World Cup 2010
The preliminary draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa took place on November 25 in Durban, South Africa.
Northern Ireland has been paired with Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia and San Marino in Group 3 of the qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The European qualifying draw will produce 13 finalists from the 53 entrants.
Stage one of this preliminary competition will consist of eight groups of six nations and one group of five.
The nine group winners qualify automatically for the finals.
The eight best group runners-up will contest stage two in four two-legged ties with the winners reaching the finals.
The best runners-up will be determined by their results against the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th nations in their respective groups.
The full European draw reads:-
Group One: Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta
Group Two: Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg
Group Three: Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino
Group Four: Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Group Five: Spain, Turkey, Belguim, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia
Group Six: Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group Seven: France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands
Group Eight: Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro
Group Nine: Netherlands, Scotland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland
For further information on the 2010 FIFA World Cup click HERE
