The World Cup Qualifiers: A Global Perspective

Although still in relative infancy in Europe, the Brazil 2014 qualification campaign for many other continents began in earnest as far back as June 2011. With under 500 days to go until the finals, we look at the countries outside of Europe most likely to make it to the upcoming World Cup.

AFRICA

After an initial qualification round, we are now 2 games into the 6 match group stage of the African World Cup Qualifiers. The winners of the 10 4-team groups will compete over 2 legged affairs in the final round.

World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa have made a slow start, drawing both games in their group headed by Ethiopia who recently competed in the African Nations Cup for the first time in 31 years.

Heavyweights Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt and Senegal have all set the early pace whereas Sudan and Libya have taken surprise leads in their groups containing more established outfits Ghana and Zambia and Cameroon and Togo respectively.

Shock African Nations Cup finalists Burkino Faso bring up the rear in Group E.

ASIA

Already in the fourth round of qualification, first placed Uzbekistan could upset the odds to qualify for their first ever World Cup. Should they make it, they are most likely to be joined by regulars South Korea, Japan and Australia. As it stands neighbours Iran and Iraq would have to battle it over two legs for the right to playoff against the 5th placed team from the South American Confederation.

China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia were eliminated in the third round of qualification.

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

After one game in the final round of qualification, Honduras lead a 6 team group containing Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Mexico and USA from which the top 3 teams will automatically qualify for the World Cup Finals. The 4th best place team will face the Oceania Confederation's top team in an intercontinental playoff. Recent world cup entrants Trinidad and Tobago exited at the previous qualification round.

OCEANIA

New Zealand once more look certainties to contest another intercontinental playoff in order to book their second successive spot at the World Cup Finals. The Kiwis have taken maximum points and conceded only 1 goal from their 4 games in the 4 team qualification group.

SOUTH AMERICA

If impressive Ecuador and Colombia can both maintain their form, they will join Argentina as South America's qualifiers for the World Cup. Unfancied Venezuela, Chile and an uncharacteristic Uruguay side look set to compete for the final automatic qualification spot. Barring a miracle, South Africa 2010's Quarter Finalists Paraguay will miss out on next year's finals as they currently sit bottom having taken only 7 points from their opening 9 games. Brazil qualified automatically as hosts.

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