FIFA Report - Euro 2008, Iraq Out of World Cup

Euro 2008

Spain will play Germany to become the European Champions on June 29 in Vienna.

Spain bested Russia 3-0 in Vienna Thursday.

Germany beat Turkey 3-2 on a last minute goal. Turkey was missing key players due to injury and suspension. German sports pundits blasted Germany’s play, saying the team would have to play much better to win

the final.

Germany is playing for its fourth title while Spain is trying for its second.

World Cup Qualifiers

Plenty of matches remain to be played, and the qualification picture is little clearer after the completion of the 100 some matches played between June 14 and 22.

In Asia, rounds three of preliminary qualifying is complete with 10 teams qualifying for round four. Australia, Bahrain, Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and North and South Korea will move on. The teams will be drawn into two groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the World Cup. Round robin matches haven’t been scheduled yet.

Qatar beat Asian Cup champions Iraq in a controversial 1-0 match on Sunday. Iraq appealed to the Asian Football Confederation to remove Qatar for fielding Brazilian-born striker Emerson. The AFC banned Emerson, but ruled Iraq didn’t file in time to replace Qatar.

Iraq’s coach Adnan Hamad quit after the appeal failed, saying he couldn’t do his job due political squabbles at the federation.

In the South American region, Paraguay, Argentina, Columbia and Chile hold the four qualification places. But Brazil, Uruguay, and Venezuela are all within striking distance if the next round of matches on September 6 and 9 goes well for them.

In North America and the Caribbean, 12 teams emerged emerged from the early rounds. The U.S., Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala and Cuba comprise Group 1. Canada, Honduras, Jamaica and Mexico make up Group 2. Group 3 is composed of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Suriname and Haiti. The top team in each group will qualify. Round robin matches start on August 20.

In the African region, the winner of each of the 12 groups and eight runners up will advance to the next round. With at least three games remaining for each squad, no team has pulled away yet.

Briefs…

Former President of the Oceania Football Confederation Charles Dempsey , 86, died Wednesday. Dempsey abstained from the 2006 World Cup vote, a move that made Germany the host instead of South Africa. He was involved in international football for more than 45 years.

Media Watch…

European Club Association boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talks about the importance of ECA lobbying FIFA .

The spat between Christiano Ronaldo and his club team Manchester United heats up as the Man U boss threatens to freeze Ronaldo out.

New Zealand-based website Stuff.com pays tribute to Charlie Dempsey .

Written by Eric Connelly. Click here to see the latest Around the Rings Olympic Bid Power Index -- the only authoritative ranking of the 2016 bid cities.