Four more teams qualify for World Cup 2010

Johannesburg - After another exciting round of qualifiers, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) would like to congratulate the four teams who booked their ticket to the world football spectacular last night.

Honduras, Argentina, Switzerland and Slovakia have now joined the 19 other teams – including hosts South Africa – from around the world who have already qualified for the tournament.

“As more and more teams qualify for the World Cup next year the focus of the world and its media is beginning to shift toward the reality of the tournament, the teams who will be part of the tournament, the stars in those teams who will grace our fields and the performances we can expect from them,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the OC, Dr Danny Jordaan.

In South America, Argentina grabbed the final qualifying spot in the CONMEBOL region after a qualification stage which went down to the final minute. They now join Brazil, Paraguay and Chile as one of the four teams from this group which have secured automatic qualification to South Africa 2010.

The Chief Executive Officer of the OC, Dr Danny Jordaan said, “The World Cup would not be the same without the presence of Diego Maradona and the Argentinians. With their qualification, fans at next year’s tournament will also be able to watch one of the world’s most talented players in Lionel Messi.”

Maradona’s Albiceleste sealed their qualification with a 1-0 victory in their final qualification match against Uruguay on Wednesday night.

“Argentina has become a fixture in the World Cup and as one of the biggest teams in the history of the tournament, enjoys fanatical support at home and around the world. We look forward to welcoming their fans to South Africa,” Dr Jordaan said.

In Europe, Slovakia booked their ticket to the final by beating Poland 1-0.

“The 2010 Organising Committee congratulates Slovakia on qualifying for the World Cup. We are also eager to welcome their fans when they travel to South Africa next year,” said Jordaan.

They will be joined in South Africa by Switzerland who qualified after drawing against Israel in Basel on Wednesday night.

“This will be Switzerland’s ninth visit to the World Cup finals,” Jordaan said. “The fans travelling to South Africa to support their team next year will receive a warm welcome and will truly experience a uniquely African tournament”.