by Antonio Martinez

Created on: August 02, 2009

It is roughly 312 days until the World Cup comes to South Africa, and I am more than excited to see what unfolds from here until the final at Johannesburg.

We know that besides South Africa, five other nations have qualified for the World Cup: South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Australia and the Netherlands. Who do I think will make it to South Africa? Who will surprise the world? Who will be left wondering why things went sour?

I will take you to region region, beginning with the CONCACAF region. In the past two World Cups, Mexico, USA and Costa Rica have dominated the region, with Trinidad & Tobago qualifying as well via a play-off against Bahrain. However, El Salvador and Honduras have made a serious dent in the "Big Three." Playing in the road in this region can be hostile, and I seen how hostile the crowds can be. In the end, Costa Rica will edge USA, with Honduras surprising experts finishing about Mexico, who will occupy the fourth spot. El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago round out the table, with a valiant effort, but not enough to go to South Africa.

In South America, it is a very tight race, but Brazil is still in front, and will hold off Chile, Paraguay and Argentina as the top team in the continent. All four will make it to the World Cup, but the bigger question is who will finish fifth? Ecuador currently holds that spot, but I am not convinced that they will hold on to that spot. Uruguay, Colombia and even Venezuela are battling for at least a chance to make a play-off. While Bolivia and Peru are playing for pride, I believe there will be a surprise: Venezuela has been playing great in recent games, and will take that fifth spot, over Ecuador, Uruguay and Colombia.

In Asia, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are in a play off to determine who will play New Zealand. Saudi Arabia wants this more, and they had to battle a really tough group. Their disappointment in finishing third is going to give Saudi Arabia more desire to win, and they will prevail against Bahrain.

In Europe, with the exception of Group 9, the other groups are very competitive. Anything can happen, and there will be surprises along the way. The group winners from Europe will be Denmark, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia and Ireland. Expect Italy, France and Russia to be in contention in the playoff round, with some new faces attempting to make the World Cup: Hungary will off Portugal for second; Israel will overtake Greece for second; the Czech Republic

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