First qualifiers for World Cup may be known

THE first five qualifiers for next year’s World Cup finals in Germany could be known today, a year and a day before the competition begins.

Champions Brazil or former champions Argentina as well as 2002 co-hosts South Korea and Japan and fellow Asians Iran and Saudi Arabia could all make certain of their places in the finals with either victories or the right combination of other results.

Brazil, who had to qualify for the next finals after a policy change by FIFA in 2001, will maintain their unique record of taking part in every World Cup when they qualify for what will be their 18th finals in Germany. That could be as early as tonight if they beat Argentina in Buenos Aires. Both are virtually assured of a place in the finals by finishing in the top four.