What Is 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying was a series of tournaments from 2007 to 2009, involving 205 national teams competing for 31 spots in the final tournament hosted by South Africa. The final 32nd spot was reserved for South Africa as hosts.

Key Facts

205 national teams entered the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying process across six continental zones
Qualifying matches began in August 2007 and concluded in November 2009
South Africa qualified automatically as host nation, leaving 31 spots open
The UEFA zone (Europe) had 13 qualifying spots available
New Zealand won the OFC zone and advanced to the finals without losing a match

Overview

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying process was a global series of tournaments organized by FIFA to determine which national teams would participate in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It spanned over two years, beginning in August 2007 and concluding in November 2009, with matches played across six continental confederations.

With South Africa qualifying automatically as hosts, the remaining 31 spots were fiercely contested by 205 national teams—the highest number of entries at the time. The qualifying structure varied by region, reflecting differences in team strength, geography, and FIFA's allocation of slots.

205 teams participated in qualifying, setting a record for the most entries in World Cup history up to that point.
The process began in August 2007 with preliminary matches in the AFC (Asia) and OFC (Oceania) zones.
South Africa, as host, did not compete in qualifying and was granted automatic entry into the final tournament.
Qualifying concluded in November 2009, with final intercontinental playoffs deciding the last few participants.
The format included group stages, knockout rounds, and home-and-away ties, depending on the confederation’s rules.

How It Works

The qualification process was structured differently across FIFA's six continental zones, each with its own schedule, format, and number of available spots. Teams competed in regional tournaments to earn one of the 31 available berths in the final World Cup tournament.

Confederations: FIFA divides the world into six confederations—AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North/Central America), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). Each managed its own qualifying process.
Slot Allocation: FIFA allocated spots based on confederation strength and historical performance; UEFA received 13 spots, CAF got 5, and CONMEBOL had 4.5 (with a playoff for the 0.5).
Group Stages: Most zones used round-robin group formats; for example, UEFA had 9 groups, with winners qualifying and runners-up entering playoffs.
Playoffs: Intercontinental playoffs were held between teams from different zones, such as CONMEBOL vs. OFC, where Uruguay defeated Costa Rica in a two-leg tie.
Home-and-Away Ties: Many knockout rounds used aggregate scoring over two legs, with away goals and extra time used to break ties.
Automatic Qualification: Host nation South Africa was the only team guaranteed a spot without playing qualifiers, a standard FIFA practice.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of qualifying formats and outcomes across the six FIFA confederations for the 2010 World Cup:

Confederation	Teams Entered	Qualifying Spots	Final Qualified Teams	Key Detail
AFC (Asia)	43	4.5	5 (Australia via playoff)	Used a multi-stage group system culminating in a final round of 10 teams
CAF (Africa)	53	5	5	First World Cup hosted in Africa, increasing African representation
CONCACAF	35	3.5	4 (USA, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica via playoff)	Final round 'Hexagonal' involved 6 teams playing home-and-away
CONMEBOL	10	4.5	5 (Uruguay via playoff)	Used a single round-robin league; top 4 qualified, 5th place entered playoff
OFC (Oceania)	11	0.5	1 (New Zealand)	New Zealand won all playoff matches, defeating Bahrain in intercontinental tie

This table highlights the disparity in competition formats and access to qualification. While CONMEBOL had a straightforward league system, UEFA and AFC used complex multi-stage tournaments. The OFC had the fewest direct spots, requiring its champion to face a team from another confederation.

Why It Matters

The 2010 qualifying campaign was historically significant due to its scale, global reach, and the spotlight it placed on African football. It also underscored FIFA's evolving qualification policies and the growing competitiveness of traditionally underrepresented regions.

The inclusion of 205 teams demonstrated the World Cup’s expanding global appeal and participation.
South Africa becoming the first African host nation elevated the continent's profile in international football.
New Zealand’s qualification marked their first World Cup appearance since 1982, highlighting progress in Oceania.
The CONCACAF Hexagonal format intensified regional rivalries, especially between the USA and Mexico.
Uruguay’s victory in the intercontinental playoff against Costa Rica marked their return to the World Cup after missing 2006.
The process revealed disparities in FIFA’s slot allocation, fueling debates about fair representation for smaller confederations.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying laid the foundation for future tournaments, setting benchmarks in participation and competitive structure while emphasizing the importance of equitable global access to football’s premier event.