Brazil qualified as hosts, while in 2011 as many as 202 other teams began A competition for the remaining 31 starting positions in the FIFA World Cup that concluded over two years later.

In the AFC a row broke out in Fourth Round Group A between Iran and South Korea whose coach complained about the facilities provided in their away fixture, and the East Asian side going on to qualify ahead of Uzbekistan on goal difference after their last match. Australia reached the World Cup in alongside Group B winners Japan despite losing away to Jordan, who faced Uzbekistan in the continent’s fifth round tie between the two third placed sides. After the two could not be separated over two legs the play-off was won by Jordan 9-8 on penalties.

The CONMEBOL qualifying competition saw Argentina, Colombia and Chile negotiate their 16 games more comfortably than above Ecuador, who were hit by the tragic death of Cristian Benitez, and Uruguay who succumbed to defeat in a string of away fixtures. Uruguay were beaten in the table on goal difference, forcing them into an inter-continental play-off against Jordan which they won comfortably 5-0 on aggregate.

The CONCACAF competition saw heavily fancied Mexico almost succumb to complacency and fail to qualify with just two wins from ten games in the Fourth Round group stage, but a final day favour from group winners USA helped them reach fourth place behind Costa Rica and Honduras. Mexico then qualified after a 9-3 aggregate win over comfortable OFC competition winners New Zealand in their inter-continental play-off.

The CAF Second Round group stage saw Morocco, Zambia and Mali eliminated with most of the drama was saved for the Third Round play-offs. Egypt, winners of three of the last five Africa Cups of Nations, were blown apart 6-1 away in Ghana despite winning all but one of their previous group matches, while Burkina Faso were denied entry on away goals when a late winner would have taken them through. In the end all five qualifiers for the 2010 tournament again made it to 2014.

RONALDO WINS TITANIC BATTLE WITH IBRAHIMOVIC

In Europe, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland qualified as comfortable group winners, while Russia, debut finalists Bosnia, England and Spain took longer after close competition from Portugal, Greece, Ukraine and France respectively. In the play-offs, Greece overcame Romania after a strong home performance, while experienced Croatia held their nerve after a 0-0 draw away at minnows Iceland to record a 2-0 win at home and go through. The drama occurred as France needed to overturn a 2-0 defeat away in Ukraine, and did so with a 3-0 victory in Paris, and the highlight was Cristiano Ronaldo’s display away in Sweden as the Ballon D’Or winner’s hat-trick overshadowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s two goals to ensure the giant striker would miss the World Cup after Sweden were beaten 4-2 on aggregate.