Asian Football Confederation : Soccer World Cup 2010
The Asian Football Confederation stretches from Australia's southern island state of Tasmania, through the Far East, across the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, and west to the Arab Middle East. Soccer is the most widely followed sport in Asia.
Number of qualifying slots
Asian nations are playing for a total of 4.5 qualifying spots in Soccer World Cup 2010 (Asia's 5th-best team will play against the Oceania champion for a place in the finals). There was some pressure to reduce Asia's 2006 allocation of 4.5 spots, given their dismal performance in Soccer World Cup 2006.
Afghanistan |
Australia |
Bahrain |
Bangladesh |
Bhutan |
Brunei Darussalam |
Cambodia |
China |
Chinese Taipei |
Guam |
Hong Kong |
India |
Indonesia |
Iran |
Iraq |
Japan |
Jordan |
Kuwait |
Kyrgyzstan |
Laos |
Lebanon |
Macau |
Malaysia |
Maldives |
Mongolia |
Myanmar |
Nepal |
North Korea |
Oman |
Pakistan |
Palestine |
Philippines |
Qatar |
Saudi Arabia |
Singapore |
South Korea |
Sri Lanka |
Syria |
Tajikistan |
Thailand |
Turkmenistan |
United Arab Emirates |
Uzbekistan |
Vietnam |
Yemen |
Qualifiers
The qualifiers are due to be played in 2009.
Asian Football Confederation seedings are largely based on previous Soccer World Cup performances. Australia finished ahead of Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia in Soccer World Cup 2006. This change means Australia will avoid regional heavyweights such as Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran in the group phase of the 2010 qualifiers - substantially improving their chances of reaching Soccer World Cup 2006.
Soccer World Cup 2006
After the outstanding performances in Soccer World Cup 2002, Asia seemed to be playing with a hangover in Soccer World Cup 2006. South Korea and Japan didn't come close to emulating their feats of 2002 (semi-final for South Korea and second round for Japan), failing in the group stages (Saudi Arabia and Iran did no better).
Links
Asian Football Confederation Official Site
References
24 July 2006 |
We welcome input to help improve coverage of the
Asian Football Confederation's build-up to Soccer World Cup 2010
