the two Arab rivals.
Slovenia, Russia would also play their key game for World Cup spot on Wednesday. The comfort of playing at home gives a unique advantage to Solvenia as it takes on Russia for a place in the 2010 gala.
Slovenia, which made its World Cup debut in 2002, scored a late away goal on Saturday on the artificial surface in Moscow, losing 2-1. A 1-0 win at home in Maribor would give Slovenia a spot at the tournament in South Africa.
Uruguay and Costa Rica also face off for the 32nd and last spot in South Africa on Wednesday. The second leg match between the fifth placed South American team and fourth place CONCACAF side will mark the end of a qualifying phase that has lasted over two years.
With a narrow one goal difference between the teams, the tables can turn to any side. Wednesday, 18 November would be a crucial day for the teams vying for a world cup spot as fans await the final results with bated breaths.
The teams who have already qualified for the World Cup are:
South Africa (CAF – as hosts)
Japan (AFC)
Australia (AFC)
South Korea (AFC)
Netherlands (UEFA)
North Korea (AFC)
Brazil (CONMEBOL)
Ghana (CAF)
England (UEFA)
Spain (UEFA)
Paraguay (CONMEBOL)
Cote d’Ivoire (CAF)
Germany (UEFA)
Denmark (UEFA)
Serbia (UEFA)
Italy (UEFA)
Chile (CONMEBOL)
Mexico (CONCACAF)
USA (CONCACAF)
Switzerland (UEFA)
Slovakia (UEFA)
Argentina (CONMEBOL)
Honduras (CONCACAF)
New Zealand (OFC)
Nigeria (CAF)
Cameroon (CAF)