Drawing is December 9.

Here they are:

CONCACAF (4):
USA
Mexico
Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago

UEFA (14):
Germany (HOST)
Holland
Poland
Portugal
Spain
England
France
Switzerland
Ukraine
Italy
Croatia
Sweden
Serbia and Montenegro
Czech Republic

Africa (5):
Angola
Ivory Coast
Togo
Ghana
Tunisia

South America (4):
Argentina
Brazil
Ecuador
Paraguay

Asia (4):
Japan
South Korea
Iran
Saudi Arabia

Oceana (1):
Australia

Don't you just want to wrap your arms around Togo and give 'em all a hug?

I'm shocked that Uruguay couldn't close out Australia. Of course, I may still be burning about the Aussie incident 4-5 years ago when they (approximately, per faulty memory) denied entry to the Western Samoan full nationals, leaving the Samoans to send over their U-16 side that Australia dumped 33 goals on in one game.

I'm glad that Bahrain and their seeming death-defiance is gone (TRANSLATION- a Bahrani takes a spill, then it takes about 5 minutes for the magic spray to be applied before the player is ushered off the field, yet comes back to life 3 seconds after reaching the touchline... I was warned about this during the '02 cycle, so to watch it in action against T&T was, um, scintillating).

That means HOORAY Trinidad & Tobago. Former Portland Timber Brent Sancho may very well get some World Cup love! Plus it shows that FIFA was giving too much love to Asia and not enough to CONCACAF.

Oh, the Turks got what they deserved, too. Of course, that opens up all sorts of cans of worms with Swiss running all over Germany, but I digress.

Yeah, I had to laugh off the Turkey loss, as well. Such a mismanaged array of talent. Reminded me of many a Mexican club side! :D

Much better job by the European powers to reassert themselves for this tournament. (Welcome back, Holland!) I expect many of them to pull out all the stops for this showcase on continent soil. Ironically enough, it may come at the host country's expense!

Hug Togo? While I'm sure a few of us could do the job in one afternoon...

Iran should have an interesting time given the recent fatwa against international rules soccer.