Part 1
Article by e-Football Writer Paul Glanfield – 7th August 2013
The World Cup is still the pinnacle of the beautiful game. There is nothing quite as stirring for a football lover as the onset of the tournament, with multiple games to delight the senses almost every night for a month. Memories of past tournaments paint the backdrop for the latest world showdown to begin. Hope and glory define every goal and every coming moment is potentially one of the defining memories of the tournament that will be treasured and discussed for decades to come. Next summer the World Cup heads for Brazil, arguably the country most romanticised on the international stage throughout footballing history. It promises to be a very special affair.
For many however, attendance at the big event is still far from assured. So who are most likely to make the big event and who is going to miss out on qualification?
Below is a summary of worldwide qualification activity to date including the 32 who I think are going to be part of the party when it all kicks off in Sao Paulo next summer:
Brazil – Hosts: The Confederations Cup this summer demonstrated what this Brazil team might achieve next summer. With such a vast array of talent at their disposal there is no doubt the hosts will be fully expecting a final appearance at the very least.
Asia Qualification – 4.5 World Cup Places Available
Following a lengthy preliminary stage the final 8 teams contest two round robin groups where the top 2 teams from each group qualify for the World Cup. The two 3rd placed sides from these groups meet in a Continental Play Off round with the winners of this advancing to the Intercontinental Play Off round against the 5th placed team from the final South America group. All Asian matches have been concluded apart from the Continental Play Off round, with qualifiers confirmed to date as:
Japan – Qualified: Following a spirited showing at the Confederations Cup, the Japanese will be looking forward to returning to Brazil next summer.
Australia – Qualified: Once again validating their decision to opt into the Asian qualification system by securing their place without the need for a testing play off.
Iran – Qualified: Back in the World Cup after missing out in 2010, impressively winning their qualifying group.
South Korea – Qualified: Join their co-hosts from 2002 in Brazil despite a battle to the death with Uzbekistan for 2nd spot in Group A.
African Qualification – 5 World Cup Places Available
The African nations are currently one game away from completing their group stage. Following this the 10 group winners will be drawn into a series of play off games against one another, with the 5 victors of these play offs qualifying for the World Cup. As a result predicting the qualifiers at this stage is a bit of a lottery as any of the sides could be drawn together in the play offs, but I’ve given it a shot below:
Ivory Coast: Already assured of topping their group the Ivory Coast should prove strong enough to overturn any obstacle in their way in the play offs and qualify for Brazil.
Ghana: The Ghanaians should overcome qualification rivals Zambia at home in their final group match to take themselves into the qualifiers. From there they will be hoping to reach the tournament.
Nigeria: Another nation at home to their closest rivals in a decisive group finale. I expect Nigeria to overcome Malawi and given the right draw we should see them in Brazil.
Egypt: Despite being champions of Africa 4 times since 1998, surprisingly the Egyptians have not appeared at a World Cup since 1990. I expect them to break that duck and return to the big time.
Cameroon: A rich recent history in football’s major tournament in the 90s, Cameroon will be a fine addition to next summer’s cast if as predicted here they qualify.
European Qualification – 13 World Cup Places Available
European nations contest one another in a lengthy group stage, with the 9 group winners progressing and the 8 best runners up competing against one another in play off matches for the final 4 spots. Predicted qualifiers below:
Belgium: Despite an away trip to closest rivals Croatia still to come, expect Belgium to come through as group winners and make the World Cup in Brazil for the first time since 2002. With the likes of Benteke, Hazard, Lukaku, Dembele and Kompany among their squad you can also expect this Belgium side to make a big impression at the tournament next year. It would not be out of the question to proclaim them indeed as dark horses to go all the way.
Croatia: Even if they do ultimately fail to overhaul Belgium in Group A, expect Luka Modric and co to make the World Cup via the play off route.
Italy: Well placed to top Group B following a fine showing at this summer’s Confederations Cup, expect the Azzurri to return to Brazil next summer with high hopes of going all the way.
Germany: Running away with the highly competitive Group C, the Germans are nailed on to be turning out in Brazil next summer.
Netherlands: Another side on the verge of qualification with an already huge lead in their group. Can they go one step further than their final appearance in 2010 and go all the way in Brazil?
Switzerland: Having qualified for the last two World Cups, the Swiss will be reliant on the talented Xherdan Shaqiri to help them progress to Brazil.
Portugal: Despite their place still being very much in the balance, expect the Portuguese to qualify via the play offs even if they are beaten to the group winners spot by Russian in the end.
Russia: Under Fabio Capello the Russians should hold off Israel and are currently favourites to win Group F given their games in hand over Portugal. Ultimately expect both sides to make it to Brazil.
England: The English just about remain in the driving seat in Group H. They should win Group H by taking key points from their 3 remaining home games. A huge test in the Ukraine could prove pivotal and of the major nations England are probably most at risk of failing to qualify at the expense of either Ukraine or Montenegro.
Republic of Ireland: Despite currently sat 4th in their group, Ireland are my outsiders to make it through the play off route into the World Cup.
Spain: The World Champions historically have qualified by right for the World Cup. Despite having to put in the ground work this time around the Spanish have already emerged from two encounters with the French as group leaders and should hold on now to secure their spot.
France: The French should win a play off when it really matters and I expect to see them in Brazil next summer.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Expect them to just about maintain their lead at the top of their group over Greece and secure a qualification which will be hailed as a terrific success.
In Part 2 I will look at Oceania qualification and which North and Central American sides are poised to make next summer’s tournament as well as which South American teams will be hoping to gate-crash Brazil's party in not-so-neighbourly fashion.
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