Post by Alexandra on Sept 28, 2008 20:53:22 GMT 1
There is a number of places (teams) each continent is allowed to send to the final tournament (group stage). This number was decided by FIFA, based on the national teams' rankings and performances.
For Europe, the number of places (teams) is 13. So there are 53 teams competing for 13 places.
Eight groups of six teams and one group of five will contest the European qualifying competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The nine group-winners will qualify directly, while the highest ranked eight of the nine second-placed teams will contest home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places. In determining the rank of second-placed teams, the results against teams finishing last in the six-team groups will not be counted for consistency between the five- and six-team groups.
Tiebreakers
If teams are even on points at the end of group play, the tied teams will be ranked as follows:
1. goal difference in all group matches
2. greater number of goals scored in all group matches
3. greater number of points obtained in matches between the tied teams
4. goal difference in matches between the tied teams
5. greater number of goals scored in matches between the tied teams
6. drawing of lots, or a play-off (if approved by FIFA)
For Europe, the number of places (teams) is 13. So there are 53 teams competing for 13 places.
Eight groups of six teams and one group of five will contest the European qualifying competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The nine group-winners will qualify directly, while the highest ranked eight of the nine second-placed teams will contest home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places. In determining the rank of second-placed teams, the results against teams finishing last in the six-team groups will not be counted for consistency between the five- and six-team groups.
Tiebreakers
If teams are even on points at the end of group play, the tied teams will be ranked as follows:
1. goal difference in all group matches
2. greater number of goals scored in all group matches
3. greater number of points obtained in matches between the tied teams
4. goal difference in matches between the tied teams
5. greater number of goals scored in matches between the tied teams
6. drawing of lots, or a play-off (if approved by FIFA)
you! 