The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifications have already started. The event, which will take place in Brazil, will feature 32 teams. One place has been automatically assigned to the hosts. However, no place has been given to the defending champions, Spain. Other 31 places will be determined during the whole qualification process, in which 207 teams from 6 FIFA confederations will participate. A number of inter-confederation play-offs occurs at the end of the process. The first match of qualifications took place on 15th June 2011, with the first goal scored by the Belizean striker McCaulay. From that date, there are 128 teams fighting for one of 31 places left in 2012 FIFA World Cup. The group winners will be directly qualified to this prestigious sport event. What is more, eight out of nine group runner-ups will be drawn into 4 home-and-away ties, so that four more qualifiers could be chosen.

England has been assigned to Group “H” in the World Cup qualifications. Other teams in this group are Poland, Ukraine, Montenegro, Moldova and San Marino. So far, on 7th September, England has defeated Moldova by scoring 5 goals. By the end of the 2012, they will have to face Ukraine (match on 11th September), San Marino and Poland (with both events taking place in October). Another six matches are planned for 2013. With most of the players being in a good shape, this team is expected to qualify for 2014 World Cup easily.

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