Record entry for 2010 World Cup

IFA has confirmed a record number of nations will attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

No fewer than 204 of FIFA’s 208 registered national teams have entered the preliminary stages, leaving just the Philippines, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam and Laos outside of the competition.

The total includes Montenegro, who are expected to become the 208th FIFA member association next May, subject to approval by the FIFA Congress.

The previous record was set by the preliminary competition for the 2002 World Cup, when 199 teams entered and 193 teams participated.

Qualification for the tournament begins in August this year, when the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will use the South Pacific Games as a preliminary qualifying tournament for their region.