Africa: 53 teams are competing for 5 places (besides host South Africa)
(After a preliminary round in October/November 2007, 48 teams contested the second stage. The 12 group winners and the eight best runner-ups advanced into the third stage, which began in March 2009 in 5 groups.)
Europe: 53 teams, 13 places
(When the group phase of European Zone qualifying reaches its conclusion on 14 October 2009, the nine section winners will be guaranteed a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Thereafter, the eight best runners-up will compete in two-legged play-offs, with the continent's four remaining tickets to the world finals at stake.)
South America: 10 teams, 4.5 places
(The top four go through by right, with the side finishing fifth going into a play-off with the fourth-placed side from the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone.)
Asia: 43 teams, 4.5 places
(After three preliminary rounds, ten Asian teams are currently playing the fourth round which consists of two groups of five teams. The two group winners and the two group runners-up will qualify for the South Africa. The third-placed teams from each group will play a home-and-away play-off, with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation play-off with New Zealand.)
N/C America & Caribbean: 35 teams, 3.5 places
(Twelve teams are contesting Round 3 of North, Central America and Caribbean qualifying. The top two from each of the three groups will advance to the final hexagonal stage, from where three sides will qualify directly for South Africa 2010 and the fourth-placed team will take on the fifth-placed finisher in South American qualifying for a place at the world finals.)
Oceania: 10 teams, 0.5 places
(New Zealand won the Oceanian qualifying section and will now play off against the side who finish fifth in Asian Zone qualifying for a place at South Africa 2010.) NOTE: Australia plays in the Asian qualifyings, not in the Oceanian.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/southamerica/standings/index.html
On topic: Yes, Germany will qualify. As usual.
Lazy game against Liechtenstein last Saturday, next game on Wednesday in Cardiff against Wales will certainly be harder, but also doable. By far the strongest competitor for place one in the qualifying group: Russia.
