World Cup contenders angle for footholds

The world's most (China) and least (Montserrat) populous soccer-playing countries already have been eliminated, along with half of the rest of the planet. With qualifying for the 2010 men's World Cup in South Africa entering the winter break before next year's stretch run, an even 100 contenders are alive and kicking for the 31 available spots in the quadrennial dance, even if several dozen (e.g. Malta, San Marino, Andorra, Armenia, Peru, United Arab Emirates) are hanging by a toenail.

The sport's perennial Bigfeet - Italy, Brazil, France, Germany, Argentina, England, Spain - are well on their way to checking out summer air schedules to Johannesburg and Cape Town and points between. So is the United States, with a new coach (Bob Bradley) since its three-and-out misadventure in Germany two years ago and with a bunch of Donovans, Bocanegras, and Beasleys still around. The Americans, who will begin final-round play on home soil with archrival Mexico in February, look solid for a sixth straight Cup appearance.

A look at the six continental races:

North/Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) (three berths; fourth-place team faces fifth-place South American team for another spot): Time was when Uncle Sam played second enchilada to Mexico in the region. No more. The Yanquis cruised into the six-team "hexagonal" finale, losing only to Trinidad and Tobago with the youngsters after they'd already advanced. Not so the Mexicans, who crawled in on goal differential ahead of Jamaica after earning just 1 point in their final three matches. "Forever like mice," scoffed the Excelsior daily. Honduras, which won that group, could well qualify for the first time since 1982. "Don't rub your eyes, it really happened," declared La Prensa after the Catrachos blanked Mexico. With returning qualifiers Costa Rica and T&T both very much in the mix, the chase likely will go down to the final day next October. The Americans, who still have the bulk of their 2006 starters along with newcomers like Michael Bradley (the coach's son), Heath Pearce, and Sacha Kljestan, have lost only one home qualifier since 1985.

South America (four berths; fifth-place team plays fourth-place CONCACAF team for another spot): Yes, that's Paraguay atop the table, looking down at Brazil and Argentina. The Guarani, who are 6 points clear with eight matches to play, have done it on the road, where they've piled up 8 points, including a draw at Buenos Aires. The Brazilians, who have won only four of their 10 outings, have played three straight scoreless yawners at home, where coach Dunga has been getting booed. And the Argentines, now coached by Diego Maradona, have been tied twice in their own house. Both of those hardy perennials will get to the Cup finals; Brazil always has and Argentina last missed in 1970. Chile and Uruguay will battle for the last automatic spot. Odd squad out could be Ecuador, which has made it twice in a row but is sitting sixth with a minus-5 goal differential.

Europe (13 berths; nine group winners plus four from playoffs): The continent that provided all four semifinalists last time is shaping up as it usually does. The Italians, Germans, English, Spanish, and Dutch all are comfortably leading their groups with unbeaten records, and the rest of the 2006 qualifiers are within range. Warning flags are up, though, for the Portuguese, who were tied at home by 10-man Albania, and for the French, who have one victory in three matches and are 5 points behind the Lithuanians. Several countries who missed the last dance are looking good for reentry: group leader Denmark, Ireland (with 4 road points), Scotland (second in an easy quintet), and Turkey. The most competitive group includes the Slovaks, Czechs, Poles, and Slovenes, all of whom are within 2 points, while the Greeks, Israelis, and Swiss likely will jostle until the end in their sextet.

Africa (five berths, plus host South Africa): Four first-time qualifiers (Togo, Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana) made it last time, when Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa were displaced. This time, the newbie could be Benin. The Squirrels outpointed the Angolans to make the five-group finals and are drawn with beatable Ghana. Otherwise, the old lions figure to make a comeback. The Nigerians and Cameroonians look strong again, as does Cote d'Ivoire. The nastiest group includes Togo, Cameroon, and four-time qualifier Morocco, two of whom will stay home.

Asia (four spots; third-place teams play off with winner facing New Zealand for another spot): When is Australia a part of Asia? Only in Soccerworld, where the Aussies get to play "neighbors" Japan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan after being moved out of the Oceania zone. The Aussies, who pushed the Italians to the limit in the second round last time, are looking good for a return trip, as are the Japanese. In the other group, returnees South Korea, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are jockeying for two guaranteed spots, with the Koreans 2 points up.

Oceania (plays fifth-place Asian team for berth): After gleefully bidding their Aussie rivals bon voyage, the New Zealanders now are the kings of the islands after outpointing New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu. If they can handle an Asian survivor (likely Saudi Arabia or Qatar), the Kiwis will qualify for the first time since 1982.