2010 World Cup Qualifying Draw: UEFA

You just knew there would be a rematch, didn't you? Just four days after Croatia ended England's Euro 2008 dreams, the teams have been paired together in the same UEFA World Cup qualifying group.

England-Croatia, Denmark-Sweden, Germany-Russia and Netherlands-Scotlands are just some of the quality match-ups you will see in European World Cup qualifying.

Here are the European World Cup qualifying groups.

GROUP A: Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungaria, Albania, Malta

Sweden and Denmark get to continue their blood feud.

GROUP B: Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxemberg

A pretty tough group with the top three all capable of winning.

GROUP C: Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino

Czechs should cruise. Poland looked took in Euro qualifying and should earn a second-place play-in spot.

GROUP D: Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

One of the better match-ups, Germany-Russia will be a can't-miss encounter.

GROUP E: Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia, Armenia, Estonia

Spain is rolling these days and I'm not sure Turkey has enough to stop them from winning this group.

GROUP F: Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

England better not focus too hard on Croatia. Not with Ukraine lurking.

GROUP G: France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Romania jut finished a strong Euro qualifying campaign and Serbia is tough so don't pencil in France just yet.

GROUP H: Italy, Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Another tough group, with Ireland staring at a potent top two opponents.

GROUP I: Netherlands, Scotland, Norway, Macedonia, Iceland

Scotland can beat the three teams below and is in good shape for a play-in spot.

For those of you unfamiliar, the nine group winners qualify for the World Cup while the eight best second place teams play head to head for four remaining spots.

What do you think of the groups? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Dutchie]

Well, not unhappy with Holland's draw. Not sure but I think we play one less game? (less countries in group)

[Bill]

A lot of European countries end with "ia". I never realized how many before.

England misses WC 2010, as Croatia and Ukraine finish first and second, respectively.

[Dutchie]

Great. Just realized we must end up as number 1 in order to qualify. Top one goes..

[nick]

gazzetta.it and BBC reporting slightly different groups....I wonder who is right... Here's what they say...

Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland

The difference I noted is Bulgaria and Romania being switched. No doubt Italy having Romania in the group makes it more difficult than Bulgaria. Unless Hristo is making a comeback.

[Fire_Juve10]

Maybe England should look to Roy Hodgson as their new coach. He's English and almost guided Finland to Euro 2008 but just fell short of Portugal and Poland. I know Hodgson was intersted in the Ireland job, but now that England is open, he might try to throw his name in the hat.

[Ives]

Nick, I plugged Romania and Bulgaria into the opposite groups initially. That was the only difference and I've changed it. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Nath]

By the way South Korea will play North Korea

Iraq is in the thoughest group in Asia I tink

[Alex]

I still think Europe gets too many spots in the WC.

[Will]

UEFA has the most teams in its confederation. Hence the 9 groups.

[Pat]

maybe if half of Asia wasnt in UEFA they wouldnt have so many teams.

[ejs]

If not for the Champions League alot of countries would not be in UEFA

[Joamiq]

Conversely, you could make the argument that the best Euro sides that don't qualify are better than the lower Asian/African/American teams that do get in.

[ag nigrin]

I am glad Israel has a shot at getting into the WC this time given the group they drew. It would be their 1st WC appearance since 1970 if they can advance!

[Matt]

Wow, England gets grouped with Croatia & Ukraine. England not in the World Cup 2010? It could happen.

[yojimbo81]

Has no one noticed that Turkey and Armenia are in the same group? Armenia will be dispatched easily on the pitch but the atmosphere will be top notch!

[Dave]

Add Turkey Armenia to the list of WC Qualifiers with some interesting political overtones. Do not sleep on NIR they showed they are a tough bunch defeated sweden and spain at home and tied the swedes away. Now if they can beat the lower teams they could make it in. Also could we call the English v. Kazahkstan matches the Borat Derby. These draws definatly have a good sense of humor.

[Dave]

Does anyone know how good this Montenegro team is? In fact how many players have Serbia lost since their split.

[papa bear]

I'm thinking if Russia v. Germany is a 'can't miss match up' I'm very pleased with how we were drawn. Germany will maybe drop 2 points in all of qualifying unless a nuclear explosion goes off and kills 90% of the professionals in Germany, then we'll drop 4 pts and maybe finish 2nd.

Oh and England is going to be sitting at home like in 1994 after all is said and done. Sorry England fans. They have much bigger problems than just an inept McClaren.

[Richard]

watch out for northern ireland...i have a feeling that their strong euro qualifying campaign was just the beginning...
watch out for finland to surprise russia and germany too...

[YankatOxford]

I watched England B play Belarus in 2006 in the run up to the World Cup. Belarus are no pushovers either, and they won that day in Reading against a strong England reserve squad (Owen, Lennon, Walcott's debut, Jenas, etc).

[oleosmirf]

group 2 is by far the weakest but i wouldn't be shocked to see the Israelis finish on top

[Kazakh Fan]

Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

thats a pretty tuff group,but it isnt going to stop Kazakhstan from loosing.
GO KAZAKHSTAN!!!

[Ced Flanders]

How can you call group B a tough group? Maybe tough to predict but definitely one of the easiest groups to play in.

Group I, with Scotland, Norway and The Netherlands looks like a fun one to watch.

As a Belgian I hope for a slight miracle if we finish ahead of Turkey but behind Spain, but that probably won't happen.