If World Cup Qualifying Ended Today, Who Would Be In?

Interesting article over at the World Cup Blog today, asking the question, 'If 2010 World Cup qualifying ended today, who would make the trip to South Africa?'

32 nations will make the cut. Who would be in? Let's take a look ...

CONMEBOL:

Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina

CONCACAF:
USA, Costa Rica, Honduras

Playoff: Uruguay (5th place CONMEBOL) vs Mexico (4th place CONCACAF)

ASIA:
Australia, Japan, S. Korea, N. Korea

Playoffs: Bahrain (3rd place Asia Group 1) vs Saudi Arabia (3rd place Asia Group 2 team)
Winner of that plays New Zealand (Oceania winner) for World Cup spot.

AFRICA:
South Africa (hosts), Gabon, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire

EUROPE:
Denmark, Greece, N. Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands

Playoffs: France, Bosnia, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland

(Eight best second placed teams, who will be drawn into four two-legged playoffs. Winner of each playoff game goes to the World Cup).

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Taking a look at African qualifying specifically, which is but one game old, what about Gabon making the tournament? And Nigeria and Cameroon would miss out?

I'd hate to see that. Let's give this more time ...

Over in Europe, France and Portugal might not make it. Talk about shocking!

There's still plenty of time. But it's an interesting look at the countries currently in good position and the other countries that still have some work to do!