Host Continent May Surprise at 2010 World Cup
South Africa Will Be First African Nation to Soccer's Biggest Event
The FIFA World Cup will be held on African soil for the first time since the Cup's inception in 1930. The host South Africa received the honour of hosting the tournament and gets an automatic berth in the event. South Africa first qualified for the World Cup in 1998 France, after being readmitted to FIFA post-apartheid in 1991. They qualified again in 2002 Korea/Japan but missed out in 2006 Germany.
Expectations are always high of the host nation, and though South Africa have an unrealistic shot at World Cup glory, their continent counterparts may provide some surprises.
African Nations Bring Exciting Play to World Cup
Egypt was the first African nation to participate in a World Cup (Italy 1934). Africa had no further representation until Morocco in the 1970 Mexico World Cup. Since then Africa has been well represented and some teams have had memorable moments. Perhaps the best moments were from Roger Milla's Cameroon in the 1990 Italy World Cup. Cameroon made it all the way to the quarter-finals before losing to England.
The 2010 World Cup will have a significant African contingent in addition to the host. Cameroon, led by Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o, will make an African record sixth appearance, along with Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Algeria, who beat Egypt in a play-off. Nigeria and Cameroon have a reputation for free flowing, attacking football and are sure to provide at least one highlight reel goal. But a stellar defensive effort will be needed to progress beyond the group stage.
Oceania Group Brings All White Surprise
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is the only FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) confederation not to get an automatic berth in the World Cup finals. Officially Oceania is entitled to .5 entries into the World Cup. The winner of the Oceania group (consisting of New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu) play a play-off against the fifth place finisher in the Asian Football Confederation.
Oceania victors, New Zealand beat Bahrain 1-0 to win the playoff series and get to the World Cup for the first time since 1982. It was reported on the OFC website that the President of the OFC, Reynald Temarii said, "This success will give confidence to the All Whites while also encouraging other Pacific Island nations that the goal of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is within reach."
Asia Group Qualifying has Former Oceania Team
Asia receives 4.5 places in the World Cup. Australia (formerly of the Oceania zone), Japan, Korea Republic and Korea DPR qualified as 1st and 2nd place finishers in the group stages. Bahrain played Saudi Arabia for the opportunity to play New Zealand for the other .5 berth in 2010. As noted, New Zealand beat Bahrain in the two-legged playoff.
After Bahrain's loss to New Zealand, Bahrain was a country in mourning. Vijay Mruthyunjaya, in the Gulf Daily News, said, "It was supposed to be the dawn of a new era but it turned out to be darkness at noon yesterday for Bahrain."
Changes to Zones Made Qualifying Easier for Socceroos
For the first time Australia and New Zealand will be sharing the stage at the World Cup. Australia's switch to the Asian Qualifying zone made getting to the World Cup that much easier. Previously, winning the Oceania group pitted the team against the fifth place team from the COMNEBOL Qualifying Tournament - the South American Zone - a much tougher assignment than playing in the Asia Qualifying Tournament.
Recent World Cup Tournaments Highlight Growing Parity
Football is the world's most popular sport, played in practically every country, and has about 3.5 billion fans worldwide.
In recent World Cup tournaments African teams and Asian countries have performed well. Korea Republic surprised everyone, finishing fourth in 2002 when they jointly hosted with Japan. Cameroon in 1990 and Nigeria have consistently performed well and may spring some strong results in South Africa.
Status Quo Likely in South Africa 2010
Headlines after New Zealand's successful bid to reach the World Cup said, "All White Victory Reverberates Around the Globe." Their victory certainly represented a growing parity in the world game. But history is not likely to be usurped just yet, and the probable winner of the 2010 World Cup will come from South America or Europe.
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