The three matchups of the CAF first round completed with Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Djibouti advancing to the second round. Sierra Leone advanced with a single goal, by Kewullay CONTEH in the first leg, over Guinea-Bissau. Madagascar eliminated another island nation, the Comoros, on a 10-2 aggregate scoreline, and Djibouti won 1-0 in a single match against neighbours Somalia. The three winners will be drawn into their second round groups at the preliminary draw in Durban, South Africa.

Kuwait’s suspension from international football, a result of interference from the Kuwaiti government, was conditionally lifted by FIFA on FRI 09 NOV 2007. The suspension began on TUE 30 OCT 2007 after the Kuwaiti government summarily replaced the Kuwait Football Association’s board of directors; the government-appointed board has since been replaced. Kuwait are due to begin their 2010 Men’s World Cup qualifying campaign in the AFC third round on WED 06 FEB 2008.

A quick summary of action around the AFC first round, which took place MON 08-TUE 30 OCT 2007. Series aggregate scores are shown below. more...

Perhaps the least controversial host selection in FIFA’s history occurred on TUE 30 OCT 2007 as Brazil were chosen as the venue for the 2014 Men’s World Cup. Under the system of continental rotation, it was CONMEBOL’s turn to host, and for some time Brazil had been the front runner; a bid from Colombia was withdrawn. FIFA also decided to stop the continental rotation policy and instead plans to introduce a new rule stating that a country cannot bid for a Men’s World Cup if its confederation hosted one of the previous two.

A quick summary of action around CONMEBOL on TUE 16-WED 17 OCT 2007. more...

The first match of the OFC final round, in which New Zealand were to host Fiji on SAT 13 OCT 2007, was postponed after Fiji’s Simione TAMANISAU was denied a New Zealand entry visa. Goalkeeper Tamanisau was caught by a New Zealand law that bans entry to members of the Fijian military and their families; the father of Tamanisau’s fiancé serves in a Fijian uniform. Considering the matter as a case of political involvement in sport, FIFA decided to prevent the match from going ahead. The return match, on WED 17 OCT 2007 in Lautoka, is unaffected.

A quick summary of action around CONMEBOL on the weekend of SAT 13-SUN 14 OCT 2007. more...

Vanuatu earned their place in the OFC final round with a 2-0 upset win over the Solomon Is, who had been second in OFC qualifying for the 2006 Men’s World Cup. Seule SOROMON and Francois SAKAMA scored on either side of halftime, and shortly after the second goal, the Solomons were awarded a penalty that would have put them back in the game. But Chikau MANSALE saved Commins MENAPI’s attempt, and Vanuatu held on to take bronze at the South Pacific Games and move through. In the gold medal match, New Caledonia edged Fiji 1-0. The two teams will face off again to start the final round on SAT 13 OCT 2007, and Vanuatu will host New Zealand.

Few surprises cropped up in the group phase of the OFC South Pacific Games as the Solomon Is and Fiji won their respective groups. The Solomons won all four matches, conceding only one goal in the process, whilst Fiji took their group on goal difference after drawing their final match against New Caledonia, who also move through to face the Solomon Is in the semifinals. Fiji will meet Vanuatu. Both semifinal winners, plus the bronze medal winners, will advance to the OFC final round with a place at South Africa 2010 the ultimate prize.

The long road to South Africa 2010 has already begun, and the fastest starters so far are Fiji and the Solomon Is. At the South Pacific Games, Fiji got six goals from Osea VAKATALESAU on their way to a 16-0 win over Tuvalu. The Solomon Is won 12-1 over American Samoa, though Ramin OTT saved face for Amer Samoa by scoring their first-ever goal in a Men’s World Cup qualifier. New Caledonia defeated Tahiti 1-0, and Vanuatu earned a 4-0 win over hosts Samoa.

Nearly three years out, qualifiers for the 2010 Men’s World Cup are set to begin with the football tournament at the South Pacific Games, which will also serve as the first round of OFC qualifiers. Three teams will advance to the OFC final round and face New Zealand. Nine of the ten teams in the South Pacific Games are full FIFA members; only Tuvalu are associate members of the OFC. more...

The pairings for the first round of CAF qualifying for the 2010 Men’s World Cup have been drawn, and new FIFA members Comoros will play their first qualifiers against Indian Ocean neighbours Madagascar. The five winners will progress to the CAF second round, where the 43 other CAF members await. The tournament also serves as qualifiers for the 2010 African Nations Cup; therefore, South Africa, hosts and automatic qualifiers, are participating. Should Bafana Bafana win a third round group, another team, using criteria still to be decided, will take the last World Cup place. more...