Eleven teams already qualified for 2010 World Cup

Another round of qualification matches just ended and 274 days before the competition start, eleven teams are 100% qualified to 2010 World Cup. Besides the host, South Africa the other nations are: Ghana, Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, Spain, England, Netherlands, New Zealand, Brazil, and Paraguay.

In the African groups Ghana is the first African nation other than the hosts to qualify for World Cup South Africa 2010. Ghana won all four matches played at this point and goes for the second time in its history to the World Cup finals after their first participation in Germany in 2006. Except Group E where Côte d'Ivoire is 6 points ahead second placed team, Burkina Faso, and has the biggest chances to qualify, in groups A, B and C the fight is tight and the winner is difficult to predict.

From the Asian groups Australia, Japan, Korea Republic and Korea DPR already won their place to the 2010 World Cup. The fifth nation to join them will be decided between Bahrain and New Zealand, winner of Oceania Group. Those two teams will compete in a two-legged Asia-Oceania play-off, with the winner advancing for a place at World Cup South Africa 2010.

In Europe Spain, England, Netherlands managed eight wins in eight matches played and secured their place in the World Cup finals. They all dominated their group but Spain is considered by major bookmakers like Ladbrokes, favorite to win the 2010 World Cup with 5.50 odds, same as five time World Cup champion, Brazil. England is the next on favorites list having a one to seven chance to win the tournament.

In North, Central America and Caribbean Group the fight for the World Cup qualifications continues with USA, Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica having real chances to make it to the final. First three nations will go directly to the tournament while the fourth will face the fifth-placed finisher in South American group for a place at the World Cup finals.

In the South American Group Brazil and Paraguay are the first teams qualified to the 2010 World Cup finals. Paraguay secured its place at the tournament defeating Wednesday the Maradona’s unlucky team. Argentina lost four matches in their last five qualifying games, ending up on the fifth position, the last that can send a team to the World Cup by facing the fourth team in the North, Central America and Caribbean Group.

Argentina is closely followed by Uruguay and Venezuela with just one point less and with two more matches to go the final standings are hard to forecast. Although Argentina is seen as one of the top four favorites to win the tournament (10.00 odds), before teams like Germany (11.00 odds), Italy (11.00 odds) and France (21.00 odds), it could face a huge blow and not qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

All 32 teams that will go to 2010 World Cup South Africa will be known after the October and November qualification round will be over. In just two months we can place our bets for the new World Cup champion.